How to Fix iPhone 16 Pro Max Camera Focus Issue

Apple iPhone cameras always shoot wide open because they do not have an aperture. Edges are blurred because the 1X and .5X are wide angle lenses and typically suffer from barrel distortion. The use of lens profiles and AI help with minimizing the distortion.

Looking at images at 100% (1:1) is pointless unless printing very large. If critical image quality is needed for small display mediums requires editing specifically for the viewing size etc.

I exchanged mine hoping the one I originally bought was just a lemon but unfortunately the new one is doing the same thing. I was going to try a 15 pro Max instead but I would have lost my promotion as it was just on the 16. I got mine through Verizon. I have a case with Apple open now so hopefully I will hear back Tuesday. Apple keeps telling me hardware is fine and nothing is wrong however they see my pictures and clearly something is not right. They say to try different settings but can’t give me a direct answer. I’ve tried every setting and nothing works. I’m very frustrated to say the least.

Hello,

I have the same issue with my iPhone 16 Pro. I returned it to an  reseller, and they replaced camera and everything (except the battery and screen). However, the problem with blurry images still persists. For now, I’ve decided not to return it again, at least not yet.

What’s even more surprising is that two employees at the reseller store had the same issue on their iPhone 16 Pro, and they weren’t even aware of it. That makes me wonder how many more people haven’t noticed this problem yet.

Honestly, it’s quite embarrassing for the brand that a flagship iPhone takes worse photos than a 10-year-old model. I might try returning it at an official  store or request a full refund at the reseller and either buy a 15 Pro or wait for the 17 Pro. This is unacceptable, and it’s frustrating that no one seems to be talking about it, except here...

I can reproduce the focus issue at will because I understand the complaint

---with my iPhone 16 Pro Max locked down on a heavy tripod and using a remote bluetooth shutter release and the surface of the camera's image sensor in parallel with the detail (depth of field) I want in focus---

maybe my iPhone 16 Pro Max is defective, too -- maybe I don't know how to use the camera, either (tap focus, and zoom in to 100 percent to evaluate pixel sharpness)

but plenty of examples already posted on this thread illustrate what I am seeing here, too -- and some obvious user errors and unclarities in posts

u-tubers not talking about the issue are most likely involved with sponsors or agendas (if they are real camera operators or just editorializing their bias or weak expertise, or just not interested in the issue)

I am a firm believer in SEEING IS BELIEVING...

+++++

someone made the comment new posters aren't reading this thread before they post -- who can blame them -- this thread has become unreadable for most people except that they can see they are not the only ones, and at least one poster said they were told Apple is aware of the complaint

at that point I would just mark this "me too" and move on -- unless you want to have lengthy conversations and spend more time testing/ troubleshooting steps for Advisors who may or may not be keen or able to put your results in the hands of someone who can actually do something about it

So, to your specific issue.

1. Don't use macro mode.
2. Shoot from about 30-40cm away.
3. Look for slightly dim lighting—too bright, and you won't see the issue.
4. Try photographing text with the focus on the center and then check the edges for clarity.
5. No matter what other camera settings you're using, as long as you follow the points mentioned above and the text at the edges of your picture is clear, then everything should be fine.

1. I’m not using macro.
2. iPhone 16 PM (subject of this post) does not focus that close. iPhone 16 does not focus until about 20” to 24” or 50 to 60cm. This is what I’ve said all along. I’ve stated, to focus at 10” to 14” inches you’ll use macro which involves the 13mm .5X which as I noted is not sharp in the corners.
3. Never shoot in dim light. All smartphone cameras do poorly in low light. They produce more noise and focus less accurately and slower. There are techniques and skill sets I could teach to overcome some of these limitations, put you don’t seem to welcome my participation.
4. Text in center will be sharp in center at 50 to 60cm. Corners will be less sharp but acceptable. This is because no cellphones use flat field lenses. No cellphone has corners as sharp as centers at or near minimum focus distances.
5. Not sure what any of that is in reference to.

