Why Did Apple Introduce iPhone Photography To Computational AI?

A smartphone’s photography prowess is an easy shorthand way to show consumers advances in a new smartphone’s hardware and software. The iPhone 11 was no different when it launched on Sept. 20, 2019; Apple’s new camera system addressed a key pain point in every smartphone camera: handling low-light conditions without a flash.

This is Day 25 of 30 Days of iPhone, a look at the moments that shaped the smartphone era.

The iPhone X Camera’s AI Techniques

Apple changed the conversation with its Computational Night Mode. Rather than relying on optics alone, the new night mode used algorithmic stacking. The system took multiple exposures when it detected low-light conditions. It then stacked them and used the A13’s neural engine to create a sharp, clear image, filtering out imperfections like tremors or subject motion.

Placing the images alongside Android-powered contemporaries and the results from different approaches makes it clear. Google’s Night Sight would over-brighten cityscapes at night to gain shots that felt almost daytime. Apple’s tonal approach kept contrast more suited to late evening, with deeper shadows and warmer lights.

The iPhone X Changed Night-time Photography

Apple’s Night Mode was a turning point in smartphone photography. The heavily promoted focus on computational photography arguably made it a higher priority than the physical lens and sensors, bringing standard casual photographs closer to those from dedicated mirrorless cameras.

The algorithmic approach still underpins modern smartphone photography. Multiple shots at different exposure levels, stitched together into a final image, form the foundation of what we see today in Deep Fusion and HDR processing. Casual photography expectations were lifted to heights never seen before, and they have stayed that high ever since.

This is Day 25 of 30 Days of iPhone. Yesterday, we looked at the introduction of Face ID on the iPhone X.