iPhone 13 Camera is blurry

Note that when a camera is replaced, it must be re-registered to the phone, so that may explain why the camera serial number appears the same to the third-party software.

Note also that the issue may actually be in the lens assembly rather than the camera itself.

All I can recommend is you contact Apple Support directly again, and ask if your case can be escalated.

Contact - Official Apple Support

No, this is a forum to allow users to help other users with their technical issues.

It is not an Apple Support forum, nor do Apple Engineers post here.

If you wish to speak to support, you may do so here:

Contact - Official Apple Support

I have no control over content here, and don't work for Apple, I am a user, just as you are.

If a post was removed, it was because it was a violation of the Apple Support Communities User Agreement we all agreed to follow when creating an account here.

As far as new cameras vs. those on the iPhone 11, it's also clear that most prefer the computational photography done by the 13; were that not the case the phones wouldn't sell and their cameras wouldn't be so well-reviewed.

There are many people who dislike the new camera effect- and if you don't, you should certainly get the best device for your needs.

Right now, though, the best anyone can do is submit feedback - Product Feedback - Apple

I have no intention of "gaslighting" you. I, nor any other user, is affiliated with Apple in any way. The camera issue, however, is related to the automatic HDR effect iPhone 13 applies to certain photos. It has been around for a while, but just recently has it not been able to be disabled. You can read about that here - Adjust HDR camera settings on iPhone - Apple Support

I understand you dislike it. That's fine. Submit feedback here - Product Feedback - Apple

Additionally, you can take it for a checkup if you want - Find Locations - Apple

I agree that it seems the iPhone 13’s HDR doesn’t work so well in certain situations (like the low light scenarios you described). I also agree that HDR should be able to be disabled, like on earlier iPhone models.

However, just complaining about it here doesn’t do any good, as Apple doesn’t routinely monitor the forums. If you want them to know, you have to submit feedback if you haven’t already. It will be read, but you probably won’t receive a response - Product Feedback - Apple

In the meantime, try a third-party camera app and shoot in RAW like Dogcow-Moof suggested.

That’s what’s great about a market economy; if the iPhone doesn’t work for you you can return it (if within 14 days) or sell it and buy something that does.

Feel free to express your displeasure to Apple here:

Feedback - iPhone - Apple

We’re all just users like you here.

No, I can't.

If it was as easy to disable as you suggest it would be available; it is not that easy any more as it is integrated into the image processing system.

You can ask for such a switch here; filling out Feedback is all any of us here can do:

Feedback - iPhone - Apple

The zoomed image is because if you go beyond 3x it is a digital zoom that loses resolution, as you state.

On the 13 Pro/Max take your photos using Macro mode, which takes close distance photos beautifully.

Take macro photos and videos with your iPhone camera - Apple Support

if you have a non-Pro/Pro Max 13, you're limited by what the camera system can produce, so if you need to take closeup photos, opt for the Pro/Pro Max.

If you believe there is a factory error with your device, have it examined; that’s why there is a warranty:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Apple Support may also be able to run remote diagnostics if you contact them directly:

Contact - Official Apple Support

I’m coming from a Pixel 3, and it feels like a downgrade. So far I’ve noticed two things:

1. More often than not, selecting 3x actually uses the wide camera and up upscales the image. Trying to make a sharp detailed image from 1/3 the pixels results in a blurry mess.
2. Stuff just looks smudged in anything other than bright daylight. Some of this may be a focusing issue, but I’ve noticed a lot of photos of my kids where their hair is sharp, but their skin looks like some sort of makeup filter was applied.

I’m not sure why I paid extra for a 3x zoom that barely gets used, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be returning the phone.

StabbyLoon wrote:

Mind reader? No, it’s called not making assumptions based on your biases.

And you can’t adjust the F-stop, there is no physical aperture.

Hope you feel better soon.

Really? Now you're just demonstrating how LITTLE you know about your camera.

• Open the Camera app, select Portrait, then tap on the f button. A slider will show up next to the shutter button, for you adjust the f-stop, and see the changes as you move it. Once you're happy with the way your photo will look, tap on the f button again. Notice that the button now displays the currently selected f-stop.

If you don't know what you're talking about, you should quit while you're behind.

Interesting, then I might visit an Apple Store.

So you had issues like

• Subject not in focus
• Blurry shots (probably because of focus)
• Face Painting
• Extreme person brightening when there is backlight
• HDR situations with blown out sky's

And all of this is gone?

Then return your phone if you can or sell it and buy a different device.

Thats why Apple has a 14 day return policy, so you can try it and decide if you like it; not every device will suit everyone's needs.

As a an example, I've purchased and returned both AirPods Pro and the third generation AirPods because neither works with my ears, they just fall out.

The camera is far from junk, it's in fact one of the best ever offered on a smartphone, it just doesn't meet your needs.

• Minimum focus distance is a hardware issue.

• Processing may be changed in a future software release.

• "Grain" is what happens when you try to take a digital photo in poor light.

Your second photo shows the over processing done probably by the Deepfusion[*]: I can see the cartoon face effect on the TV person face and clothes. The same effect I see on my 13 mini on people faces.

The 13 series model have increased the pixel size on the sensor in order to get more light in low light. This means less real world information captured by the sensor = less sharp image. Apple think they can outsmart this with their Deepfusion image enhancing algorithms but is my perception that overall the 13 series can not produce better images than older models except in low light conditions.

I have had authorised service replace the camera and no change!

At this moment everyones' affected options are one or more of these:

• return if within the return window
• sell the phone
• wait and hope for adjustments of Deepfusion processing in a software update but remember you cannot beat the laws of physics (the pixels are larger on the sensor!)
• wait and hope we are a small number of people with a defective camera (I don't remember where I've read that they had shortage of supplies for cameras made in Vietnam) *AND* Apple acknowledges and initiates a recall program.

I personally have stopping using it and will try selling my mini at an obivous loss.

[*] https://www.howtogeek.com/445014/what-is-the-deep-fusion-camera-on-the-iphone-11/

«According to Apple, the new mode uses the iPhone 11’s new A13 Bionic chip to do “pixel-by-pixel processing of photos, optimizing for texture, details, and noise in every part of the photo.” In essence, it works similarly to the iPhone camera’s Smart HDR, which takes several shots at varying exposures and combines them to maximize the clarity in the finished image. Where they differ is in the amount of information that needs to be processed.

What Deep Fusion is doing in the background is quite complicated. When the user presses the shutter button in medium light, the camera immediately takes nine pictures: four short images, four secondary images, and one long exposure photo. It fuses the long-exposure with the best among the short images. Then, the processor goes pixel by pixel and selects the best elements from both to create the most detailed photo possible. All of that takes place in one second.»

[Edited by Moderator]