Apple’s latest innovation, the Clean Up feature, is making waves as part of the iOS 18.1 developer beta. This new Apple Intelligence tool aims to simplify photo editing by removing unwanted objects from images.
As a reminder, the Clean Up feature is currently in the testing phase, so users should exercise caution when downloading the iOS beta version. It is advisable to back up your iPhone beforehand, as this version may contain bugs and is intended for developers to preview upcoming features.
To explore the capabilities of Apple’s Clean Up tool, I tested it alongside other popular options like similar tools from Google and Samsung, specifically using the iPhone 15 Pro Max for Clean Up, Google Pixel 9 Pro XL for Google’s Magic Eraser, and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra for Galaxy AI.
Comparative Test: Apple Clean Up, Magic Eraser, and Galaxy AI
Three photos were chosen for this comparison, each varying in complexity: easy, medium, and hard.
Easy Test
The first photo features a couple strolling along a picturesque beach in Grenada. Their removal should be a straightforward task for AI-powered tools due to the consistent background and favorable lighting.
Medium Test
The next photo presents a red car parked under a shadow, adding a layer of difficulty to the removal process.
Hard Test
Finally, a challenging shot of an eagle inside a glass enclosure at the Vanderbilt Museum will be used, as it obstructs a significant part of the image, demanding more from the AI.
Testing Apple’s Clean Up Tool
Starting with the beach photo, the Clean Up tool on the iPhone 15 Pro Max worked remarkably well. Astonishingly, it auto-selected the couple for removal without needing any input from me.
With a simple tap, the woman was removed, then the man, leaving no traces behind. This seamless result is a testament to the effectiveness of Apple’s Clean Up feature.
Next, I tackled the photo of the car. The tool again auto-selected the red car, but left some subtle shadow details, showcasing the limitations of this tool in more complex scenarios.
Finally, the eagle removal required a manual selection. Although the Clean Up tool made significant efforts to fill the void, it struggled with such a complex task.
Testing Google’s Magic Eraser
Turning to Google’s Magic Eraser, I began by attempting to remove the couple. The selection process was more labor-intensive compared to Clean Up; however, the tool successfully erased them from the scene.
For the car photo, Magic Eraser struggled, leaving behind an odd visual that resembled a sinkhole. However, the eagle removal showcased the tool’s ability to interpret complex backgrounds effectively, despite some minor artifacts left over.
Exploring Samsung’s Galaxy AI
Samsung’s Galaxy AI proved effective in removing the beach couple as well. Its interface was user-friendly due to the S Pen’s precision. However, the tool generated an unexpected crate in place of the red car in the parking lot, leading to a confusing image.
In the complex museum scene, Galaxy AI showed promise but was not flawless, revealing issues with lighting and missing elements in the final image.
Final Results: Who Took the Crown?
All three AI tools performed admirably with the easy image, but there was a noticeable decrease in quality for the more complex edits. Surprisingly, the winner of this object-removal face-off is Google, thanks to its strong performance with difficult photos, despite some shortcomings.
Apple Clean Up landed in second place, excelling in simpler scenarios while faltering on complex images. Samsung’s Galaxy AI took the last spot, with some confusing replacements but decent handling of others.
