Hi,
I took some low light footage on my iPhone 11 pro and it turns out useless because of how much lens flare is visible. It doesn't happen on other phones or digital cameras. The footage looks really bad. Here is an example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kCu9v7_AGE
iPhone 11 Pro
I recommend contacting Apple support. I called right away after I noticed it, was on the phone for 10 minutes, was offered 4 different options;
I have a local Best Buy in town where I live, so I went in the next day and had them run through their procedures with diagnostic tools and checks, then proceed telling me I could either drive to an Apple store who had the part (2 hour drive) or wait a week for him to order the part. Week passed, got my phone in, took about an hour, presto, new camera setup, much better results.
If you can, definitely do #2 and get the new lens it is by far the best option. I wouldn't do #4 because you could get a refurbished one (which isn't acceptable for an investment like this to get a used item) that likely never had its lens replaced.
Best of Luck
I took some pictures tonight...and never noticed the flare until now. I’ve contacted Apple care and they offered me a replacement phone. I will take it, even if the problem is not totally fixed, I think is worth to try. To me the 11 pro is so far the worst phone I ever had. Owned iPhones for ever, still missing my X Plus.
Lens are totally clean, no case and still a big reflection. Took the same picture with my wife’s X, and no problem.
It is not an issue that can be fixed at this point, it's physics and is common to all premium smartphone cameras.
As an example, here's a comparison of the iPhone 12 Pro Max with the brand new Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra:
Okay.
I tried changing angles…
Still there…
Nope, still there.
Or I can just switch off the lights. Too bad, I don’t have control of the lights all the time like that one time my aunt had her birthday at a hotel. Would be funny to ask them to switch off some of the lights.
Or I can just take out my other phone and have less pronounced orbs…
Please don’t make this the customer’s fault, when it obviously isn’t.
I’m not asking Apple to replace my phone. This is my second phone with such problem after all. Both iPhones. I know what I’m getting into. I was just hoping it improved in the 12 Pro Max. Instead, it got worse. But I can deal with it. No, I don’t have to do crazy positioning and “timing”. I just use my other phone for when the iPhone fails due to unfavorable lighting that it cannot handle well.
That said, it’s still my main shooter. In instances where the scene doesn’t produce such orbs and flares, it’s a great camera.
It is an issue with the 11 and 12 (specifically Pro Max, in my case). And, no, the ones from S20 Ultra (and S10 Plus, and Note 9 - other phones I’ve recently used) do not compare at all. Oh! Even all the other iPhones before 11 do not have that issue. Else, nobody would be discussing about this issue here.
And that’s the point. I don’t shoot pictures on photographic equipment that is flare free. Veil flares are common, but a lens hood or shielding the lens with your hand solves that problem. Green dots and ghosting and as like to call them, dancing ghosts when shooting a video, are something completely different. And yes I expect my 12 MP to be as good as my 6+ did with handling flare.
Just the camera needs to be replaced that's all. I think these lenses did not get an anti glare coating. Anyway they are faulty.
Probably millions of them. That is why they want to keep it quiet.
Same but I will warn you that even once you swap it out you have to constantly wipe off the lens. It is very fussy with smudges and dirt.
Exactly. The camera needs to be replaced.
People need to start screaming to all the major tech publications and reviewers. Then they will take notice.
Some extreme lens flare is a defect; flare as in the Christmas tree photo is normal.
That is the point here they messed up the coatings.
Once again, then:
Yes it does.
You chose a scene that would induce lens flare on most any modern camera.
It's also a shot guaranteed to induce lens flare.
You could induce the exact same effect on the iPhone X and XS; I know, I owned them and did.
Saying "Please help us" here literally accomplishes nothing, as this is a forum to seek help from other Apple users.
Contact Apple directly here:
luismoreno wrote:
Also commented on Engadget and Gizmodo, and recommend you to do the same.
Will they replace your phone?
Iphone 11 Pro Extreme lens flare
