I just got my new MacBook Air and I like it except....the camera quality is HORRIBLE! I compared it to my MacBook Pro 2015 and the 2015 is much better quality. Is this a software issue or is this just how it is? I am very disappointed, especially since this computer was bought with all the bells and whistles! You would think for such an expensive computer (2.5K), the quality would be much better than it is!
MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.15
Hey there, samara214.
After reviewing your post, it appears that you're dissatisfied with the quality of the camera on your 2020 MacBook Air. We're glad to help with this.
Take a photo or record a video in Photo Booth on Mac -- See if the camera quality is the same or better by using Photo Booth.
How to reset the SMC on a Mac that has the Apple T2 chip -- If there's no change with the camera quality, reset the System Management Controller. Follow the steps under "Mac notebook computers with the Apple T2 chip". Test the issue once you're back to the desktop.
How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac -- If the quality is still poor, following the instructions in this article, create a new user account and see if the camera quality improves, then refer to the information below:
Be sure to perform the additional steps depending on whether or not the issue happens in the new user account, and get back to us when you're able with the results.
Let us know how that goes.
Take care.
Hi Chris,
I tried all three of your suggestions. Nothing worked. Still grainy. I called Apple and the rep tried to suggested it was because of light sensitivity. That was quickly refuted because I took side by side pictures under the same condition as my MacBook Pro 2015. The 2015 was significantly better and he agreed. I think the camera is just bad.
Yes, current MacBook cameras are not the best. It is what it is.
For reference, there are some pictures in this blog post. The blog post is of a MacBook Pro 2020, which has the same camera as the MacBook Air 2020. If your camera image is significantly worse than this reference even with good lighting, then it might be a problem, but it's probably not a faulty device, just the same bad camera that all of the newer models have. All current MacBook cameras are pretty grainy, I guess this is the best quality camera Apple could fit in the thin chassis.
I also own a MacBook Air 2020 and the picture quality is much worse and grainier than my iPad Air (3rd generation) or my iPhone XR.
MacBook Air 2020 camera quality horrible
