Does low power mode impact iPhone X video recording?

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Level 1

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Does low power mode impact iPhone X video recording?

A few days ago, I recorded about 20 relatively short video clips over the course of about an hour on my iPhone X. I have my camera set to record in 4k 60fps because I can. I then edited these videos in iMovie on my iPhone X intending to export them as 4k videos. It did not give me that option, so I waited until I was at my computer to work from there. The option still wasn't present.

I went to Photos to make sure that these videos were actually shot in 4k, and lo and behold, they were only shot in 1080p at 30fps. I cannot figure out why this would be the case, as all the videos prior to this and after this are saved in 4k 60fps.

Does anyone know why this would be the case? The only thing I can figure is that I may have had my phone in low power mode, but I'm not completely certain, and I don't even know if that would have any impact.

Anyways just thought I'd see if anyone had any insight.

iPhone X, iOS 11.2

Posted on Dec 5, 2017 8:57 AM

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Answer 1

SonictheGr8 Author

Level 1

10 points

Dec 5, 2017 9:27 AM in response to SonictheGr8

After some testing, I found that the camera again reverted to 1080p 30fps. I have no idea why it happened. I put the phone in low power mode and it was fine at 4k. Turned low power mode off, still at 4k. Used the phone a bit, went back to the camera, and it recorded at 1080p.

I noticed that the camera did NOT indicate the resolution when it was in video mode, since 1080p 30fps is the default mode. At least that means that as long as I think to check the resolution displayed in the corner before recording, I can avoid this problem in the future. A quick manual close-out of the camera app and restart fixed the problem.

Of course, that doesn't change the fact that I had taken these videos to showcase the iPhones camera for friends and family, and instead of recording at the MAX resolution it recorded at the bare minimum! Such is life. I'll just have to get over it. The video was pretty dang good anyway!

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Answer 2

Rudegar

Level 10

182,274 points

Dec 5, 2017 9:18 AM in response to SonictheGr8

I would view low power mode as something one puts the device into in an emergency to save battery so it does not close down before one can Reach home and recharge, otherwise it would be mad for it not to be the default state

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Answer 3

SonictheGr8 Author

Level 1

10 points

Dec 5, 2017 9:22 AM in response to Rudegar

That's normally the only situation I would use low power mode. In this case, however, we were away and sharing a charger between several devices. I may have turned on low power mode when I was at maybe 5%, charged it to 50%, then unplugged it to go take these videos. Low power mode doesn't turn off automatically until about 80% I think, and I wouldn't have thought to turn it off manually.

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