Camera on IPhone 12 Pro Max not focusing

i am having the same issue but I do believe it is a software issue and not a hardware issue but I could be wrong, I noticed that occasionally under the the overlay where the settings it sometimes show the preview of the photo and despite the it being blurry under that overlay it is not for some reason I will attach a picture I took using the camera then the screenshot of the screen to explain what I’m talking about

Earlier, many 12 Pro phones would not focus close up. iOS 14.2 update fixed this for the 12 Pro's. So there is hope that Apple may release a update that will fix the 12PM's too. Or it could be that the 12PM camera hardware is inherently incapable of focusing as close as other iPhone models. Either way it would be good if Apple released a statement to clarify this issue. There is a long thread on MacRumors on this issue, with many unhappy 12PM owners. If anyone from apple is reading this, would you please consider releasing a clarification? Thank you.

OffdutyRockstar wrote:

It’s intentional, you’re meant to use the telescopic lens for macro or close ups. The reason it’s different to Xs Max etc is because there’s a specific lens for this function now, as opposed to 2 lenses serving dual purpose. 1st pic is with main camera, second is with the correct 2.5x .

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/fe66ef9f-b0ca-4cff-becc-e24c41aea51e

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/e2ef30ff-143e-4d48-8fb6-f4bdf9ab2257

It's not. The 2.5x quality on close up is bad. I was on the iPhone 7 Plus before the 12 Pro Max, and the 7 Plus make better close up photo. The 2.5x also also deform what you're taking, it's not what I was waiting from a 1200€ phone.

Adjust the camera’s focus and exposure

Before you take a photo, the iPhone camera automatically sets the focus and exposure, and face detection balances the exposure across many faces. If you want to manually adjust the focus and exposure, do the following:

1. Tap the screen to show the automatic focus area and exposure setting.
2. Tap where you want to move the focus area.
3. Next to the focus area, drag  up or down to adjust the exposure.
4. To lock your manual focus and exposure settings for upcoming shots, touch and hold the focus area until you see AE/AF Lock; tap the screen to unlock settings.

I have same problem in South Korea and my iphone 12 pro max is updated iOS 14.2.1ver.

Is this a software problem?

I tested camera zoom ratio ranges 0.5~12x, and the focusing problem is only occurring in 1x~2.4x ranges.

i hope this problem will solve asap.

Just received my new iPhone 12 pro max today and the first thing I get is camera issues. I only upgraded because they said my camera issues couldn’t be fixed on my XS Max and now taking pictures close up doesn’t work 🤦🏽‍♀️ Blurry version is new 12 Pro Max and clear version is from XS Max

I am facing the same issue and Apple support team on chat does not know about this. He asked me to do reset settings which did not work. This is how iPhone 12 Pro Max pic looks like when IPhone 7 Plus is able to perform AF.

iPhone 7 Plus

I am facing the same issue on my iPhone 12 pro max. The phone was very expensive and expected a perfect camera module. Not being able to focus less than 11cm is not acceptable for a 1300€ price tag. Tested an iphone 6 and a Samsung S20, both are able to focus at 7cm distance. I took a photo for comparison. I really hope this issue will be solved.

first picture taken with 12 promax at 1.0 setting second picture taken with 12 Pro Max at .9 setting this is the fix is easy and you guys can stop beating up Apple or yourselves it’s real simple zoom down to the .9 setting setting

Same here! Just got my 12 pro max and noticed this while trying to take a photo of small products, it wont allow me to focus unless im about more than 4-5 inches away from the object. Apple should release an official statement wether this is a hardware limitation or what. I don't like random forum folks guessing the issue here! My $500 android phone can focus closer and capture more detail than this $1000 dollar phone. I'm returning it if it is a hardware limitation!

*Sample photo below is about 4 inches away

Wow omg this is exactly what mine is doing!!!! Trying to take a picture of this dry patch on my finger, it only focuses and gets a clear image when 4-5 inches away but when I move camera up close I get this. 🙄 This is so not right. We paid over a thousand dollars the least we can get is a camera that can focus in on close objects in a very clear picture.

It’s intentional, you’re meant to use the telescopic lens for macro or close ups. The reason it’s different to Xs Max etc is because there’s a specific lens for this function now, as opposed to 2 lenses serving dual purpose. 1st pic is with main camera, second is with the correct 2.5x .

I visited an Apple authorised reseller today and tested the focusing on two iPhone 12 Pro Max phones. Neither of them would focus as close as the 12 Pro, 12, and 12 Mini phones in the store. Indeed the other phones could focus almost 50% closer than both the 12 Pro Max phones. I do hope Apple comes out with an update that will fix this. I am holding off buying the 12PM until Apple fixes this.

This was at an Apple authorised dealer, not at a Apple store, and the salesman was not very knowledgeable. Said he was not aware of this issue and would bring it to the notice of the store manager. That was all, not very helpful unfortunately.