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How to toggle slow-motion capture speed on your iPhone

The camera app on your iPhone can capture slow-motion video in two different speeds; here's what you need to do to adjust it.

Jason Cipriani
Jason Cipriani
Jason Cipriani Contributing Writer, ZDNet
Jason Cipriani is based out of beautiful Colorado and has been covering mobile technology news and reviewing the latest gadgets for the last six years. His work can also be found on sister site CNET in the How To section, as well as across several more online publications.
Jason Cipriani
2 min read
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When Apple first unveiled the iPhone 6 lineup, it also added the ability to alter the speed at which the Camera app could capture slow-motion video. Previously, the iPhone 5S had been limited to capturing slow-motion at 120 frames per second (fps). But Apple doubled that speed with the iPhone 6, 6 Plus and the more recent iPhone 6S and 6S Plus.

What that means to you is the more frames per second video is captured in, the more dramatic the slow-motion effect will look when played back at the standard 30 or 60fps.

Changing between speeds isn't a straightforward process, and you're likely to set the speed once and never think about it again. Nonetheless, let's take a look at just how you can adjust the speed at which your iPhone captures slow-motion video.

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Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET

Start by opening the Settings app, then scrolling down and tapping on Photos & Camera. Under the Camera section, select Record Slow-mo. There you'll find two options, 1080p HD at 120fps, or 720p HD at 240fps.

As you can see, increasing the frames per second will have an impact on the overall quality of the video you capture. Depending on how picky you are about 720p or 1080p video, you may not mind the difference and the increased slow-motion effect will be worth it. Also worth pointing out is the amount of storage each setting will take up on your device; a stat that's listed just below both options.

Tap on your preferred speed and close the Settings app. Going forward, any time you slide over to the Slo-Mo capture mode in the Camera app your video will be captured based on your preference.

Editors' note: This post was originally published October 9, 2014. It has since been updated with current information.