Level 1

35 points

iPhone 16 Pro Max Front Camera Blurriness

My sister and I recently upgraded from the iPhone 11 to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and we have both noticed a drastic difference in the front camera quality. Whether it be on Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, or even the Camera app that comes on every iPhone, the front camera sucks. As soon as you use the camera, it’s super blurry, and the quality is terrible. If you stay still, it will clear up, but if you move around, it gets blurry again. It’s extremely aggravating because I’ve tried messing around with the camera settings, and nothing helps. Is anyone else having a similar issue?

iPhone 16 Pro Max, iOS 18

Posted on Oct 5, 2024 7:23 AM

Top-ranking reply

benediktas69

Level 1

8 points

Posted on Dec 26, 2024 12:09 PM

Hi,

I believe the issue of blurry photos taken by the front facing camera is caused by the following setting:

Settings > Camera > Portraits in Photo Mode

The description in this setting states: “Automatically capture depth information if a person, dog or cat is prominent in the frame in Photo mode so you can apply Portrait effects later.”

When this is enabled, you will see a portrait icon on the top left of each photo and have the possibility to retrospectively turn on portrait mode on your photos. However I believe even though this feature works well with the back camera, it’s causing problems for the front facing camera focus.

Photos were out of focus and blurry for me, but look fine now after disabling it so whoever is facing this issue please give this a go - hope it helps!

The iPhone 16 is a great piece of tech and I believe this is an iOS issue that’s causing this problem, I hope it gets fixed soon and I hope you all don’t get too frustrated over your new (and arguably the most expensive) devices because of this.

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57 replies

Jan 2, 2025 11:36 PM in response to Apobangpo13

I have noticed with my iPhone 16 pro that in the light the blurriness is not seen but I should be able to take photos not in direct sunlight with the price tag of this phone

Jan 8, 2025 7:27 PM in response to Apobangpo13

Go to settings then go to camera control and then turn on AE/AF LOCK and your camera should be back to good that’s what I did and it worked

maxvag

Level 1

14 points

Jan 11, 2025 8:26 AM in response to maxvag

My issue is on the primary lens 1x.

I didn't know there was a problem with the front camera too (which I use very rarely)

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,772 points

Jan 11, 2025 8:36 AM in response to maxvag

The title of the thread you post in is “iPhone 16 Pro Max Front Camera Blurriness.”

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,772 points

Jan 19, 2025 6:48 AM in response to user_1245

What app are you using for selfies?

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,772 points

Jan 28, 2025 11:13 AM in response to Crecept

What app are you using for selfies?

Feb 10, 2025 10:07 PM in response to Apobangpo13

Also having the same issue. It makes me want to return the phone!

Feb 13, 2025 9:00 AM in response to user_1245

Yeah me too. From 11pro to 16 pro max. I just want my 11pro front cam quality back!!!

mirza118

Level 1

14 points

Feb 18, 2025 4:52 AM in response to Apobangpo13

Me tooo!! Front camera is blurry blurry not focused and the picture quality is soo bad why??

Feb 22, 2025 2:02 PM in response to Ssprinkle

Did you find a solution yet ?

Spooni23

Level 1

8 points

Mar 1, 2025 5:07 AM in response to benediktas69

Thank you for the advice - i was getting frustrated until i saw your post!

Mar 25, 2025 10:40 PM in response to Apobangpo13

Mine too. Pictures are horrible and somehow pixel quality is poor. When i zoom a bit pixels are distorted.

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iPhone 16 Pro Max Front Camera Blurriness