It still doesnt beat a regular camera, but it could easily be your only camera.
But the XS still has a great camera, capable of some awesome shots.
Night Mode
This is the big change, and one where the XS fails hopelessly.
Apple
Night mode arrived in the iPhone 11.
It then uses the computer to process this image into an incredibly detailed night shot.
Unlike the night mode on Googles Pixel phones, the iPhones still looks like it was taken at night.
Comparison of the iPhone 12 (left) and the iPhone XS (right) night modes.Lifewire / Charlie Sorrel
The iPhone 12 adds night mode to the ultra-wide camera, not just the wide lens.
Telephoto vs 2x Digital Zoom
The iPhone XS has a 2x telephoto lens.
The iPhone 12 has a 0.5x ultra-wide lens instead.
Telephoto views from the iPhone 12 camera (left) and iPhone XS camera (right).Lifewire / Charlie Sorrel
This uses the center of the image, and discards the rest.
This results in an image with fewer pixels, and lower quality.
In low light, the telephotos smaller maximum aperture means that the photos just arent as good.
A comparison of an image taken with Sweater Mode (left) and without (right).Lifewire / Charlie Sorrel
In these shots, Ive further cropped the images so that you could see the difference close-up.
The iPhone 12s image isnt too bad, but it suffers from a crispy, over-sharp look.
The results are similar if you crop the photo after taking it.
A portrait of a rose take with the iPhone 12 (left), the iPhone XS (middle), and processed with the Focos app (right).Lifewire / Charlie Sorrel
The XS images, zoomed by a lens, and using the full sensor, are much better.
The process is seamless.
You should just get better pictures in tricky lighting conditions.
This lens gives spectacular images, with crazy perspectives, and even crazier distortions.
Try putting your subjects face at the edge of the frame if you want them to hate you.
The ultra-wide is a lot of fun, and the XS has no way to play along.
The only downside is that you will often catch your own feet in the picture.
The results are amazing.
I managed to take a portrait shot of a light switch on a white wall.
But, as you might see in the photos, the XS has the edge.
Above, the pink rose portrait taken with the 12 is pretty cool, but not exactly realistic.
The XS gives better portrait results overall, but has more trouble capturing them.
And the 12s night mode is just incredible.
But the XS has better portrait results, and still has a great camera.
Also, the XSs telephoto lens is clearly better than a 2x digital zoom.
But if youre currently happy with your iPhone XS, you might want to think twice about replacing it.
