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OuttaFocus

About

In OuttaFocus, we go beyond our in-depth reviews where we find out if the camera on a new smartphone is good or bad. Instead, join us on a more personal journey as we discuss what they are like to use, the photos you can take, what makes us love them, and how they can make you more creative. You’ll find a new entry every other Saturday.

Andy Boxall
Andy Boxall
Senior Mobile Writer
The main image for Digital Trends' OuttaFocus column.

The Pixel 9’s top camera feature makes me very uncomfortable

Google is leaning heavily on the new AI-driven Add Me mode to sell the Pixel 9's camera, but this reliance makes me uncomfortable for several reasons.
Mobile
Andy Boxall
A person holding the open Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6

One amazing photo showed me what’s wrong with Samsung’s cameras

When I took the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and another folding phone to a car event, one photo showed me where Samsung is going wrong with its cameras.
Mobile
Andy Boxall
The Rabbit R1 shown in the Outtafocus column's main image.

The worst gadget of 2024 has a killer camera feature

The Rabbit R1 isn't very good, but beneath the mediocre camera hides a really cool feature that just might make it worth buying after all.
Mobile
Andy Boxall
Outtafocus column lead image with the Nokia 3210.

I tried using a phone with a 2MP camera. These were the 5 worst things about it

I set myself a task: use a 2MP phone camera in 2024. I quickly discovered just how bad things were with phone cameras 20 years ago.
Mobile
Andy Boxall
Outtafocus column main image showing the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra.

I used a phone you should only buy for the incredible camera

The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra isn't a phone for the unprepared, but as a camera, it's spectacular. See why it should be your next camera, but not your next phone.
Andy Boxall
A person holding the iPad Air (2024) and taking a photo.

I used an iPad as my main camera, and what happened amazed me

I used the iPad Air (2024) as my main camera, but little did I know it would make me question how good the iPhone 15 Pro Max's camera is.
Andy Boxall
Main title image for the Outtafocus column.

My Google Pixel phone turned my photos into AI nightmares

Will AI take over the world? Who knows. But after using the Pixel 8a's Magic Editor on photos of animals, I'm more scared of it than ever.
Andy Boxall
A person wearing an Apple Watch Series 9, made for the OuttaFocus column.

The Apple Watch is the best iPhone camera accessory you didn’t know you needed

Is it possible a smartwatch can help you take more interesting and unique photos? Yes, thanks to an Apple Watch feature that doesn't get spoken about enough.
Andy Boxall
A person holding the OnePlus 12.

How this surprise OnePlus feature changed my smartphone photos forever

It's an easily ignored feature, but the OnePlus 12's Master Mode is way more than just another Pro camera mode — and using it has changed my photos forever.
Andy Boxall
OuttaFocus Ghost Photo Promotional Image

I think I took a photo of a ghost with my smartphone

I managed to take three photos with the Xiaomi 14 Ultra of something so unearthly, so weird that it sent shivers down my spine. But what actually was it?
Andy Boxall
Promotional image for OuttaFocus. A person holding the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, with the Photography Kit fitted.

I turned my phone into a camera, and I don’t want to go back

What happens when you take one of 2024's best smartphone cameras and add a wild photography accessory to it? Something incredible, that's what.
Andy Boxall
A person wearing the Ray-Ban Meta smartglasses, taking a photo.

What they don’t tell you about wearing a camera on your face

We're all used to taking photos with our phones. But what about using a camera that's strapped to your face? It's unique, weird, and wonderful.
Andy Boxall
A person holding the iPhone 5.

How bad is a 2012 iPhone camera in 2023? Take a look for yourself

After finding an old Apple iPhone 5, I used the camera alongside the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Galaxy S23 Ultra, and OnePlus 11. Here's how things have changed.
Andy Boxall
A close-up of the iPhone 14 Pro's camera module.

I finally figured out why I don’t love the iPhone 14 Pro’s camera

After a year with the iPhone 14 Pro's camera, I've worked out what it is that has stopped me from loving it like I did older iPhone cameras.
Andy Boxall
The Asus Zenfone 10, along with the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Apple iPhone 14 Pro, and the GoPro Hero 11 Black.

I tried to replace my GoPro with this new phone and its clever camera

The Asus Zenfone 10's camera has a gimbal for steady, shake-free video. But can it come close to matching a GoPro? I found out.
Andy Boxall
Huawei smartphones with Leica cameras.

How Huawei and Leica made me fall in love with mobile photography

In a world where smartphone and photography partnerships are more common than ever, none are as meaningful as the one Huawei and Leica once shared.
Andy Boxall
Andy Boxall
Andy Boxall
Senior Mobile Writer

Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for almost a decade. During that time he has seen the evolution from 2G to 5G, reviewed dozens of smartphones, worn dozens of smartwatches (not at the same time), and visited many manufacturers and events all over the world. A multi-year veteran of Mobile World Congress, CES, IFA, and Baselworld trade shows, Andy always has a strong opinion on the mobile industry, and is excited about its future.