Many of you think it’s useless – the dedicated 2MP macro module that is there to boost the number of cameras on cheaper phones. But if the phone has autofocus on its ultra wide angle camera, it can produce much higher quality photos.
Is this a feature you use regularly? Or never? Note that we’re specifically asking for macro photography with AF-enabled ultrawide cameras, not dedicated modules like the aforementioned 2MP units or even the higher-quality telemacro modules.
High-end phones like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and iPhone 14 Pro/14 Pro Max have autofocus on their ultrawide cameras to allow for macro photography. Other flagships and high-end phones don’t, including the Galaxy S23/S23+ and iPhone 14/14 Plus.
Macro photos with the ultra-wide-angle camera of the iPhone 14 Pro Max
For whatever reason, Samsung and Apple consider it a premium feature. They are not alone, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra has an ultrawide AF lens, the Xiaomi 13/13 Lite does not.
But that doesn’t actually have to cost premium. For example, the Motorola Edge 30 neo (available for around $300 right now, $400 MSRP) has a 13MP ultrawide camera with 120° lens complete with autofocus. The Nothing Phone (1), which cost €470 at launch and is approaching €350 now, has an even better 50MP ultrawide at 114° with AF.
Another interesting option is to use the telephoto lens instead: that’s what the Xiaomi 13 does, thanks to its mobile lens that allows its 75mm 50MP camera to focus at just 10cm away.
Macro photos with the Xiaomi 13 Pro telephoto lens
Are good quality macro photos something the industry should focus on? Or is it a feature you rarely, if ever, use?
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