iPhone guides

Get better photos from your boyfriend on any iPhone.

Every iPhone has different lenses and buttons. Find yours below to see exactly which zoom to use, where to hold the phone and what to tell him.

Four rules for every iPhone

  1. 1

    Hold the phone low

    At your waist for full-body photos, at your chest or eyes for portraits. Never pointed down from his eye level.

  2. 2

    Pick the lens for him

    1x for outfits, 2x (or longer on Pro models) for portraits, 0.5x only for scenery.

  3. 3

    Step back, then zoom

    Distance gives natural proportions. Walking close at 1x or 0.5x stretches whatever is nearest the lens.

  4. 4

    Show him the frame

    Take a test shot of him in your spot, or lock the frame in InstaBF, then swap places.

iPhones Apple sells now

  • October 2026

    iPhone Duo

    Zoom options: 0.5x · 1x · 2x

    On iPhone Duo, turn on Duo Preview so you can see yourself on the outer screen while your boyfriend shoots with the rear cameras. Use 2x for portraits, 1x for full-body photos, and let Smart Take catch the frames when you are posing.

    Read the guide

  • September 2026

    iPhone 18 Pro & 18 Pro Max

    Zoom options: 0.5x · 1x · 2x · 4x · 8x

    On iPhone 18 Pro or 18 Pro Max, ask your boyfriend to shoot portraits at 2x or 4x and full-body outfits at 1x or 2x from a few steps back. Save 8x for when he can’t get closer, and 0.5x for big scenery.

    Read the guide

  • September 2025

    iPhone Air

    Zoom options: 1x · 2x

    iPhone Air has a single 48MP rear camera with 1x and 2x. Ask your boyfriend to use 2x for portraits and 1x for full-body photos, and to step back for scenery, because there is no 0.5x ultrawide.

    Read the guide

  • September 2025

    iPhone 17

    Zoom options: 0.5x · 1x · 2x

    On iPhone 17, ask your boyfriend to use 2x for portraits, 1x for full-body outfit photos and 0.5x only for wide scenery with you near the center. Hold the phone at your waist for full-body, at your chest or eye level for portraits.

    Read the guide

  • 2026

    iPhone 17e

    Zoom options: 1x · 2x

    iPhone 17e has one 48MP rear camera with 1x and 2x. Ask your boyfriend to use 2x for portraits and 1x for full-body photos, and to walk back for scenery because there is no ultrawide.

    Read the guide

  • September 2024

    iPhone 16 & 16 Plus

    Zoom options: 0.5x · 1x · 2x

    On iPhone 16 or 16 Plus, ask your boyfriend to use 2x for portraits and 1x for full-body photos. Use 0.5x only for scenery with you near the center, and use Camera Control to shoot instead of tapping the screen.

    Read the guide

Earlier iPhones

  • September 2025

    iPhone 17 Pro & 17 Pro Max

    Zoom options: 0.5x · 1x · 2x · 4x · 8x

    On iPhone 17 Pro or 17 Pro Max, the 4x telephoto is the best lens for portraits of you, and 1x or 2x is best for full-body outfits. Ask your boyfriend to step back and zoom in rather than walk close at 1x.

    Read the guide

  • September 2024

    iPhone 16 Pro & 16 Pro Max

    Zoom options: 0.5x · 1x · 2x · 5x

    On iPhone 16 Pro or 16 Pro Max, ask your boyfriend to use 2x for half-body and full-body photos and 5x for close portraits from further away. Avoid 0.5x for photos of people.

    Read the guide

  • February 2025

    iPhone 16e

    Zoom options: 1x · 2x

    iPhone 16e has one 48MP rear camera with 1x and 2x. Ask your boyfriend to use 2x for portraits and 1x for full-body photos. Set the Action button to open the Camera.

    Read the guide

  • September 2023

    iPhone 15 & 15 Plus

    Zoom options: 0.5x · 1x · 2x

    On iPhone 15 or 15 Plus, ask your boyfriend to use 2x for portraits, 1x for full-body photos and night shots, and 0.5x only for scenery. Press a volume button to take the photo.

    Read the guide

  • September 2023

    iPhone 15 Pro & 15 Pro Max

    Zoom options: 0.5x · 1x · 2x · 3x / 5x

    On iPhone 15 Pro, ask your boyfriend to use the 3x telephoto for portraits; on 15 Pro Max, use 5x if there is space, or 2x if not. Use 1x or 2x for full-body outfit photos.

    Read the guide

Common questions

Which iPhone is best for getting better photos from your boyfriend?

Any recent iPhone can take great photos of you. Pro models add 4x or 5x telephoto lenses that make portraits easier from a distance, and iPhone Duo can show you a live preview on its outer screen while he shoots. Technique matters more than the model.

What is the most important setting for boyfriend photos?

The lens. Use 1x for full-body photos and 2x or longer for portraits, and avoid 0.5x for close photos of people.