I have an iPad Pro 12.9 inch 5th generation and my selfies are so depressing. I’m 54 and my selfies make it look like I’m 94. Why is this happening and is there anything I can do to correct this? I refuse to get a facelift, BTW. Even my Nailfies (pics of my hands) look atrocious.
[Edited by Moderator]
iPad Pro (5th generation)
You're not alone — this is a common complaint about the iPad Pro's front-facing (TrueDepth) camera, and there are a few reasons it can look unflattering:
Why selfies look worse on iPad Pro:
- The front camera on the iPad Pro 5th gen is 12MP with a wide 122° field of view (ultra-wide). This wide angle lens causes slight distortion, especially on faces and hands held close to the camera
- Holding an iPad at arm's length means the camera is often at an odd angle — below chin, above the head, or off to the side — which is rarely the most flattering perspective
- The "Center Stage" feature (if enabled) crops and zooms digitally, which can reduce image quality
Things you can try to improve your selfies:
1. Disable Center Stage — go to Control Center and toggle it off, or check the Camera app/FaceTime settings. This stops digital cropping
2. Move further back and use something to prop the iPad at eye level — eye-level shots reduce distortion significantly
3. Make sure your lighting is in front of you (facing you), not behind you — back lighting causes the camera to underexpose your face
4. Try using the rear camera with a mirror or the built-in "Selfie" mode workaround — the rear cameras are significantly higher quality
5. Check if "Photographic Styles" or any filters are accidentally applied in Camera settings
The wide-angle front camera is designed more for FaceTime/video calls than portrait photography, which is why dedicated smartphone front cameras tend to look better for selfies. Adjusting your distance and lighting should make a noticeable difference!
You're not alone — this is a common complaint about the iPad Pro's front-facing (TrueDepth) camera, and there are a few reasons it can look unflattering:
Why selfies look worse on iPad Pro:
- The front camera on the iPad Pro 5th gen is 12MP with a wide 122° field of view (ultra-wide). This wide angle lens causes slight distortion, especially on faces and hands held close to the camera
- Holding an iPad at arm's length means the camera is often at an odd angle — below chin, above the head, or off to the side — which is rarely the most flattering perspective
- The "Center Stage" feature (if enabled) crops and zooms digitally, which can reduce image quality
Things you can try to improve your selfies:
1. Disable Center Stage — go to Control Center and toggle it off, or check the Camera app/FaceTime settings. This stops digital cropping
2. Move further back and use something to prop the iPad at eye level — eye-level shots reduce distortion significantly
3. Make sure your lighting is in front of you (facing you), not behind you — back lighting causes the camera to underexpose your face
4. Try using the rear camera with a mirror or the built-in "Selfie" mode workaround — the rear cameras are significantly higher quality
5. Check if "Photographic Styles" or any filters are accidentally applied in Camera settings
The wide-angle front camera is designed more for FaceTime/video calls than portrait photography, which is why dedicated smartphone front cameras tend to look better for selfies. Adjusting your distance and lighting should make a noticeable difference!
Why are my selfies/Nailfies so bad?
