iPhone 12 Pro camera not focusing properly

In my tests i found two issues with iPhone 12 pro max: First the hardware optic related problem, that focus distance is worst than with the iPhone 11 pro max. Second the software problem, when you shoot a video the autofocus has big problems. Even if there is enough distance when you move from close to far objects. On top comes the white balance problem in video especially skin tones are often pale or blown out if you change from low light to bright sources. The Samsung galaxy s20 ultra with 108MP has no problem at all!

I tested a few of the suggestions on this string and the best one I found was using the 2.5X telephoto, which does give you decent focus close-up albeit lower res.

For such a premium phone though, this really is unacceptable. Worse ** photos by far than my 6S. Expect more of Apple, and certainly expect them to come out with a fix / recall / partial refund or something to address the problem.

Having buyer's remorse for now.

I thought it was just me!!!

Confirming your observation. I make YouTube videos and I went from iPhone 10 Xs Max to iPhone 12 Pro Max and just by muscle memory I found it weird why the 12 wasn’t focusing in on tight shots as before.

I still have my 10 so I tested the focus length for both phones and sure enough I have to hold the 12 at least an inch farther than the 10.

By most people’s replies on here, it doesn’t sound like there’s going to be a fix or patch for this. Just another hardware oversight Apple conveniently keeping hush about ‘til someone discovers it, but as usual Apple will double down saying that it’s intentional due to some other “great” quality of their phone. 😔

iPhone 12 Pro here. The issue is not with just 12 Pro Max, stop saying this. Yes there could be different 12 Pro Max hardware related issues too, but 12 Pro definitely NOT CAPABLE OF TAKING CLOSE UP MACRO PHOTOS, end of story. It has been several major update cycles now, nothing ever changes, in all camera settings on or off, doesn't matter.

It's so funny that Apple is marketing phones with photography capabilities (as that's the only thing left to rip off customers) and then they can't even make the most basic focus functionality. I am so furious, waited for months to be fixed but nothing. Shame on Apple...

And what is worse, it can very well focus the background, but blurs the object. So it's kind of reverse focusing, you get a macro blur, and a clear background.

From all that I've researched, the 12 will just not focus as close as the older phones. It's a function of the camera hardware. There doesn't seem to be a fix.

Hello Itsjojojoei,

It sounds like you are experiencing issues focusing your camera for up close shots. We understand how important this is for you and we're here to help.

First let's review this article regarding your camera features: About the Camera features on your iPhone

Specifically the section titled "Adjust your focus and exposure."

Are you opening your camera while your camera is already close to the subject? What is your exact iOS version? Does the issue persist every time you attempt to take a close up shot? Also, when did you first notice this?

Cheers!

Interesting. Is this using the Pro Max? Because all the other iPhone 12 variants are fine for macro. They all perform consistently with previous generations. (There *was* a software macro focusing glitch for all iphone 12 devices , but which was fixed in iOS 14.2. )

The Pro Max is a completely different story unfortunately. It’s macro capabilities have been devastated. It is the only device where the minimum focus distance has increased very significantly, so this thread is really only now about the Max...

That’s what I’ve noticed as well. In this thread (and many more like it inside and outside of Apple’s forums) is that it’s unique to both pro models, but not the normal 12/mini. I would just like Apple to acknowledge it and own it, as it’s hard to stomach having spent $2600 on two phones, primarily for the camera, when it’s incapable of doing what a phone 4 years ago (or even the 11 pro max last year) could do. My mom uses the phone to photograph ebay items, and up close photos are now a pain. It’s either the magnifier or the 2x lens from further away, which doesn’t always come out the way you’d like. I’m guessing it’ll be a suck-it-up and wait until next year response, although I had planned on keeping the phone for a while.

I just contacted Apple support. I own an iPhone 12 Pro Max with iOS 14.3.

I have the same issue that everyone is describing here. Note that I own the Pro Max version, not the normal Pro.

They did some remote diagnostic and concluded that "the cameras are in good condition".

They also said that "This is expected behavior for iPhone 12 Pro Max specifically. The device has a larger camera sensor and optics so the macro focus distance (MFD, or minimum focus distance) was increased compared to other iPhone 12 or iPhone 11 devices."

Now I regret going for the 12 Pro Max and not getting the 12 Pro, as the normal Pro version doesn't seem to have this problem.. welp.. 1300€ down the toilet.

I had the same problem with my original iPhone 12 Pro. The first “genius” that I met with at the store in Ann Arbor, Michigan stated “That’s how the new camera system is supposed to work, it’s going back-and-forth figuring out which lens is best to take the photo”. I explained that I was NEVER getting a clear photo.

So I made a second visit there, 40 minutes 1 way, (during the Covid pandemic) and the new genius said “oh they’re going to want this phone back so they can check into that...”

It was replaced 11/12/20 and I had no problems with the new iPhone 12 Pro until sometime in January 2021, when it started again. Unfortunately, I can’t remember if this was before or after my update to iOS 14.4.

As I've done more reading about the relationship between sensor size and minimum focusing distance, I've become convinced that no "fix" is possible for the 12 Pro Max. Link just below to an excellent article if you want to read more yourself, but here's the summary: generally speaking, the bigger a camera's sensor, the greater the minimum focusing distance. And on the 12 Pro Max, the main camera's sensor had a size increase of 47%. That's huge, and probably the cause of the change in minimum focus distance. https://gizmodo.com/dont-overlook-minimum-focus-distance-when-buying-lenses-1506098429

However, while that's a conclusion based on actual science, it doesn't explain similar issues with the 12 Pro, which has the identical main camera system as the regular 12, and the regular 12 shoots close-ups just fine. But the 12 Pro does have Lidar (like the Pro Max) while the regular 12 does not. So could that be the culprit here? I don't know, but I really wish Apple would acknowledge that minimum focusing distance has changed, and then tell us if it's fixable or just the new normal due to the new hardware.

One way I’ve been able to “fix” this is to hit the 2.5X button so it switches to the other camera. This seems to help with focusing on closer objects.

If you can make it in to a Genius Bar appointment, I think it would be worth your time. I fully expect that I would been given a replacement iPhone had they’d not been able to fix it.

I have shot macro with iPhones for years with stunning results--especially close-up food and flower photography, which tend to be my main subjects. My 12 Pro Max is a total FAIL as a camera for macro work and a huge disappointment. Its heavily promoted upgraded camera was my sole reason for trading in my 11 Pro Max and now I have to borrow my wife's iPhone 11 when I want to shoot. LiDar, bigger sensor, sensor shift stabilization, blah, blah, blah... how about making sure that macro focusing works? Shooting macro with telephoto is the very compromised workaround that is the only thing available for close up shots. Meanwhile, crickets from Apple, or the nonsense that the lack of macro focusing ability is due to all those great new components.

I called Apple today, they know and are working on it but have no clue what the problem is even after all the diagnostics

they also admit even if their advanced team figures it out they are not likely to even tell them.

so yes iPhone 12 Pro and 12 pro Max won’t focus when zoomed in. My iPad and iPhone X have no problem but the 12 pro is absolutely infuriating!

why can’t Apple ever get it right???