iPhone XS AWFUL QUALITY CAMERA

Greetings, CrystalLV.

I see that you feel the quality of the photos you take with your iPhone XS isn't as good as the ones you've taken with your iPhone 7 Plus. I'm happy to help.

Use camera modes on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch -- You may have been using different modes for the photos you've taken. This article provides the information on those camera modes. See if using Portrait mode works better.

If the camera on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch isn't working -- Even though the cameras of your iPhone XS are working, the information in this article can help.

Take care!

If you don't like the results, the only thing you can do is return your phone, as it's not likely the algorithm will change anytime soon.

Note that there was an issue with front camera photos being overly smoothed in earlier versions of iOS that was resolved in iOS 12.1.

If you like, you may express your concerns to Apple here:

Feedback - iPhone - Apple

The all-important lighting is vastly different in both photos. The cute girl on the left is illuminated by soft omnidirectional lighting. The cute girl on the right is illuminated by a ceiling bulb.

I live in Japan but bought the phone in HK for the dual sim. I only start using the phone after returning to Japan and restoring the backup from X using iTune. If I were still in HK I will definitely return my phone.

Everyone takes different photos. I use my phone a lot to take my kids photos. The photo quality by XR is just awful. Most of the photos of their face are looking unnatural. I do not see the same issue with my X. Turning off Smart HDR does not help a lot.

I notice the same issue on many sample photos. I thought this could be fixed by simply turning off HDR and photo quality will be back to usual, but it is not.

Then there's something about the photos you are taking that the iPhone doesn't agree with, Make sure your photos are taken in well lit environments with absolutely zero digital zoom of any kind applied (1x, no zoom.)

It has nothing to do with zoom. I know zoom will emphasize the pixels but the 1x photo is already showing the weird color. Zooming in and out won’t change the color.

It looks like some kind of algorithm is being applied to all photos by default. User should have a way to turn it completely off.

Yes I also found the article. It is the same issue but I am surprised why they only raised the issue with the front camera but not the rear camera. I am using the latest version 12.1.2. Maybe the patch is not fixing XR?

My friend just introduced me an app called Moment. I could see difference in photos! I am going to take more shots to compare. I hope Apple engineers could compare the two. It is definitely a problem in the default camera app!

Response is not helpful. There is definitely something off about the iPhone XS pictures. Pretty disappointing.

Have been using X and just got my XR. Seeing the exact same issue and searching for a solution. Unbelievably new phone produces such a bad quality photos. I may sell it.

[Edited by Host]

If you don't like something, complain to Apple here:

Feedback - iPhone - Apple

Those of us here are simply fellow Apple users.

Cropped section of an Xs Max photo; looks beautiful to me.

That's why Apple has a 14 day return policy; you can't please everyone and apparently you dislike your phone.

Personally I couldn't be happier with the photos my Xs Max takes.

Sad we have to hope Apple engineers take notice. I returned mine within the 14 day window since money talks.