Skip to Content

Apple Highlights Depth Control on iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR in New Video

by

Apple today uploaded a new video to its YouTube channel that's dedicated to showing off the Depth Control feature available on the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR.

Entitled "The Backdrop," the video features the Depth Control in action on a shot of a woman taken on a busy street with a lot going on in the background.


Depth Control is used to blur the background out, putting the focus on the woman in the picture.

Introduced on Apple's newest iPhones, Depth Control is a Portrait Mode feature. Once you capture a Portrait Mode image, you can use the Depth Control slider to change the amount of blur in the background.

Apple also recently shared a new video on the Smart HDR feature in the new iPhones. Smart HDR is an automatic feature designed to bring out more detail in highlights and lowlights in iPhone photos.


The video was created as a behind-the-scenes look at the techniques used by Jia Zhangke in his recent short film captured to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Top Rated Comments

Hermes Monster Avatar
93 months ago
....why exactly can’t my iPhone X do this but the XR can?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alpi123 Avatar
93 months ago
Congrats Apple marketing to the 1% that will habitually use this feature...
I don't know if the percentage is more but I sure enjoy this feature. Though, I mostly prefer the default setting at which the Portrait Mode blurs the background but I like to play with it, it's cool seeing how the bokeh changes. It's certainly great to have. Even if you just want to remove it, because if you want to force the tele camera, you can do in Portrait and just remove the effect. Otherwise the regular photo setting decides if the tele lens should be used.
[doublepost=1549573431][/doublepost]
....why exactly can’t my iPhone X do this but the XR can?
Just download a third party app. Much more control over the bokeh. I mean, total control.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
colmaclean Avatar
93 months ago
....why exactly can’t my iPhone X do this but the XR can?
Because Apple wants you to buy a newer phone.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple Released Seven New Products Today

Wednesday March 11, 2026 7:05 am PDT by
Starting today, the seven new Apple products that were announced last week are available at Apple Stores and beginning to arrive to customers. The colorful MacBook Neo and all of the other new products are on display at most Apple Store locations around the world starting today. Apple Stores have inventory of the new products for both walk-in customers and Apple Store pickup, but...
iOS 27 Mock Quick

10+ New Features Coming in iOS 27

Friday March 13, 2026 2:13 pm PDT by
We're only three months away from Apple's WWDC 2026 event, which will see the company unveil iOS 27. With the fully revamped version of Siri possibly delayed until September, iOS 27 is shaping up to be the update we wanted iOS 26 to be. There will be new Apple Intelligence features, updates for the iPhone Fold, and more, with the latest rumors summarized below. Foldable iPhone Features...
Apple 50 Years of Thinking Different

Apple Announces 50th Anniversary Plans

Thursday March 12, 2026 6:10 am PDT by
Apple today announced that it will celebrate the company's 50th anniversary over the coming weeks, but it has yet to reveal any specific plans. Apple was founded on April 1, 1976, so the company will turn 50 on April 1, 2026. "While Apple is known for looking forward, this milestone offers a special moment to reflect on the journey that has brought the company here, to celebrate the...