I can never get a fully clear picture. Only a small portion of the photo I’m trying to take will be in focus while the rest is blurry. I’ve turned macro lens on and off testing if that’s the issue, but it doesn’t change the problem. It’s been like this since I got it on 9/24.
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iPhone 16 Pro Max, iOS 18
You’re not understanding how the simulated Depth of Field (DOF) works. When in Portrait mode, tap the down facing arrow. Near the bottom of the screen, change the f/number to a higher numerical value such as f/5.6 or f/8. If you use a small numerical f/number such as f/1.4 or f/2.8 the DOF is too shallow for both subjects to be in focus.
You’re not understanding how the simulated Depth of Field (DOF) works. When in Portrait mode, tap the down facing arrow. Near the bottom of the screen, change the f/number to a higher numerical value such as f/5.6 or f/8. If you use a small numerical f/number such as f/1.4 or f/2.8 the DOF is too shallow for both subjects to be in focus.
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Now, with all that said, in the actual screenshot I don’t see the Macro symbol. You also didn’t tap the screen and focus on the flower. There is no yellow box on the center of the flower and you are using the 5X lens. The 5X lens does not focus that close. I’ve explained minimum focus distance in this thread multiple times. Please review my posts. They may get a little technical in nature at times, but I used to teach photography at the university level and tend to write technically at times. Sorry.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max has a 3X lens and focuses much closer to the subject than the 5X. Different hardware has different specifications. It’s no different with my Canon cameras and lenses that cost much more than an iPhone 16 Pro Max. All you’re showing are the hardware limitations of two different cameras and lenses. Backup when you use the iPhone 16 Pro Max with the 5X lens. You’re too close.
There, simple fix and no need for an official comment by Apple.
This is the nature of photography and
The closeup images the I’ve been posting are at 48 MP and 1X lens. iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max automatically switch to macro mode, which requires the .5X 13mm ultra wide lens. The 13mm is not as sharp as the 24mm, in my experience.
The iPhone 16 Pros automatically switch to the 13mm lens and drop resolution at specific a specific distance.
On an iPhone 16, macro mode automatically activates when you get very close to a subject, causing the camera to switch to the Ultra Wide lens to capture extreme close-up details; this is indicated by a flower icon in the camera viewfinder, and you can essentially take close-up photos by simply getting near your subject without needing to manually adjust settings, although you can turn off macro mode if needed by tapping the flower icon
Take macro photos and videos with your iPhone camera - Apple Support
Control automatic macro switching
You can control when Camera automatically switches to the Ultra Wide camera for capturing macro photos and videos.
on your iPhone.
appears on the screen. to turn off automatic macro switching.
to turn automatic macro switching back on.>>The camera is broken and you need Apple to replace it. I've just got back from one of their stores and they agreed the camera is the problem.....
if your iPhone camera is broken it will be replaced or repaired under the original warranty or AppleCare
if it is just an engineering issue (bad design) that's going to hit Apple's reputation
jeremyfromcobham
>>Apple wont admit it but the camera is the issue!!
I think you just stated an Apple Genius (I presume what you meant) just acknowledged the problem during your Apple Store appointment -- those people don't make those statements lightly -- document that in your CASE NUMBER and call back in a few days to confirm the conversation has been clearly noted
meantime, be sure to mark this thread ME TOO -- those numbers matter (I think)
What I did not find being mentioned in this thread, is that the minimum focusing distance of iPhones has been increasing steadily over the years probably due to the sensor size and optics increases. I read somewhere exact numbers but I cannot recall where. If my memory serves me right, since the iPhone 13 Pro, the minimum focusing distance of the main camera has been increasing about 1.5 inches (around 4cm) per year and is now close to 10 inches (25 cm).
If any part of the scene is closer that this it will be out of focus, but taking photos at the absolute minimum focus distance will also produce this blur on the edges of the image.
My tests have shown that the minimum distance I can take a photo without this issue affecting my images is above 15 inches (around 40 cm).
And this seems to be a physical limitation and not something that will ever be fixed in software.
With over 60 years in photography, what I see in the "blurred" image is actually camera movement during the exposure. Zoom in and you will see the camera movement went vertically downward as the shot was taken. Out of focus images typically have more of a uniform "faint halo" all the way around the image details.
This photo suggests iPhone movement during exposure. It is probably caused by lower light levels and longer exposure times.
I suggest experimenting in lower light and supporting the camera firmly on a chair, wall, etc, to assure zero movement of the iPhone (or purchase a cheap iPhone holder and tripod adapter to use). I also suggest reviewing the embedded info for the image to see the shutter exposure times the camera used for images affected.
Another thing that may help is to turn on the iPhone flash to ON to force it to be used in lower light levels.
Also, look in the camera menu, etc, for options to "reset" camera settings back to default. More then once, I hit a wrong tab while using my iPhone 15 PRO Max camera and did not realize it.
The 24 MP is the 1X 24mm lens. It’s not designed for closeup or macro. The 13mm is the .5X 13mm ultra wide which is designed for closeup up and macro. The 13mm is f/2.2 and provides more DoF than 24mm.
Best quality closeup will be 13mm ProRaw Max so you get 48 megapixels and then convert to jpeg or HEIF depending on your needs. Mount on tripod and add light to get shutter to at least 1/60 second shutter speed, but might be a little sharper.
