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iPhone 12 Pro Max camera issues

Has anyone got issues with your iPhone 12 Pro Max camera ? See below that I have on mine:

1) when making video on main 1x sensor and only at 4k 60fps, the screen is suffering from significant flickering. This is not happening on any other resolutions and frame rates. I have compared to my old Xs and Xr with same settings, same scenarios and this issue is not present at all. I have also tried changing shutter speed manually to 1/120 on Filmic Pro, as normally this would resolve the issue, however no matter how I set settings manually flickering is present at all settings, when recording 4k 60fps. I have tried resetting the phone, force restarting, with no luck. I am on 14.2. I even tried using every possible settings scenario on both display and camera settings and still not possible to eliminate the issue :(

2) Ultra wide lens 0.5x is suffering from lags, stuttering when on 4k 60fps. When you touch screen to get auto exposure square and focus point, lag and stuttering is heavily present. The moment exposure and focus point disappears all is back to normal. Again this is only happening when on 4k 60fps and in all lightning conditions. I have tried all above and absolutely all settings but no luck with getting this resolved.

it would be good to see if anyone has come across these issues and managed to fix anyhow. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Happy to share my OneDrive link, so you can see the videos with these issues.

Thanks guys.

Kris

iPhone 12 Pro Max, iOS 14

Posted on Nov 15, 2020 5:24 AM

142 replies

Nov 16, 2020 11:47 PM in response to Godem

I have done the same, but they wanted me to send my phone straight for repair, which I was not willing to do at this point. When using third party app ProCamera, I don’t experience lag/stuttering issue on my 0.5x and when changing shutter speed manually to 1/100 flickering is completely gone. I will try to upload video for 0.5x lag/stuttering issue when 4k 60fps. My brother in law works in apple store and have confirmed that both issues were present on all 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max in their store :/

Nov 17, 2020 1:44 AM in response to kris_milczarek

UPDATE: I talked today to the Support. They run a remote diagnostics on the iPhone. The hardver is ok, it must’ve been a software problem.

They suggest first a forced shut down which was not effective. Secondly a reinstall (not from backup) which I have not done yet.

Nov 17, 2020 2:02 AM in response to balazs8610

Hey Balazs,

thanks for update!

i have tried absolutely everything including full wipe and issues are still present on stock camera app. I do strongly believe they will have deploy permanent fix in their next update roll out. Otherwise can’t see this being resolved.

Unless someone in forum community has found a way to fix ?

I am now using third party app for now, as I am able to control exposure and shutter speed manually.

Disappointing that this flaw has passed QA when testing functionality...

Kris

Nov 17, 2020 1:30 PM in response to kris_milczarek

I have just discovered another issue - 1x lens is unable to focus when close to an object, when you trying to take the photo or record video. So far I have just noticed that now and in lower light conditions. This might be hardware related as same thing is happening on my third part apps. I compared same scenario just now to my old Xr and Xs and have no issue with focusing on main lens and sharpening.

Nov 21, 2020 11:24 PM in response to kris_milczarek

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_xP0Slbtj0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RsWNJ3mElE

If this is what you are referring to, I am having the same problem as well. I thought my phone was defective and exchanged it to new one. But even the new one is having the same problem. I am able to see black grid lines when shooting videos, and the sky flickering is annoying as well.

firozeM

Level 1

36 points

Nov 22, 2020 11:03 AM in response to kris_milczarek

The 12 Pro Max 1x camera cannot focus as close as the other 12 models (12 pro, 12, 12 Mini). The Pro Max minimum focusing distance is approx 4.5", whereas the other 12 series models can focus to approx 3". I have tried three Pro Max phones and they focussed to 4.5". Other users have also reported the same limitation. It is disappointing that Apple's flagship phone cannot focus as close at the other phones in the 12 line-up.

