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
A $300 camera vs a $1100 phone that Apple markets for professional photographers. Most the time you can remove flare in post if you use tools like Adobe PsE. I hope Samsung’s 108mp camera can avoid the flare with the bigger sensor, even if it sacrifices low-light performance. Back on the topic, I think if Apple is going to market this as a pro photography, they should of made the sensor from the 11 and 11 pro different because there is no difference in quality. I bought the max for screen size because I need the bigger screen, but I feel the price tag warrants thing a like excessive flare inexcusable.
I have the same issue with the extreme camera reflection when recording videos or taking pictures. Christmas season is upon us and with this extreme camera reflections, it is impossible to take pictures in front of bright Christmas tree and Christmas lights. Pixel has the same issue and Google has acknowledge the issue and will be coming out a software update to help fix the camera flare/reflection issues. Apple needs to man up and knowledge this issue and come with a resolution like Google did your their customers.
No, I know about the lens. I'm talking about the case itself. If you zoom in on the photo, the rings that are there in order to attach the moment lenses are covering the rings of the camera.
A defect would be considered a green apple in a red sack (no pun intended), and in this case it seems to be a design factor of the lenses, which would make it normal for the phone. Do I think that justifies it? No, not really, even if professional cameras have flare, which they do by nature, it would not be nearly as harsh as the iPhone 11's. That said, take a quick trip onto Google, and search any other flagship with a similar 12mp camera, you will hear similar complaints.
luismoreno wrote:
I'm not changing my very expensive phone for a refurb no offing way.
It's not up to you; under the terms of the warranty you agreed to by accepting the device (emboldening mine):
If during the Warranty Period you submit a claim to Apple or an AASP in accordance with this warranty, Apple will, at its option:
(i) repair the Apple Product using new or previously used parts that are equivalent to new in performance and reliability,
(ii) replace the Apple Product with the same model (or with your consent a product that has similar functionality) formed from new and/or previously used parts that are equivalent to new in performance and reliability, or
(iii) exchange the Apple Product for a refund of your purchase price.
https://www.apple.com/legal/warranty/products/ios-warranty-document-us.html
Just saw this guys video on Reddit. Christmas Market, lots of lights, perfect scenario to test our problem. It seems that his phone is working perfectly, no flare at all. Either he has a good unit or he has some really good editing skills. What do you think?
Pretty sure that these ghost images are not normal like some people state they are. For a flagship phone to have this issue is ridiculous, especially at its price point. Luckily for me I have not been taking as many pictures like I did with my iPhone 7 Plus otherwise I’d have contacted Apple support for this already.
A good amount of them aren’t, since Apple is very very selective. SuperSaf is a good one to watch to see if the flare is present on other phones. I watched a comparison of the Pixel 4 and noticed both having it in the scene even if it wasn’t mentioned.
I did that too and got the same results. Then I noticed my iPhone SE does it and their 7 and 8 on display did it, (not as extreme).
So I went to a larger Best Buy, cleaned the lens on every phone and tried to induce it there. I could easily induce it on every single Samsung (S10, S10+, S10e, Note 10, 10+) along with every Apple and Pixel on display (22 phones). Again, not as extreme as my 11 Pro. The Best Buy test was extremely harsh mimics my backlit landscape and sunset shots. But it was also not dark enough to simulate the night shots.
Are the Samsung’s any better at night with street scenes? This 11 Pro is getting on my nerves. It does some amazing pictures at night then again it does some amazingly irritating ones as well.
I'm shocked at how bad the lens flare and reflections are on the iPhone11 Pro. I bought it expecting it to be good for night shots but the results are unusable. I've had iPhones 4, 5 and 7 and they are all much better. The Apple support person that I spoke to said it was just normal. He said he would get a senior advisor to call me but they have failed to keep two telephone appointments. Just two examples are attached. I would strongly advise anyone not to buy this phone.
I agree the SE is toy like compared to the 11 Pro. No real comparison. It still irritates me that the SE easily outperforms the 11 Pro in sunset photos when the sun is still high. I was not expecting this. My iPhone 7 did not bug me with excessive flare, (excessive according to my expectations).
There are no pocket sized weatherized cameras that can match the Pro. Which is what I really want. Sooooo...I have to find a way around some of these issues or return it. But then what? I see no other choices.
Even reviewer's have the I Lens flare issues on the iPhone and Best Buy.
UPDATE: I went to the Apple store and I spoke with the Genius Bar. After testing the camera he told me that this is lens flare and it is just normal on every iPhone 11 pro and pro max especially when using the night mode.
Thus, he noticed a small scratch on the rear camera, which is a manufacturing defect, but it does not affect, in his opinion, the quality of the shots. He made some tests and he told me this is a cosmetic issue not a functional problem, and if you want to swap it you must ask your certified reseller (where I bought it) to replace it.
I bought this device only one week ago, do you think worth it do exchange a phone for a small little scratch on the camera, which do not affect (I think) the quality of the shots?
I wouldn’t exchange it and find myself with another issued device.
Here is a YouTube of the 11 Pro and Note 10+ making simultaneous shots and video. The images are framed side by side in the video for better comparison. There are two night shots. One at 3:25 and the other at 13:09. Overall, both cameras share the same defects with the 11 Pro demonstrating a few more artifacts.
I’m not having any issues with lens flare as evidenced by these photos I took tonight. We’re spending Christmas in Ogunquit, Maine and this our resort on the Atlantic Ocean all decked out for the holidays
Iphone 11 Pro Extreme lens flare
