My new iPhone 13 mini takes blurry close up photos. My first generation 1 SE (~2016) took much better photos. why?

I bought the 13 specifically for the camera and it’s the worst. It won’t focus at all and is always blurry. My kids play sports and I’ve always been able to take good shots of the ‘‘em on the field with my 11. I wish I had never upgraded. The camera loses focus if they move and half the time I end up with blurry or grainy pictures that aren’t worth a darn. Tried changing the settings and still no luck. This camera on this phone is a lemon.

I have the same issue with my iPhone 13 regular model (not pro or mini). My iPhone 11 I just traded in took much better close up pictures. I’ve already talked with a customer support rep who is upchanneling my issue. I also sent Apple tech support a feedback email. Surely the camera system has to be better on these than older model?. I’m hoping it’s just a software issue and not the camera. I even did a side by side with my buddy’s 11 and my 13, his gets twice as close to an object before picture quality is degraded. He is running iOS 14.8 and I have 15.1. This is unacceptable and Apple needs to resolve this immediately.

Yes agreed I have the mini too and it’s horrible at taking close ups and detailed images. Can’t even enlarge the focused pics well. I’ve reverted back to using my old android for work and then have to email myself the pics using Wi-Fi. And the predictive text is junk, it’ll type what I want then change it unless I hit the quotes, and to change 1 letter it’s easier to retype it. What a poor excuse for a new phone this is. Not impressed for the price.

I had a 1st gen iPhone SE for 5 years and had no issues with it until the top button broke and it ran out if space.

My new iPhone 13 mini has two issues. Haptics will not stay shut off with the settings, and the camera won't focus on objects closer than 9 inches away. The camera is absolute garbage compared to my old SE.

Can you get in focus and sharp images on subjects at closer than 12cm? Could you post a sample please? My 13 mini doesn't focus on anything closer than that, and neither the 13 minis I've visited in three different showrooms!

Hi. I have İphone 13 mini and i have same problem. Today i went to Apple Store and talked the genius. They heard the problem first time from me. We try to all phones but just the problematic phones are iphone 13 mini and iphone 13. They said “we cant do anything you should wait the uptade.” Please fix the problem Apple!!

Mine has the same issue. It’s the worst camera phone I’ve ever had.

Hey there gingerfromaustin,

Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities. We’ll be happy to help with your iPhone camera. 

“Your camera automatically focuses the image and adjusts the exposure based on what you’re pointing it towards. That way, you always start with a brightly lit photo.

You can change the camera focus and exposure to a specific area. Before you take the photo, tap the place on the screen that you want to adjust. If you want to keep the focus and exposure in the same spot, press and hold on the screen until you see AE/AF Lock.” This article has more info:

Use camera modes on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

Also, check out the info under “Adjust your focus and exposure”:

About the Camera features on your iPhone

Take care.

Yes!,, Hate this phone. 5G is terrible. Photos are terrible. T-Mobile did not honor the 500.00 credit when I bought it from Apple. Thoroughly disgusted with the phone, T-Mobile’s 5 g service, their not honoring their promotion and the horrible camera. May switch to Samsung after this phone and I’ve been a loyal apple and T-Mobile customer for years.

mm, I think the battery is more reliable than my old SE, which lost charge very quickly by the end - my IT support said changing the battery was risky, and could damage other stuff.

so, tethering seems pretty good with my iphone 13 mini.

I've been hugely disappointed with the camera - both 'cos of lack of focus as someone says above than 9 " - but also ghastly distortions with over wide angle lens - both of 'em.

interested that some people have had some improvement by eg going to store - mmmm

this seems to be the same issue discussed here https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253274654?page=1

perhaps mods should join them?

I hate my iPhone 13 mini. I almost never get 5G and it takes terrible photos. So sorry I traded in my iPhone 11.

I agree, my iPhone 12 Pro took significantly better images than this 13 mini. I regret selling the 12 and buying this. I love the size factor but the camera somehow got much worse.

Same problems with mine. Hate it. May go Samsung next