Front wide view vs rear 0.5x: which should you use?

By Con, founder of Music Wide Selfie · Updated 22 October 2026

Short answerThe rear 0.5x is wider and usually sharper, but you can’t see yourself. The widened front camera is narrower but you can frame the shot. For video of yourself talking, use the front; for a dramatic wide shot, use the rear with a timer.

	Front, widened	Rear Ultra Wide (0.5x)
Width	Wider than default front	Widest
See yourself?	Yes	No
Ease	Easy	Needs timer or remote
Edge stretch	Some	More
Best for	Talking videos, groups	Dramatic scenery shots

Which iPhones have a rear Ultra Wide? Most models from iPhone 11 onwards, apart from single-camera models.

Questions

Is the rear 0.5x better quality?

Often, yes, but it depends on the model and the light. Its bigger drawback for selfies is that you can’t see yourself.

A camera built for this

Music Wide Selfie is an iPhone camera app in development: the widest front view your iPhone supports, with your music still playing.

One email when the app is ready. Nothing else.