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iPhone X Why isn't the X getting Smart HDR and depth control.

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Macalicious2011

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Original poster
May 15, 2011
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Why didn't Apple announce that the iPhone X is getting the new computational photography features through a software update?

Given how cutting edge the iPhone X is, surely it would have been possible. My Pixel 2 has those features on lesser hardware.

The features are a big deal and would give the X a new lease on life. After all, it already has great sensors.
 
They played it like these are features enabled by the new A12 Bionic chip. The new features are integrated in the new ISP in the A12 Bionic. I guess it may be possible to do on the older chip, but it would probably be slow and inefficient.

It's also entirely possible that the marketing department had some say in this.
 
I expect they can't do it in realtime on the older model so Apple is being Apple and just not allowing the feature in the first place rather than making it work.
 
kasakka said:
I expect they can't do it in realtime on the older model so Apple is being Apple and just not allowing the feature in the first place rather than making it work.
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You CAN do it in real time. Focos and other apps do this. You can select the aperture and the number of lens elements
 
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JPack said:
Feature rationing.
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Probably. Apple are kings of planned obsolescence and have a history of withholding features that could be delivered via software updates.

Further more, the X was a bit of a first generation product and the successors were bound to be cheaper and better which is why I told my GF to hold off buying an iPhone last year. The 8 Plus looked old and the X was too expensive for what it offers.
 
quaresma said:
You CAN do it in real time. Focos and other apps do this. You can select the aperture and the number of lens elements
Click to expand...

That doesn't mean they do it the same way as Apple does it. I haven't used those apps so I can't say how well they compare with Apple's implementation.
 
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penajmz said:
The reasoning as per Apple is because these phones have the A12 Bionic chip which makes it possible.
Click to expand...

If the A11 is capable of powering face unlock, Animoji, portrait lighting, machine learning and advanced AR then it should be capable of stitching together a series of photos shot at different exposure. Either way, it's Apple's decision but it's a shame given how good components the X has.
 
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Macalicious2011 said:
If the A11 is capable of powering face unlock, animoji, Portrait lighting and advanced AR then it should be capable of stitching together a series of photos shot at different exposure. Either way, it's Apple's decision but it's a shame given how good components the X has.
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More and more each year I see Apple's greed is growing. That also has to do with this. They do that all the time, holding features back from year old phones that seemly are capable of them.
 
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Macalicious2011 said:
Why didn't Apple announce that the iPhone X is getting the new computational photography features through a software update?

Given how cutting edge the iPhone X is, surely it would have been possible. My Pixel 2 has those features on lesser hardware.

The features are a big deal and would give the X a new lease on life. After all, it already has great sensors.
Click to expand...

Oh come on, give Apple a break, they need to save up something for "innovation" for next year
 
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Official answer - the Neural Engine on the A11 only processes 6 billion instructions per second whereas the A12 can do 12 trillion. Therefore not appropriate for the iPhone X/8.

Real answer - Apple needs to keep features off of the older phones in order to differentiate the new ones.

Real real answer - if a 3rd party app can do it on the iPhone X/8, then it's not a problem. Buy that app and be happy. Sure, it's not "built-in", but at least you can do it.
 
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penajmz said:
More and more each year I see Apple's greed is growing. That also has to do with this. They do that all the time, holding features back from year old phones that seemly are capable of them.
Click to expand...
They’ve been doing this since the beginning. The original iPhone didn’t get MMS for no particular reason. iPhone 3G didn’t get home screen wallpapers.
 
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