With AR off, it seems that the distance to the Pokémon is variable. Sometimes it's right up to my face and I pretty much have just to drop the pokéball to catch it, but sometimes it's far off in the distance and I have to swipe as hard as possible to even get the pokéball to reach the Pokémon.
Does that distance have to do with anything (chances of capturing the Pokemon or something like that) or is it just to emulate having AR on?
PS: Sadly I don't currently have screenshots to show the phenomena, but I'll try to get some later.
Best Answer
The distance "from the screen" of Pokémon you're catching when you have the AR off has no relation to the max CP or catch rate of these Pokémon. It's just a way to simulate having AR turned on by forcing you to change your throw based on what you're catching.
A prime example of a Pokémon who is extremely close to the screen but does not have a comparable catch rate to other Pokémon that appear extremely close (Caterpie, Weedle, etc.) is Ursaring.
In general, easier-to-catch Pokémon appear closer, but as seen with Ursaring, this is simply a pattern and by no means a rule.