**iOS 18.2’s Clean Up Feature: A Journey of Hopes and Realities**
Apple has unveiled a vast array of new functionalities with iOS 18.2, but one particularly noteworthy addition is the overhauled “Clean Up” feature. Positioned to rival Google’s Magic Eraser and Samsung’s Object Eraser, Apple’s Clean Up tool has generated considerable intrigue and comparisons. At first glance, it appeared that Apple had finally mastered the art of providing a smooth photo-editing experience. However, as I explored its features more thoroughly, my excitement faced some disappointments.
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### **The Emergence of Apple’s Clean Up Feature**
Upon the announcement of the Clean Up tool in the iOS 18.2 update, initial expectations were moderated. After all, Google’s Magic Eraser and Samsung’s Object Eraser have been established for quite some time, fine-tuning their algorithms and yielding solid outcomes. In contrast, Apple’s Clean Up was a newer player in this field.
With the backing of Apple Intelligence, this feature claimed to effortlessly erase unwanted elements from images. My first experiences with the tool were surprisingly favorable. Using my iPhone 16 Pro Max, I attempted to eliminate a harness from a photo of my dog. The process was user-friendly: outline the harness, allow the tool to highlight it, and witness it disappear. The outcomes were clean, accurate, and even surpassed my expectations.
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### **The Contenders: Google and Samsung**
To assess Apple’s advancements, I pitted its Clean Up tool against Google’s Magic Eraser and Samsung’s Object Eraser. Both rivals have had more development time, and their results reflected that experience. Google’s Magic Eraser, part of Google Photos, and Samsung’s Object Eraser, with its integration in the photo editor, produced reliable results. However, they had their shortcomings. For instance, Google’s Magic Eraser struggled with intricate details on my iPhone, necessitating multiple tries to eradicate the harness.
Samsung’s Object Eraser performed well overall but sometimes fell short in finesse compared to Apple’s Clean Up. Apple’s tool appeared to excel at identifying smaller objects and blending edits into the background seamlessly.
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### **The Downturn: When Clean Up Faltered**
Just as I was poised to hail Apple’s Clean Up tool as the new leader in object removal, an unexpected issue arose. Returning to the same photo of my dog, I confronted a puzzling problem: Apple’s Safety Filter was activated. The tool, which had previously processed the image without complications, now deemed it potentially inappropriate and wouldn’t proceed.
This discrepancy left me perplexed. Why was the Safety Filter triggered for a photo that had already been edited successfully? While I value Apple’s focus on user safety, the reasoning behind this choice was puzzling. The episode underscored a potential shortcoming in Apple’s AI-driven approach: inconsistency.
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### **Background Removal: A Common Flaw**
To further evaluate the tools, I attempted to eliminate individuals from a background in a photo. This scenario is a typical use case for such features, and I was eager to see how each performed. Unfortunately, neither Apple’s Clean Up nor Google’s Magic Eraser produced impeccable results. Both managed to erase the individuals, but a closer look revealed visible artifacts and discrepancies.
Clearly, removing objects in intricate scenes is a challenge that all competitors in this arena face. The technology shows promise, but it is not yet flawless.
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### **The Conclusion: An Evolving Tool**
Apple’s Clean Up tool has made significant progress in a relatively short timeframe, with impressive performance in specific situations. However, the inconsistencies, like the unexpected triggering of the Safety Filter, reveal that there is still potential for enhancement. Google’s Magic Eraser and Samsung’s Object Eraser stand as strong contenders, albeit with their own limitations.
As Apple continues to improve its AI capabilities, it’s plausible that the Clean Up tool will become even more powerful. For the moment, it represents a promising feature that underscores Apple’s dedication to refining the photo-editing experience. Whether it will eventually outpace Google and Samsung remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the competition for the top object removal tool is far from concluded.
