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iPhone 11 Pro Camera - Internal Glare, Reflection, Lens Flare Issue

I've seen a few posts when searched but was able to dig down a little deeper. I noticed it while trying to capture a video singing happy birthday to my daughter unfortunately. Happened again filming my Christmas tree lights this week. Finally, I decided to take the time and make the trek to Austin, TX Domain Apple Store bypassing my provider or the optional box stores much closer thinking they would be able to adequately resolve my issue. I'm sure many don't have the time or proximity to such a resource and figured who better to take it to right? I arrived and had my camera module replaced in about an hour. Being in IT and wanting to be sure it was "fixed"...I went outside and tested on the Christmas light wrapped trees outside when low and behold it was doing the same thing. Needless to say I went back inside to inform them now thinking it was probably just the phone. Typical next step 101 was to wipe/factory reset my phone to no avail. At that point the "genius" said nothing else can be done. After arguing to get a Manager, he finally grabbed one. We were able to replicate the issue on the table display and both of their personal devices. Aside from a waste of time and factory reset phone, all I was given was a website apple.com/feedback to report it to in hopes of it getting read and someone doing their job by reporting up the chain to engineers since the Apple Store wouldn't. I don't normally do this sort of thing but aside from social media and news outlets there is really no where to turn to resolve this issue. I'd imagine with the holidays upon us, this will become more evident and problematic for Apple if not already. These things happen and are understandable. A few years back I had a similar issue and it finally got to the right group to realize it was a pre-launch vendor that provided some bad hardware causing the issue for that batch. The employees just weren't having it. I couldn't help but laugh when both the manager and tech stood by the "there's nothing wrong with the software or hardware" statement even after their phones demonstrated it as well. It's an obvious flaw that needs to be addressed. For the price, I expect it to work as designed which it clearly isn't...no pun intended.

iPhone 11 Pro Max, iOS 13

Posted on Nov 13, 2019 10:12 AM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Dec 3, 2019 2:52 AM

Unfortunately you are not the only one with this problem. And i found no solution on my search for one. Perhaps bringing the phone back is the only one. Sad, i bought the phone exactly because i read in the reviews that it has the best camera on the market. What i don’t understand is how on earth no reviewer on youtube has the problem with lens flare and ghosting when is obvious that a lot of normal people like us, if i am allowed to say it like this, are having this issue. Do we perhaps get in our city stores defective units, and they get good ones so they don’t see the problems and tell everybody?

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250679985?page=1


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25 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Dec 3, 2019 2:52 AM in response to R1deR3d

Unfortunately you are not the only one with this problem. And i found no solution on my search for one. Perhaps bringing the phone back is the only one. Sad, i bought the phone exactly because i read in the reviews that it has the best camera on the market. What i don’t understand is how on earth no reviewer on youtube has the problem with lens flare and ghosting when is obvious that a lot of normal people like us, if i am allowed to say it like this, are having this issue. Do we perhaps get in our city stores defective units, and they get good ones so they don’t see the problems and tell everybody?

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250679985?page=1


Dec 4, 2019 6:55 AM in response to R1deR3d

I have the same problem too. Its a reflection/ghost image.


I just received my phone 2 days ago and testing it at night environment. Today I am sending my iphone 11 pro max back to the shop I buy from only to be tell by the salesperson its a normal thing. She also show me sample of the reflection condition by using her phone which is an android phone.


In all my lifetime, I never see any reflecting images/ghosting images when i take picture from phone camera.


Before using iphone 11 pro max I am using Galaxy Note 4(which I buy 5 years ago). Never before I encounter this reflecting/ghosting images using Galaxy Note 4. Only excessive flares which is understandable and I accepted as it is a normal thing.


Is reflection/ghosting image a normal thing and acceptable by either android and apple community? I feel it is unacceptable. In my opinion its the Iphone 11 pro max glass lens cover that is defective. Its supposed to be coated anti glare inside the glass like any other conventional csc/dslr camera to prevent mirorring which will result in reflecting/ghosting image. Apple should admit this is their design fault.

Dec 22, 2019 5:56 PM in response to R1deR3d

So here my issue. This should absolutely not be an issue. Cannot take pictures of the Christmas tree with the reflection given off by lights. I’ve had my 11 Pro Max for a couple of months now and for the price, I expect quality. Not saying this phone doesn’t match it but there is certainly a defect in this camera and or lens. Apple listen to your customers.

Feb 4, 2020 3:05 PM in response to R1deR3d

I have this same issue and have owned various android and apple products. I have never seen such horrible reflection or lens flare in my past experiences as i have on my iphone 11 pro. What makes matters worse is, like you, i compared video quality with the pixel 4 (my buddies phone) with mine at a concert and the results were embarrassing. I had massive reflection and he had none. Lens flare is going to happen but the reflection thing is just horrible. Im curious though, did apple ever resolve the issue? I am wanting to take my phone to the apple store but the wait times are atrocious!


here are a couple examples, and trust me, video is WAY worse.

Dec 17, 2019 3:29 PM in response to R1deR3d

Yes, I have the same issues. Pretty disappointed. Just switched to the iPhone Pro Max (never had an iPhone before) because of the great reviews regarding the camera. But it seems it is all smoke and mirrors. My Pixel 3 XL shot much better pictures and I never had these issues with any of my phones to such an extent. I took a picture of 3 burning candles and I see the 3 flames as reflections in the photo. Took the identical picture with my old Pixel 3 at the same angle. Can't see any reflections.

iPhone 11 Pro Camera - Internal Glare, Reflection, Lens Flare Issue

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