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 The iPhone phones did not reach the position they are in now because of their special splendor represented in the "luxury of the apple" only, but also for their mighty equipment in general, and for their distinctive cameras in particular. By using the iPhone camera, you can document your moments in the best possible way and quality, whether at the level of photos or video clips in various forms, but did you know that this camera does much more than just take photos and videos? If you did not know that, get ready now to learn about some of the features that may completely change your perspective towards these carefully crafted cameras that can replace professional cameras, and sometimes even outperform them due to upcoming features, and others.

Uses and features of the iPhone camera

Use the iPhone camera as a computer webcam

In 2022, during the WWDC 22 conference, Apple introduced a new feature within the macOS Ventura and iOS 16 updates called the Continuity Camera, which allows users of computers and Macs to use the iPhone’s rear camera as a webcam to get clearer image quality in video communication applications such as FaceTime and Zoom and others. Among the requirements for this feature to work is to use a holder to install the phone and ensure that the camera does not shake, After all, conditions are met, the feature establishes a wireless connection between the computer and the phone and identifies itself as a stand-alone webcam next to the built-in webcam.

Once the connection is successfully established, the capabilities of the iPhone's rear camera can be leveraged in apps with cool effects like Center Stage which keeps you centered on the camera frame as you move, Portrait mode to blur the background, and Studio Light mode that blurs the background and focuses the light on your face — without Reliance on an external light source. You can learn about how the feature works and how to use it through Apple support, but if you are using a Windows computer, the “Continuity Camera” feature will not help you, while our previous topic about converting the iPhone camera into a computer webcam will help you, as we explained an effective method for Windows users.

Transcribe and translate texts in real-time

When we encounter a text written in a foreign language and we want to know its content, in normal circumstances we may resort to Google Translate or even to a specialized translator, but sometimes we encounter texts that we want to know their translation quickly, or they are written inside a book or a sign that we cannot extract the text from and put it into translation utilities. In such cases, the iPhone camera stands out - thanks to the "Live Text" feature - as an excellent solution that makes us independent from others. This feature allows interaction with the filmed content in real-time, including real-time recognition and translation of texts.

Text recognition and translation

In order to use this feature, you must first make sure that your phone is running iOS 15 or above, in addition to making sure that the Live Text feature is enabled by going to “Settings” then “General” and pressing “Language & Region” and activating Live Text option. Thus, when standing with the camera on any foreign text, a yellow icon will appear below, Press it and wait until the text is recognized, and by pressing the “Translate” button that appears in front of you, the text will be translated immediately.

It is worth noting that the feature is also available after taking a picture of the text, Just open an image or stop a video containing the text within the “Photos” application and press the Live Text icon at the bottom of the screen to analyze the content of the image, then the “Translate” option will appear, click it to translate the text. 

In general, it is a great feature, but its disadvantage is that it is somewhat limited, and for this reason, its developers made it possible to copy the texts and put them in any other translator if you wanted to get more accurate results. However, this feature will save you a lot, especially if you are constantly exposed to foreign texts that need a quick translation. Like those on menus for example!

Convert between units of measure and currencies

The Live Text feature is not only used for translating and transcribing texts but also makes it easier for you to convert between currencies and units of measure as you like. You no longer have to remember the relationship between feet and meters, or inches and yards, etc., though we advise you to constantly use your brain and not rely on technology unless necessary. In addition to converting between units of measure, you can also use your iPhone's camera to convert between currencies in real time.

In order to do all this, you just have to set the camera on the number you want to convert and make sure that it is inside the frame so that the yellow icon appears at the bottom - as we did in the texts - and once the numbers are recognized, you will immediately see the "currency conversion" procedure if it is discovered that the number refers to the amount of money, or the "Unit conversion" procedure appears for you to choose the unit you want to convert the number to. In general, it is a great feature that will save you time and save you a lot.

