12 pro camera quality

Question

Level 1

68 points

12 pro camera quality

My 12 pro has had abysmal picture quality since day one. Finally got upset enough to chat with support. Told to take to authorized apple repair which closet is 45 minutes away at a Best Buy. Tried calling the Best Buy and the recorded message said the entire store is not acceptable phone calls - can you imagine that? On another chat I requested to talk to someone. Very quick call back. Options were to take to a repair center to be repaired or mail it in. I refused to have it repaired as it is 3 months old and this appears to be a known problem according to these forums. I asked to have phone replaced as that seems to be what fixes the problem. Again told to take in or mail in. I ask if both options would be at the discretion of the repair people to repair or replace to which I was told yes. I refuse to pay 1100 bucks for a phone and then have to have it repaired. I will switch to Samsung before I settle for a repaired 1100 dollar phone. Anyone else have this problem and solution offered?

iPhone 12 Pro, iOS 14

Posted on Jul 9, 2021 12:19 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 9, 2021 5:43 PM in response to rold4784

You could tell us in your first post you're a photographer. My mind reading skills are not honed. I've been on so many threads about the cameras on iPhone 12 and 99.999% of the examples of photos people believe are inferior are user caused issues.

The photo you show however is not user caused and clearly demonstrates an issue with the camera on your phone. The phone should be replaced by Apple under warranty. I know the Apple store may not be close, but that's where you should take it. Show them the photos and you'll like walk out with a replacement phone.

I do want to know since Lawrence brought it up if you were using the digital zoom on your camera, which is actually abysmal in most situations. If you did, would you please post some photos you took without using any zoom.

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Answer 2

deggie

Level 10

167,543 points

Jul 9, 2021 2:49 PM in response to rold4784

You have obviously never spent any time on the Samsung support sites. The only way I have known Apple to fix camera problems is to replace the phone with a service replacement unit. They don’t even have a published camera repair price. https://support.apple.com/iphone/repair/service

They will test the phone first to make sure it is a hardware problem. As per the warranty though how the handle it is up to Apple. Samsung warranties read the same. And as far as Best Buy have you noticed we have been through a pandemic?

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Answer 3

deggie

Level 10

167,543 points

Jul 9, 2021 12:38 PM in response to rold4784

Yes, and just to let you know if you get a Samsung you will be in the exact same situation. Just so you are aware Apple service for something like a bad camera is to always replace the phone, they don't open it up and replace things. Same for Best Buy and I don't know how their phone call system is applicable here. Did you go to Best Buy's forum. When you called Apple they could have made a service appointment for you with Best Buy or you can make one online. You can do the same with Apple online. I am fortunate enough to have several Apple Store's close to me and yes I have made appointments taken the product in and had it replaced at the store.

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Answer 4

rold4784 Author

Level 1

68 points

Jul 9, 2021 2:36 PM in response to deggie

I mentioned the phone system out of frustration that an authorized apple repair store would not be taking calls. Not very confidence inspiring. As a far as Samsung having the same problem so far I have not heard of any of my friends that have a Samsung having a camera problem like this or service like this. My beef is apple WAS telling me they would repair it. The chat agent said that and in so doing basically admitted there is a problem with the cameras. The supervisor that called me said basically the same thing. When I said I wanted a new phone she said it would have to go in to be serviced and I asked if they would replace the entire phone she said it is up to the repair facility. I trouble shot the phone through chat and was told it was a hardware problem - the camera. So I asked will I get a new phone and there was never a definitive answer. This is not the first time I have had trouble with apple having owned apple phones since they started selling phones so I am not as giving as I used to be.

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Answer 5

Jul 9, 2021 2:53 PM in response to rold4784

Frustration aside. How do you qualify abysmal? Are you using the right camera for the right situation. Show some examples of what you believe is wrong. Many people have complained on these forums. And many of them have taken awful pictures using the wrong camera for the wrong situation etc.

Show us some of these abysmal photos you speak of.

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Answer 6

Jul 9, 2021 4:56 PM in response to rold4784

That looks like it was taken with extreme digital zoom. Digital zoom is actually a hoax; what it really does is crop while taking the picture, which means it is using less of the CDS sensor, so instead of having the full resolution of 12 megapixels it looks like it is down around 1 or 2 megapixels.

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Answer 7

deggie

Level 10

167,543 points

Jul 9, 2021 6:45 PM in response to rold4784

You seem to be having a hard team telling us apart. I’ve been here for over 15 years and I think it is better than it used to be. And no Apple employee has posted in this thread. You could read your warranty and have figured out how the service process works without calling Apple. You are just unhappy they won’t change the process for you.

You have made it abundantly clear you are mad at Apple and Samsung is better. The good news is iPhones have much higher resale value than Samsung. So sell your 12 Pro and then buy the Samsung you want. Problem solved.

Then use your warranty and get yours serviced.

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Answer 8

rold4784 Author

Level 1

68 points

Jul 9, 2021 3:14 PM in response to lobsterghost1

Taken from 6 feet away. As far as you insinuating I don’t know how to use my phone camera I will only say I have been a photographer since the 70’s and have used phone cameras since they came out. I took this same picture with my xs and it was crisp and sharp for the camera it was even when zoomed in. I am used to using manual on my cameras but have never had to fiddle with settings on my phones- at least not with a picture this simple - to get a decent shot.

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Answer 9

rold4784 Author

Level 1

68 points

Jul 9, 2021 3:25 PM in response to deggie

Oh please. Everything is pandemic related now. As far as Samsung I have several friends who have Samsung phones and have had for years and have not heard them complain. Are they lucky? Maybe. My experience with Apple is a proven for me though. I love their phones but when I have had problems their service was lacking. One problem I actually was put in touch with an engineer because my wifi kept dropping out on my brand new xs. He said he would call me back and never did. Then when I could finally get in touch with him again he said he called me back and left message. Only my call log or phone messages showed no call or message from him. Petty of me you say? I say it’s bad service and it has left a negative impression of Apple.

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Answer 10

deggie

Level 10

167,543 points

Jul 9, 2021 3:58 PM in response to rold4784

Yes, you are correct, about everything is related to the pandemic now. I have a friend waiting for her Subaru to be repaired and it lacks one part which may not get here until October. Why? Pandemic. Same for a replacement logic board I am waiting for. Same for shortages of help at restaurants, retail establishments, etc.

Unless you are talking about 100,000 of your friends with Samsungs you are merely talking about anecdotal information. And I’m not having a problem with my camera and my friends aren’t either.

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Answer 11

rold4784 Author

Level 1

68 points

Jul 9, 2021 6:25 PM in response to lobsterghost1

Why would it matter if I was a photographer? Does everyone on here automatically assume every poster is technically and functionally illiterate? Do you have to present credentials to be believed there is a problem?

That was without any zoom. I walked out my back door to feed the squirrels and there he was. It was extremely hot that day day and they were cooling off. They are semi tame so they didn’t run immediately so I had time to snap a picture. What should have been a good photo is basically useless. What good is a phone that touts the great camera to carry with you to snap quick pictures like this when it doesn’t work? I don’t want to carry a DSLR everywhere I go so I bought this phone because of the supposed great camera.

I do thank everyone on here for making my mind up for me though.

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Answer 12

Jul 9, 2021 6:33 PM in response to rold4784

My iPhone 12 Pro Max takes stunning photos, and I too have been taking photos semi-seriously for a long time. For the first time in a long time, my DSLR has been in it's bag for months as my iPhone makes it almost obsolete.

Glad we've helped you make up your mind. It's clear you don't want anyone's advice, so what it is you've decided, good for you. I won't respond further.

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