When Apple revealed one of the iPhone’s new camera features during its September keynote yesterday, I was pumped on the idea that it was probably going to come to other iPhone models via iOS13. Alas, QuickTake video will only be available on the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro devices.
The feature is pretty basic, but it makes switching from photo to video mode in the camera app way quicker and easier. Instead of having to spin the wheel to select the mode, QuickTake lets you simply hold down the photo button to take video in kind of the same way Snapchat or Instagram Stories work.
And that’s the thing, I figured if these social media platforms could make it work, surely it’d just be a software update for older iPhone models (within reason), right? Nope, not the case, unfortunately.
During a briefing at Apple HQ in Cupertino on Tuesday, I was told that QuickTake actually utilises an element of the new hardware in the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro. In other words, older models simply don’t have the guts, if you get what I’m saying.
That’s not to say that they couldn’t flat-out do it, it could just be that the experience wouldn’t be as smooth, and when you’re talking about a feature that exists exclusively to save you time, it’s gotta be snappy. Otherwise, what’s the point?
While QuickTake on its own certainly isn’t enough to warrant the pricey new iPhone 11 Pro/Pro Max, I found the three-camera system to be incredibly impressive. If you’re a photography nut of any variety and you’re in the market for a new phone, it’s certainly one to keep in mind.