Measure things

If you think that the aforementioned features are not as useful as they are, what do you say when you know that the iPhone camera will dispense with measuring tools (such as a ruler)? Using it - thanks to Augmented Reality (AR) technology - you can measure the length and width of objects and discover the dimensions of rectangular objects, and even their distance from you. I'll give you a little more hair and tell you that if you have an iPhone 12 Pro or later, you can measure more things with great accuracy, including people's height (from floor to top of head, hat, or hair) thanks to LiDAR that fires a hidden laser beam on objects in order to collect their data with great accuracy.

Generally, you can use this feature to measure objects thanks to the Measure app, which is pre-installed on all iPhones. After launching it, follow any on-screen instructions that prompt you to move the phone around the object being measured so that the app forms a frame of reference for the object and the surface it is on... Keep moving the device until a circle with a dot in the middle appears. Move the phone, so that this point is on the point where the measurement starts, then press the plus sign (+) then move the camera so that the point is on the point where the measurement ends, then press (+) again to get the measurement between the two starting points and finish.

Scan documents and QR codes

Instead of relying on unreliable third-party applications to scan documents and read QR codes, iPhone cameras provide an advantage that eliminates these applications, and of course, it is very safe and professional. As for document scanning, you can do so using the Notes or Files application as there is a built-in scanner to digitize any documents.

To take advantage of this feature, all you have to do is open the "Files" application and go to any folder and then tap and hold on an empty area to bring up the list of options, then press "Scan Documents". You can also open the Notes app, create a new note, and then tap the Camera icon at the bottom to choose Scan Text.

The camera will now open for you and the phone will begin to recognize the document frame, where you will see a yellow square that marks the document, Once it is set in the camera frame, press the circular “shutter” button below to take a scan of the document, then drag the corners to adjust the scan until it matches the page, then press Click on “Keep Scan” and after previewing, click on “Save” or add additional scans to the document. After saving, you can fine-tune edges, make the document black and white only, rotate documents, or crop parts of them. In the end, hit "Done" to store this document as an "Image" or as a PDF.

As for the QR codes, which have spread widely in the recent period, all you will do to check them is point the iPhone camera towards them and it will translate the code and display its contents in a notification below. If it includes a URL link, you can click on the notification to open the link in the default browser. This feature will be very useful to you in restaurants - for example - that offer their menu in the form of a QR code, or when checking Wi-Fi networks, etc. of the many other services that depend on this feature.

Zoom in on nearby items

The magnifier is another feature worth noting, as it allows you to turn your iPhone's camera into a magnifying glass so that you can magnify very small objects and see them clearly. However, because the way the feature is turned on may interfere with the daily use of the phone, it is disabled by default. So if you want to try it, all you have to do is open the "Magnifier" application from the home screen, and if you do not find it, go to the Application Library, then search in the "Utilities" folder.

After opening the application, the camera will be turned on in the magnifying glass mode. You will find a bar below, slide it to adjust the zoom level. And an important tip, place the phone on any stable surface instead of holding it while zooming in until you get stable and stable images. While zoomed in, you can do things like turn on color filters, turn on the flash, or invert colors. To lock the photo to a specific frame, press the circular "shutter" button at the bottom. To save the photo to your phone, press and hold the photo, tap Share, and select Save Photo from the menu.

Learn about strange things

How many times have you been to a restaurant - I don't know why all the features apply to restaurants perfectly - and saw a strange ingredient that you don't know what it is? I believe that this example or something similar has happened to you many times, and that is why Apple has put this wonderful feature in its phone cameras in order to dispel your confusion and answer the question: “What is this thing?” 

Use this feature:

• Take a picture of the things you don't know what they are 
• Press the Info icon that looks like the letter "i" 

You will see the definition of all the things in the picture and satisfy your natural curiosity.

These were the 7 best features we have seen from iPhone cameras – with iOS 15 and above – but there are certainly other features that you may think are better than the aforementioned, and for this, we urge you to share with us your personal preferences for the features of these superior cameras so that everyone can benefit.