I suggest you learn more about lenses and optics. Start here,

https://www.edmundoptics.com/knowledge-center/application-notes/optics/introduction-to-modulation-transfer-function/?srsltid=AfmBOorbUbJl4NlbZAY_Mr9HVVO8McIBKsUWidjM0vBUPUYSXgt5Qrme

Get through that and you might be in a second or third year college course. That’s the simplified version that I didn’t spend 2 hours on for my students. Don’t worry, no quiz on it.

I mentioned flat field lenses, here’s a good article,

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/tips-and-solutions/flat-field-lenses-and-why-they-matter-when-shooting-close-ups#

Lastly, here’s an article on minimum focus distance of a lens.

https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Photography-Tips/How-to-Calculate-Lens-Working-Distance.aspx

Good luck with learning the material but your cameras aren’t defective. Your cameras changed and you didn’t. This issue is your unwillingness to learn and understand the material.

Lastly, one of my favorite quotes I shared with my students.

“The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it!”

Ansel Adams

PS: Stretch your minds!

Shine75, the forums don’t use @ symbol and never has. You replied to Uhhlyssa, see the small text in your post? If you want to reply to me, you click the reply button under the post you’re replying to.

No, I’m not lost in anything. It seems you’re not understanding and reading what I write.

Do you understand the 1X quits focusing at about 24 inches? That’s about where it ends.

Do you understand I haven’t mentioned macro once?

Do you understand When the 1X can’t focus any closer, you need to switch to another lens the focuses closer?

What lens does the iPhone 16 Pro have that focuses closer than 24” (~60cm)? Hint, there’s only one that focuses closer and it’s not the 5X.

Do you understand the .5X is an ultra wide lens and because of multiple design considerations is not sharp in the corner?

Do you understand the ultra wide lens cost ~ $3000 and up to have corners as sharp as the center?

Do you understand nether the iPhone 16 Pro 1X and .5X changed over previous models?

Do you understand not anyone here or at Apple, can change with software or firmware, how the .5X and 1X can focus?

Do you now understand change, and you made the wrong choice of cameras?

finnbaerle

no disrespect, your example is poor for a number of reasons and most likely user error:

your focus did not lock, or more likely, the camera or subject waved out of focus

your actual image looks completely out of focus

if I am wrong then you have a defective camera

i shot this a couple days ago (full unaltered image, shot jpg) -- locked focus on the white bulb thing -- and my iPhone 16 PM nailed focus (by my standard):

Macro Micro photography (extreme close up) at f2.2 only provides a few millimeters of depth of field

Shooting flowers blowing in the wind -- handheld -- in these example is hit or miss -- even for the most skilled...

Post 2 examples with settings used and the issue can be diagnosed.

Please post an example screenshot with the information showing so I can see what you’re doing.

Great, now provide some context for each image. The easiest way is to open in Photos and tap I button and take a screenshot. Here an example.

Your picture is way too abstract to show anything except a nice green hue.

We are talking about text here. Take a pic of a book page using the 1x instead and post the result.

Hey mate you basically take a photo on the main camera and when you zoom into corners and especially when it’s text, the quality is horrid. I have taken photos with my iPhone 11 Pro Max, 13 pro, 14 pro max and 16 pro max, and it’s actually gotten worse from 14 onwards. For example i use the IP13P for work and I have to take photos of a specific sheet with serial numbers and a a few values which i have to eventually enter into a spreadsheet and thi sis how i came across it when i has to zoom in i noticed how terrible the main lens was. Ill show you a couple of my comparisons below:

I appreciate the images, but without the settings used, it reveals nothing.

Here’s my iPhone 16 macro shot taken just a couple minutes ago.

The above image shows lack of DoF at top of bottle, but overall looks sharp.

Crop of above image, center of frame

I see what you shot. Did you see what I shot? Duplicate it with a tape measure/ruler in the scene. Your comparisons don’t have any context. What size are the objects in real life? What settings are you using? Your crops don’t even match.

Mine too 24mm. I’m going to look closer at these in the morning. But my initial thought is your lens isn’t sharp as it should be. I >think< your lens might be defective. It’s just not focusing correctly or it’s maybe misaligned. I get up in about 7 hours, but I’ll look again in the morning.