SirNickity wrote:OK, it's clear at this point we just disagree -- and that's fine. But, eh, I enjoy a good argument -- nodding in agreement gets boring quickly -- so just for funsies...
I wonder if you're capable of looking outside the boundaries of your own aesthetic? Is it beautiful? No, not particularly. It's different and draws attention to itself, and we're wired to appreciate symmetry and the things we find familiar. In three years, will it be as striking as it is now? Probably not. But more importantly, it solves a technical problem without resorting to fiddly workarounds. That is what I mean by "elegant."
It doesn’t solve my problem, it makes the phone F-ugly. If the solution is ugly but only “practical” then it is not, never, “elegant”. In Brazilian words, it’s “Gambiarra”. The English term is probably “Quick Fix” or “Dirty fix”.
SirNickity wrote:
I wish I had kept track on my recent vacation how many times my SO said "you should take a picture of this with your fancy camera -- my phone wouldn't do it justice." Couldn't zoom out enough, couldn't zoom in enough, couldn't handle the dynamic range, couldn't get enough light. The 11's sensor and lenses either fixes, or works around*, all of these. (* Albeit in software, perhaps -- but the bits have to exist for the software to do something with them. That tiny sensor is pulling off some impressive low-light performance. Punching well above its class.)
Pro photographers will just use a camera. They're purpose built and still better. (Although "the best camera is the one you have with you.") Laypeople will appreciate the added flexibility. Laypeople would not bother to buy, or bring with them, extra pinky-nail sized lenses.
Your words about the sensor are just pure bullshit. Their phones can do the job, they are just being humble to you. You have a contradiction here. You accept a software that does the job for the three cameras, but don’t accept that I can use an app (software) to do the same job in an older iPhone with only one camera.
I have no problem with detachable small lenses. You want the extra lenses? Then buy them separately. Or, if you wanna insist on that, Make the pro model use the ugly design but keep the standard model with just one camera. But no, Apple kept the squared ugly design with two cameras for both models and this is where my complaint about their design team starts. All I want is Apple to stop doing their stupid design of protruding cameras, particularly the new squared one. In this aspect, the iPhone 4S was just perfect.
The right thing to do in a vacation is take with you a DSLR. Period. Use a camera for photos, not a phone. At least we agree on one thing: Professionals will just use a camera.
I don’t appreciate the three camera lenses because it is a quick, dirty fix from Apple, that destroys the good beautiful design the iPhone once had. It’s proof that Apple can’t do the job like they used to do before (create good phones).
SirNickity wrote:
On the other hand... less chance of scratching the rear surface if it isn't flat on another surface, grinding against it every time it's moved. I'm not saying "it's a feature" but a mm thicker or thinner at this point is not really a make-or-break situation. I would argue that we need to have a little more variety in screen size than thickness.
WRONG. More chance of scratching. The protruding camera scratches a lot, the phone corners will scratch even more. Also, it makes harder to use the phone when it is left flat on a table. You have to use a case to be able to use it on a table and this is ridiculous, it’s impossible to leave the phone on a table without a case. I am against more variety in screen sizes because this is nightmare for front-end designers. I prefer small screens because it’s what I am used to. When Apple launches two phone models, I always go for the smaller one.
About the phone thickness or thinness, the smaller the better, for me it is a make-or-break decision, I don’t like thicker phones and I hate my phone case for that, but I have to use because scratches...
I saw a Xiaomi model, from a friend of mine, sitting flat on a table. No scratches. Even though it was sliding all over the table. Really. No scratches! And no protruding camera. This is good design.
SirNickity wrote:
Today's model of my camera would cost about $1200 for the body alone. Lenses extra. It will spank the iPhone sensor, for sure. And a full-frame Canon will beat mine. That said, in a wide range of situations, the Canon will be negligibly better than mine, and mine will be better than a really good iPhone 11 photo -- but not by so much that it is striking. "There's no substitute for cubic inches" with sensors, but the software is closing the gap to a degree that you have to commit some time to honing your skills, some money to building up equipment, and then care enough about what remains, for the difference to really matter.
I disagree that the software is closing the gap. From what I saw testing the 11 model, it will never match the quality of a real camera. I was not impressed.
SirNickity wrote:
The question is answered: You probably shouldn't. Your phone is still current. Check back in four years.
I am 100% sure that I don’t need it. Rumor has it that in 2020 the new models will be similar to the 4S model in design (not in size, unfortunately). I just hope they make a model with just one camera and no protruding design or squared design. I just hope they don’t get more thicker. Then I would really buy it. As of now, my love for Apple has decreased to a point where I just like what they do with their operating systems (macOS, iOS). But hardware design? I’m still laughing hard at the Mac Pro “Cheese Crater”... I could build a hackintosh with a more beautiful case and the same, if not better, specs (or performance) for less money.
"Design isn't just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works."
JOBS, Steve.
READ: Right to Repair sucks and is illegal!