iPhone XR camera issues

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It's a really involved subject and the only practical advice I can offer is do some testing with the different camera settings available and find which you prefer. Obviously you can select or deselect the HDR option(s) but there is also the file format used. Under Settings>Camera>Formats you can choose between High Efficiency or Most Compatible (ie. jpg), the HE setting reduces file size but shouldn't affect quality, in fact Apple and some others say it's better, but the pics I've taken on my X don't confirm that because I prefer the jpg's. Likewise under the Photos setting you have options when transferring to the computer.

Again, it's just my preference but taking the shot with Apple's camera app and Halide I end up preferring the latter most of the time, now that could be due to how the app processes the image or it might be influenced by Halide saving a slightly larger file.

All I can say is you need to experiment a bit because I can't believe Apple have actually gone backwards in this area, there's no doubt the Xr hardware has far more potential than previous iDevices, you might just have to find out how best to use it.

One thing I have noticed and that's when taking shots in falling light conditions, I'm tending to engage flash more often than before (or I believe I am) because to result without appears almost artificial and lacking detail, overly smoothed and blocky. Now that could be Apple just changing the processing on how images under those conditions are created, going for a reduced pixelated affect at the expense of other issues like sacrificing edge detail.

Not sure what else I can add other that don't give up on the Xr just yet.

The above was taken yesterday and is straight off the X with no adjustments.

I was going to suggest you do a search because a few others have commented same for both Xr and Xs but I see you have already replied in another discussion, so I will forget that.

This is just my view and may be incorrect, but I haven't seen any really change to the quality of images on my X, and I've had the device from release so that covers iOS11 and now 12, so I don't believe it's entirely software related. I believe with the release of the new iPhones came new hardware and a different way to capture the image (the merging of more shots) that might be giving some users cause for concern under certain conditions.

Have a read through this blog for a more detailed comparison on how Apple are now doing the imaging a little differently.

https://blog.halide.cam/iphone-xs-why-its-a-whole-new-camera-ddf9780d714c

I'm not sure which options are available for the Xr under the camera setting, but you could experiment by turning off Smart HDR/Auto HDR or any other "processed" option and see what the differences are with respect to sharpness and pixelation, also using a different camera app may alter how things are ultimately processed and displayed.

On my X with Auto HDR you can opt to keep the "normal" image as well, and under certain conditions you can end up preferring one to the other, likewise using another app can result in same, so in the end you just have to find what works best under which conditions.

The blog does say that Apple's new way is in early days, and as software gets better it should improve because it's taking better advantage of the hardware, time will tell.

Hope some of the above is of interest.

I believe the reason your pic looks the way it does is down to low light, I get similar on X but not as bad, try taking another at the same time but force the flash to come on, you may be surprised at the result (note, you can use flash even in daylight, the camera will compensate to get a good final result - on an SLR it’s known as “fill flash”).

I can only speculate as to why the Xr makes such a bad showing in poor light but I believe it’s largely down to how the image is built/processed, if you use Smart HDR the process takes several images and combines for the end result, but to avoid blur they have to be taken at a higher shutter speed than would be normal. That high speed in low light results in a pixelated/grainy affect, Apple then combat that by smoothing (I’ve always preferred slight image noise to over smoothing).

As previously suggested you can turn off Smart HDR under the Camera Settings, in low light you may just prefer the results. I think if you turn off Smart HDR under Settings you still might have the option to turn HDR on/off within the Camera app itself, similar to flash (you can on my X but not sure about Xr).

Regarding Raw, yes, you normally have to post edit because the out of camera picture is usually “flat” and somewhat darker, if you like the default then after a little tweaking it should blow you away. Don’t forget jpg though, Halide make a good go at that and you have no messing around afterwards, look under its settings because you may be able to save both at the same time.

https://chromanoir.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000998312-Why-does-RAW-looks-blurry-

https://chromanoir.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360007628692-Shooting-RAW

http://darkroom.co

I’d say you have some experimenting ahead of you, when I got the X the first few weeks was spent taking every pic with different settings and between several camera apps. Then during the evenings comparing the results on the iMac’s screen.

You soon get to appreciate what works and what doesn’t, and I then decided on Settings and app to use thereafter. Yes, a bit of effort but worth it, especially if you keep the device for a few years as I will with the X (think I has the SE for 3 years).

As I said before, you have great hardware, just spend a little time and find what works best and if you can enjoy yourself while doing it.