Iphone X Camera Vs Iphone 7 Is The Upgrade Worth It For The Photos 2

For many smartphone users, the camera is the deciding factor when upgrading devices. Between the iPhone 7 and the iPhone X, Apple introduced significant hardware and software advancements—especially in photography. But does that translate into a meaningful difference for everyday users? If you're still using an iPhone 7 and wondering whether the jump to the iPhone X improves your photo quality enough to justify the cost, this analysis breaks down every key aspect: sensor performance, low-light capability, portrait mode, dynamic range, and real-world usability.

Sensor and Hardware Evolution

The iPhone 7 features a single 12-megapixel rear camera with an f/1.8 aperture, optical image stabilization (OIS), and a six-element lens. At its release in 2016, it was considered a major leap in mobile photography. However, by 2017, the iPhone X arrived with not just refinements—but a dual-camera system: a 12MP wide-angle lens (f/1.8) and a 12MP telephoto lens (f/2.4) with OIS on both sensors.

This dual setup allows optical zoom up to 2x and enables features like Portrait Mode, which simulates DSLR-style background blur. More importantly, the iPhone X’s sensor captures more light due to improved pixel micro-lensing and deeper photodiodes. While megapixels remained unchanged, the underlying technology saw meaningful gains in quantum efficiency and noise reduction.

Tip: In low-light conditions, hold your iPhone steady for 3–5 seconds after tapping the shutter—the longer exposure helps reduce noise and improve detail.

Low-Light Performance: A Clear Winner

One of the most noticeable improvements between the two models is low-light photography. The iPhone X’s larger focus pixels and enhanced signal processing allow it to capture brighter, cleaner images in dim environments. Nighttime shots taken with the iPhone 7 often appear grainy or overly dark, especially without flash. The iPhone X, while not featuring Night Mode (introduced later), still produces visibly better exposures thanks to smarter tone mapping and reduced high ISO noise.

In practical terms, if you frequently take indoor photos, attend evening events, or enjoy cityscapes at dusk, the iPhone X delivers more usable results straight out of the camera. You’ll see fewer blown-out highlights and more preserved shadow detail, even in challenging lighting.

“Even without computational night modes, the iPhone X represented a turning point where hardware and software began working together to mimic professional-grade exposure control.” — David Lin, Mobile Imaging Analyst at TechLens Review

Portrait Mode and Depth Control

The iPhone 7 lacks any form of depth-sensing camera, meaning all portraits are shot in standard flat mode. The iPhone X, however, uses its dual cameras combined with facial recognition data from the TrueDepth front system to create convincing bokeh effects. This isn’t just about aesthetics—it gives photographers creative control previously unavailable on iPhones.

Portrait Mode on the iPhone X works best in well-lit scenarios but can struggle with fine hair details or backlit subjects. Still, compared to the iPhone 7’s inability to simulate depth at all, the upgrade offers tangible benefits for social media content creators, bloggers, or anyone who values artistic expression in their photos.

Additionally, the iPhone X introduced post-capture depth adjustment—a feature absent on the iPhone 7. After taking a portrait photo, users can tweak the background blur intensity in the Photos app, allowing for greater flexibility during editing.

Image Processing and Smart HDR Foundations

While the iPhone 7 runs on the A10 Fusion chip, the iPhone X uses the more powerful A11 Bionic, which includes a dedicated Neural Engine. This advancement enables faster image signal processing and real-time machine learning tasks—like identifying faces, skies, and textures—for optimized color grading and contrast adjustments.

The iPhone X lays the groundwork for what would become Smart HDR in later models. It intelligently blends multiple exposures per shot, preserving highlight and shadow detail better than the iPhone 7. For example, shooting against the sun might result in a washed-out sky and underexposed subject on the iPhone 7. The iPhone X handles such scenes more gracefully, balancing exposure across different areas of the frame.

Feature	iPhone 7	iPhone X
Rear Cameras	Single 12MP, f/1.8	Dual 12MP (wide + telephoto)
Optical Image Stabilization	Wide only	Both lenses
Portrait Mode	Not available	Yes, with depth control
Low-Light Performance	Average; noisy above ISO 800	Improved; cleaner high ISO output
Front Camera	7MP, f/2.2	7MP, f/2.2 with Portrait Mode support
Video Recording	4K at 30fps	4K at 60fps, extended dynamic range

Real-World Example: Travel Photography Upgrade

Sarah, a travel blogger based in Portland, used her iPhone 7 for three years to document hikes, street food, and cultural festivals. When she upgraded to the iPhone X before a trip to Iceland, she immediately noticed differences in her workflow. Shooting inside dimly lit cafés, the iPhone X captured vibrant colors without requiring flash. During golden hour near Skógafoss waterfall, the dual cameras allowed her to switch seamlessly between wide landscapes and tighter 2x zoomed compositions without losing quality.

Most impactful was her ability to produce portrait-style shots of local artisans with natural-looking background blur—something she previously had to simulate using third-party apps. She reported spending less time editing because the iPhone X delivered better-exposed, higher-fidelity images straight from the camera.

Step-by-Step: How to Maximize Your iPhone X Camera Over the iPhone 7

1. Use Portrait Mode strategically: Ensure even lighting and keep subjects at least 8 feet from the background for accurate edge detection.
2. Leverage 2x optical zoom: Tap the 2x button in the Camera app to avoid digital zoom loss when framing distant subjects.
3. Enable HDR automatically: Go to Settings > Camera > Smart HDR (if available via software updates) to enhance dynamic range.
4. Edit depth after capture: Open a Portrait photo, tap “Edit,” then adjust the f-stop slider to refine blur intensity.
5. Stabilize for low light: Rest your arms against a surface or use a mini tripod for sharper nighttime shots.

Tip: Tap and hold on the screen in the Camera app to lock focus and exposure—ideal for consistent lighting when shooting multiple frames.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the iPhone X take significantly better selfies than the iPhone 7?

Yes. While both have 7MP front cameras, the iPhone X adds Portrait Mode and better tonal rendering thanks to the TrueDepth system. Skin tones appear more natural, and background separation in selfies is far superior—even in mixed lighting.

Is the iPhone X camera still relevant in 2024?

Yes, especially for casual photographers. Though newer models offer Night Mode and Photographic Styles, the iPhone X remains capable of producing excellent daylight and indoor photos. Its dual-camera system and depth controls give it lasting value over the iPhone 7.

Do I need to edit iPhone X photos as much as iPhone 7 photos?

Generally, no. The iPhone X applies more sophisticated noise reduction, white balance correction, and local contrast enhancement in real time. Most users find that photos require minimal tweaking in apps like Lightroom Mobile or Snapseed.

Final Verdict: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

If your primary goal is better photo quality, the upgrade from iPhone 7 to iPhone X is absolutely worth it. The combination of dual cameras, improved low-light performance, Portrait Mode, and advanced image processing represents one of the most substantial generational leaps in iPhone camera history.

You gain creative tools that simply don’t exist on the iPhone 7—optical zoom, depth control, better dynamic range, and cleaner high-ISO performance. These aren’t minor tweaks; they change how you compose, capture, and share images. Whether you're documenting daily life, traveling, or building a personal brand online, the iPhone X empowers you to take more professional-looking photos with less effort.

For long-term satisfaction, the iPhone X also supports newer iOS versions longer than the iPhone 7, ensuring access to future camera software updates and AI-enhanced features that further extend its capabilities.

🚀 Ready to elevate your mobile photography? If you're still on an iPhone 7, now is the time to consider the iPhone X—or a newer model—as a meaningful upgrade for capturing life in richer, clearer detail. Share your own before-and-after experiences in the comments below.