Apple launches iOS 10.1, brings Portrait mode to the iPhone 7 Plus

By Christian de Looper Published October 24, 2016

Apple has released iOS 10.1, the first revision of its popular iOS 10. The update is an incremental one, but it adds some pretty cool new features — most notably Portrait mode on the iPhone 7 Plus.

Portrait mode on the iPhone has been in the works for months now, but while it’s finally rolling out to customers, it seems as though the feature isn’t completely finished just yet. After you update to iOS 10.1, open up the camera app, and swipe down to Portrait mode, you’ll be asked if you want to “try the beta.” Thankfully, while the feature may not be completely finished just yet, it seems to produce some pretty nice shots.

Recommended Videos

In case you missed Apple’s announcement, Portrait mode basically uses the iPhone 7 Plus’ two camera sensors at the same time — the standard 12-megapixel sensor takes a photo as usual, then the second sensor, which is a wide-angle sensor, is used to see how far away the subject is. When used together, the effect is a blurry background with a sharp and in-focus primary subject. The system actually uses a nine-layer depth map, so it’ll subtly blur parts of the image that are closer, and more intensely blur the background.

galaxy s7 edge catches fire version 1477332136 14458983 10153705094215356 1068610954 n 720x960 — 1. Without Portrait
2. With Portrait

galaxy s7 edge catches fire version 1477332136 14459884 10153705094300356 1563485353 n 720x960 — 1. Without Portrait
2. With Portrait

Of course, since the feature is in beta it’s not perfect just yet, however the kinks will likely be ironed out over the next few weeks and months. In the meantime, you can test it out for yourself by making sure you have iOS 10.1 and heading to the camera app.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Portrait mode isn’t the only new feature in iOS 10.1, but it is the most important. Along with it, you’ll also get a few bug fixes as well as transit support for directions in Japan.

Topics

Christian de Looper

Contributor

Christian de Looper is a long-time freelance writer who has covered every facet of the consumer tech and electric vehicle…

Mobile

Oppo’s next phone has an iPhone 16 Pro-beating feature

Close up of the Find X8 Pro camera on a colorful background

Oppo's compact flagship phone is close to launching, is confirmed to be called the Oppo Find X8s. The company has been teasing its advancements over the competition fervently and recently threw light on the phone's display upgrades over other phones, including one way it beats the iPhone 16 Pro.

The Oppo Find X8s is claimed to feature extremely thin bezels along all four sides of its display. Zhou Yibao, the product manager for Oppo's flagship Find series, shared an image on Chinese social media Weibo comparing the bezels on the upcoming compact phone -- previously speculated to be called the Find X8 Mini -- with those on what appears to be an iPhone 16 Pro or the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Mobile

iPhone 17 Air might not serve a price shock, after all

Alleged concept render of the iPhone 17 Air in black.

Ever since we first heard murmurs of Apple prepping an ultra-slim iPhone, speculations were rife about a fittingly high asking price. But it seems buyers won’t get hit with an absurd “innovation tax” for the iPhone 17 Air model later this year.
According to Bloomberg, the upcoming phone might be priced at “roughly $900.” To put that into perspective, that’s the same asking price as the iPhone 16 Plus. To recall, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to replace the “Plus” model in Apple’s line-up later this year.

A few pleasant surprises
The package, however, is going to be a mixed bag of surprises. For example, the slim phone is expected to offer a 6.6-inch display, but it will borrow the ProMotion display tech from the pricier Pro models. So far, the high refresh rate perk has been exclusive to Apple’s flagship iPhones and iPads.

Mobile

We just got our best look yet at the iPhone 17 Air

Face ID on the iPhone 16e

As the release for the iPhone 17 draws ever closer (expected in September 2025), more leaks have emerged — and now a set of dummy units give us a close look at the entire lineup, but specifically the iPhone 17 Air. This handset has been the source of quite a bit of speculation and rumors, and a peek at its profile shows a phone even slimmer than we had imagined.

The leaks come courtesy of Sonny Dickson, a well-known tipster. Dickson shared the images on X. It's important to remember that these units are chunks of metal; they have no electronics inside them, so we can't gauge specs based on the design. It does give us a firm look at the profile, however, and an idea of the placement of various components.