Apple just released 3 new iPhones and a 4th generation watch. These are all about the screen and speed and not really big new capabilities. It is all refinement and flawless execution but video fans will look at these phones as a continuation of last year’s specs with a better codec and possibly better bit rates and image quality but not much else. The iPhone X and 8 still remain relevant which is expected in an “s” upgrade cycle.
Gone are the big leaps of frame rates and Apple is capping at 1080p 240fps while completely ignoring rivals like the Galaxy S9, OnePlus 6 and Sony Xperia XZ series when it comes to super slow motion video. Apple was at the forefront of these technologies with the iPhone 6 but now have really rested on their laurels while the competition leapfrogs in video capabilities when it comes to frame rates. Others will point out that even when the high speed is restricted you will now get better quality footage in all modes which is certainly an upgrade.
iPhone Xs Video Recording:
- 4K video recording at 24 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
- 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps or 60 fps
- 720p HD video recording at 30 fps
- Extended dynamic range for video up to 30 fps
- Optical image stabilization for video
- 2x optical zoom; digital zoom up to 6x
- Quad-LED True Tone flash
- Slo‑mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps
- Time‑lapse video with stabilization
- Cinematic video stabilization (1080p and 720p)
- Continuous autofocus video
- Take 8MP still photos while recording 4K video
- Playback zoom
- Video geotagging
- Video formats recorded: HEVC and H.264
- Stereo recording
- A12 Bionic chip
- Next-generation Neural Engine
Introducing iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR — by Apple:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9m_K2Yg7wGQ
iPhone Xs Camera Specs:
- Dual 12MP wide-angle and telephoto cameras
- Wide-angle: ƒ/1.8 aperture
- Telephoto: ƒ/2.4 aperture
- 2x optical zoom; digital zoom up to 10x
- Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control
- Portrait Lighting with five effects (Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono)
- Dual optical image stabilization
- Six‑element lens
- Quad-LED True Tone flash with Slow Sync
- Panorama (up to 63MP)
- Sapphire crystal lens cover
- Backside illumination sensor
- Hybrid IR filter
- Autofocus with Focus Pixels
- Tap to focus with Focus Pixels
- Smart HDR for photos
- Wide color capture for photos and Live Photos
- Local tone mapping
- Advanced red-eye correction
- Exposure control
- Auto image stabilization
- Burst mode
- Timer mode
- Photo geotagging
- Image formats captured: HEIF and JPEG
iPhone Xs TrueDepth Camera:
- 7MP camera
- ƒ/2.2 aperture
- Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control
- Portrait Lighting with five effects (Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono)
- Animoji and Memoji
- 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps or 60 fps
- Smart HDR for photos
- Extended dynamic range for video at 30 fps
- Cinematic video stabilization (1080p and 720p)
- Wide color capture for photos and Live Photos
- Retina Flash
- Backside illumination sensor
- Auto image stabilization
- Burst mode
- Exposure control
- Timer mode
The cameras on all three phones share the same frame rates which go from 120fps 1080p to 240fps at the same resolution. 4k footage still shoots at a maximum of 60fps but now has the ability to shoot in extended dynamic range mode at 30p which is similar to what the Sony Xperia XZ2 and XZ3 series of phones do. We may see the iPhone as the go-to phone for the best quality 4k footage on a handset with Sony being similar or a close second.
iPhone Xs 2018 Pricing:
- iPhone Xs from $999
- iPhone Xs Max from $1,099
- iPhone XR from $749
The OLED panels on the Xs and the Xs Max are similar to what we see on the Sony XZ3 but with a much more expensive entry point. There is no denying that these are the best iPhones released by the company as they are refined super-fast systems with an excellent design but they are not a reason to upgrade even from the still very capable iPhone 8 plus.
5 things that are smaller than the screen on Apple’s new iPhone Xs Max by Washington Post:
Phone development has plateaued when it comes to capabilities and now it is all about screen size, quality of the image and getting rid of lag. The video is very capable on these new phones but being just competitive at the high entry price will put off many buyers. If you want a slow motion phone the new iPhones might be the best at 240fps 1080p but they will not match the frame rates of the OnePlus 6 at 480fps and XZ2, XZ3, Galaxy S9 at 960fps which even at 720p on the Samsungs and a questionable 1080p mode on the Sony due to very low rec time are still the go-to devices for true and real high speed.
Due to the lack of official and or verifiable slow motion and 4k video samples from the phone we will have to wait to share them here until these are the real thing. Rest assured that while quality should be better, your iPhone 8 Plus or iPhone X are still going to be very close in image quality. More to come soon. -HSC
More information about the iPhone Xs, Xs Max, and X R go to the official Apple page: https://www.apple.com/iphone/
Really informative article.Really looking forward to read more. Really Cool.