Nov 23, 2020 10:07 PM in response to Joserratlv

Yes- same on mine- created a ticket with techs- sent samples- waiting for response

- something to add- try taking a screenshot on

portion of video- it’s exceedingly dark while the video itself is exceedingly light and bright!

airdropped same videos to Pro Max 11- took

screenshot from video on 11/ it’s normal!

issue is in pro Max 12 video in most light conditions and in all shooting conditions

Nov 23, 2020 11:40 PM in response to Photocrazed

I have also created a ticket with techs comparing iPhone X vs iPhone XS vs iPhone 12 Pro Max and sent samples. Waiting for response too :(

On iPhone X and XS everything is normal but with iPhone 12 Pro Max screen flickers in most artificial light conditions and some natural conditions recording video at 4K 60 FPS.

Hope a fix/answer soon.

Nov 26, 2020 7:36 AM in response to kris_milczarek

This is a MAJOR issue. Wide angle lens, 4K, 60fps is nearly unusable. I want my 11Pro Max back. Lagging, frame dropping, stuttering ... unusable. I’d take my phone back but I’m out of the 14-day period.

Not only that, terrible exposure shift (light changes) in videos with exposure LOCKED. Should not happen.

Will make YT video featuring these problems.

Nov 27, 2020 2:24 PM in response to Dogcow-Moof

I was able to eliminate the flickering using third party app called ProCamera, but had to manually set shutter to 1/100, which is not normal as by the book it should be set to 1/120 in order to eliminate this effect. This is for odd reason not the case for 12 Pro Max as at 1/120, flickering is still present. I believe this is software issue and the way stock camera app control these attributes. Sadly I have decided to return my phone as too many issues that I believe Apple will never be able to admit to, simply because there is not enough users making formal complaints. Got myself Pixel 4a (5g) and to my extreme surprise WOW what a performance from old system camera! Software and AI can really do some great stuff guys. Performance in photography especially at night, is amazing. I can confirm that lens flares and ghosting (light reflections) is present yes but, it's very minimal and well balanced compared to 11's and 12's iPhone lines. On my 12 Pro Max in most cases it was literally impossible to get a shot at night where many bright lights were hitting the sensor, this is not the case on my Pixel 4a (5g). Don't get me wrong I love Apple and would love to have 12 Pro Max, but there are far too many issues in camera systems, which seems to be 'Pro' and shine only in good to perfect conditions. But like many users are saying the decision is your's to make and I made my one by returning my phone and get full refund. This is simply as I can't justify 1k + price tag and issues this phone still have. Maybe in few years Apple will truly get there.

Dogcow-Moof

Level 8

36,539 points

Nov 27, 2020 7:48 PM in response to amityeric

amityeric wrote:

Will make YT video featuring these problems.

Why, because you want people here to agree with you?

Posting anything here will not get the attention of anyone at Apple, if that's what you were hoping for, and commiserating with others here also doesn't change anything.

abrian

Level 1

18 points

Nov 30, 2020 9:59 AM in response to kris_milczarek

I am having the same exact issues on my iPhone 12 Pro Max while recording in 4K 60 FPS. There is constant flickering, mainly in videos that include the sky on a well lit day, and the exposure is all over the place. Additionally, the ultra wide lens suffers from significant lagging and stuttering. I have to constantly restart the camera to get it to work properly. I really hope this is a software issue that Apple can fix immediately.

Dec 1, 2020 1:30 PM in response to kris_milczarek

I just got my 12 pro max and was excited to use the camera but also sadly found some problems with it:

1.) camera not focusing on 1X close by

2.) portrait mode not blurring images correctly

3.) video flickering at 4K 60 FPS

4.) glare and reflections of lights appearing in photos which is the most annoying.

YanniGL1

Level 1

4 points

Dec 1, 2020 7:51 PM in response to Bilalhussain02

Call apple let them know about your complaint about the 1x close focusing issue. If they get enough complaining hopefully they will do something to fix it. Which they should do it’s inexcusable for a flagship phone.

Dogcow-Moof

Level 8

36,539 points

Dec 1, 2020 10:07 PM in response to YanniGL1

There is no published minimum focus distance for the camera, so there is no issue for Apple to solve here.

I understand that you're disappointed and would like it to focus closer, but it may not be possible with the new optics package in the 12 Pro Max.

iPhone 12 Pro Max camera issues