Some third party apps will shoot ProRaw Max and jpeg at same time so you don’t have to convert 48 megapixel files.
I see in your example what others (and myself) are complaining about
these issues have already been discussed:
lens barrel distortion (I'm not sure if that encompasses blurry corners, but blur in the corners is arguably a by product of the iPhone 16 pro optical lens design)
fixed f/stop - wide open - shallow depth of field: these iPhone lenses only shoot wide open at f/1.78, f/2.2 (so we can't stop down to extend their extreme shallow depth of field) -- we have to actually tap focus if we want any selective focus control
the correct point to tap focus lock is on a person's eyes -- and if one gets the eyes in focus the rest doesn't matter so much -- my instinct is the Apple software is excellent at focusing on eyes (human or animal) with little user effort as long as they are in a realistic space that depth of field can cover
focus plane, film plane, sensor plane (what ever people call it these days) must be parallel with the plane of focus (your FLAT surface) for optimal test results shooting FLAT documents, but only lenses designed for copy work prioritize this match up in a 'perfect' scenario
THAT MEANS if we have 2-3 or more faces in a frame of half bodies, for example -- we have to get everyone's eyes lining up in parallel with the sensor plane if we want everyone's eyes sharp -- this has never changed
these iPhone lens don't seem to optically BROKEH well -- but amazing in Apple's software processing
software (over processing): shoot RAW (stills) or LOG (video) to observe the processing...
>> For close ups, i used to be able to tap the subject and it would adjust focus. Not any more.
try backing away an inch at a time and re-tapping (you may be too close for lens to focus)
if indeed your tap is flaky -- within tappable focus range -- you may indeed have defective hardware (open a case with AppleCare and get your case number documented on record)...
>>Im not sure why there are people on this thread that are in denial about the issue. We may not all be photography experts, which is exactly why we use the iphone. We want point and shoot photography where we dont see parts of the image, or peoples faces, blurred.
I see very little denial here about the issue -- more basics 101 about HOW to focus proper and release the shutter proper to help rule out user error (no disrespect intended, I've always learned the most in forums when I was wrong or misinformed)
the iPhone shoots "wide open" and has very shallow "depth of field" by design (especially closer the camera gets to subject)
that's just how Apple designed their system -- and that's the physics how lens focusing works
REPEAT:
focus plane, film plane, sensor plane (what ever people call it these days) must be parallel with the plane of focus (the sets of eyes in your frame)
THAT MEANS if we have 2-3 or more faces in a frame of half bodies, for example -- we have to get everyone's eyes lining up in parallel with the sensor plane (within the lens depth of field) if we want everyone's eyes sharp -- this, too, has never changed
this is why you see professionals stop and move subjects in line with their depth of field -- its why they don't put fat people on the ends of a group or have tall people in front of short people -- "all the girls with nice legs up front" (if your group has the energy for that line)...
Take your camera to an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider for diagnostics.
Apple can diagnose the issue and offer a repair or placement (at their option) if it’s determined to be defective.
If you want to run through some basics here. I’m happy to assist. Just post a couple of images illustrating the issue and include the camera settings.
Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple
Apple has changed the camera module and the camera does not focus as close in 1X as previous models. The Fusion Camera is using the .5X for macro mode. The 13mm lens is not as sharp in the corners as the 1X.
You can stand further back from your subject and choose 1X lens and 48 MP resolution or use a different camera.
The last two posters are claiming closeup photos. I’ve posted numerous extremely sharp handheld shots too. Your point?
New posters obviously aren’t reading the thread. One I responded to claims had the camera replaced. I find it hard to believe a replacement camera isn’t sharp.
Major YouTube reviewers aren’t noting it either. Shayne Mostyn that noticed the blue streaks and acknowledged Apple fixed it with an iOS release has said nothing about any sharpness issues.
Closeup focus has changed, but at the distance the 1X focuses, images are sharp. People just aren’t understanding that close focus has changed on the 1X. It does not focus as close as prior versions. My wife’s iPhone 15 Pro Max focuses 2 to 3 inches closer than my 16 PM. Both are on 18.3.1. The 1X on the 16 PM just does focus as close. It never will. Future models probably won’t either. Apple is relying on the .5X for macro now that it’s 48 MP.
Hi,
I’m sorry to hear you’re having focus issues with your iPhone 16 Pro Max camera. Other users have reported this problem too. Here are some steps to help fix it:
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I confirm the problem.
Tests done on 8 iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max + my iPhone 16 Pro, as well as on 3 iPhone 16 (non Pro), in iOS 18.2.1. And on an iPhone 14 and an iPhone 13 :
My conclusions on the origin of the problem :
The problem disappears as soon as you switch to wide-angle macro mode, typically in the short range of distances where the camera offers the option of switching to macro mode or not. So, for the same photo and distance, the lens used behaves differently: one produces blurred photos as soon as you move away from the center, while the other produces very sharp photos over the whole field.
This is not diffraction, as the “trails” observed are monochromatic, including in ProRaw, and therefore taken as such by the sensor without any software processing.
My conclusion: it's obviously a hardware problem. With a one-in-10 chance of finding an acceptable (albeit imperfect) model. Which is... unacceptable considering the price of the device, and the fact that the non-pro model clearly doesn't have the problem.
How to Fix iPhone 16 Pro Max Camera Focus Issue
