X
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

The iPhone 7 Plus' 'portrait' mode does background blur better

The public beta of iOS 10.1 brings the iPhone 7 Plus depth-of-field effect -- and a perfect excuse for us to post pretty pictures of passersby.

James Martin
James Martin is the Managing Editor of Photography at CNET. His photos capture technology's impact on society - from the widening wealth gap in San Francisco, to the European refugee crisis and Rwanda's efforts to improve health care. From the technology pioneers of Google and Facebook, photographing Apple's Steve Jobs and Tim Cook, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Google's Sundar Pichai, to the most groundbreaking launches at Apple and NASA, his is a dream job for any documentary photography and journalist with a love for technology. Exhibited widely, syndicated and reprinted thousands of times over the years, James follows the people and places behind the technology changing our world, bringing their stories and ideas to life.
James Martin
fullsizerender-5.jpg
1 of 10 James Martin/CNET

With two rear cameras that can blend images into one, the iPhone 7 Plus can take shots that other phones can't. iOS 10.1 will unlock the so-called depth-of-field feature that allows the phone to blur the background while keeping the foreground subject in focus. It's not unlike the "bokeh" effect found on higher-end mirrorless cameras. (We used the 10.1 public beta for these photos; quality on the final version may differ.)

The depth effect takes photos from looking like a simple snapshot, to a portrait. This one would look good on the wall or the desk at work.

img1454.jpg
2 of 10 James Martin/CNET

Makeda, from Atlanta, on a bright San Francisco street. Note that you can neither read the sign on the left, nor see the face of the man on the right.

fullsizerender-4.jpg
3 of 10 James Martin/CNET

Another good one for the family album.

fullsizerender.jpg
4 of 10 James Martin/CNET

In capturing fellow CNET photographer Josh Miller here, we see that the blurred background depth effect works best in optimal lighting conditions.

fullsizerender-3.jpg
5 of 10

In dimly lit environments, depth effect doesn't work, but this portrait shot on an Oakland, California, street at night lit by only a marquee, came out just fine.

fullsizerender.jpg
6 of 10 James Martin/CNET

The background here is far brighter than the subject in the foreground, but you still get a usable shot.

fullsizerender-6.jpg
7 of 10 James Martin/CNET

'Portrait' looks great shooting at the beach in Alameda, where the busyness of the beach fades away and we can focus on the person.

img1447.jpg
8 of 10 James Martin/CNET

Back outside -- but out of direct sunlight -- but the blur effect dovetails nicely with the "vanishing point" perspective of the street.

We'll continue to test this effect on the iPhone 7 Plus as it moves from the beta to the final version available to all iOS users later this year.

fullsizerender-5.jpg
9 of 10 James Martin/CNET

Again in dim evening light, this portrait of musician Keith Kanoff is really set off with the blur of the background lights.

fullsizerender-4.jpg
10 of 10 James Martin/CNET

Busy backgrounds can be distracting, but with the blurred background depth effect, distracting background elements fade away and we can focus on the person.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos