iPhone 15 Camera Causing Strong Lens Flares in Low Light (Compared to Another iPhone 15)

I’m having a consistent issue with my iPhone 15 when taking photos at night or in dim lighting. Whenever there are strong light sources—like lamps or headlights—they create visible lens flares and light streaks across the image.

In the first photo below (taken with my iPhone 15), you can clearly see diagonal light flares coming from the wall lamps. This has been happening often in low-light settings and negatively affects image quality.

What’s strange is that at the exact same moment, my friend sitting next to me took the second photo using another iPhone 15, and that version doesn’t have the same issue. No light streaks, no flare—just a clean image under identical conditions.

My photo:

My friend’s photo:

• My lens is clean with no smudges or visible damage.

• Both phones are on iOS 18.5

• We used the default camera app with standard settings (no filters or Night mode).

Is this a hardware defect on my unit?

Is this a known issue for some iPhone 15?

Would love any insight from others who’ve experienced something similar, and any advice on what I should do next (service, settings, etc.).

Thanks!

[Edited by Moderator]