How to Fix iPhone 16 Pro Max Camera Focus Issue

Apple made changes to how the camera operates in closeup and macro mode. Most of the users posting here are using their iPhone to shoot spec sheets, menus, and other objects in the closeup range. Macro works, but requires different techniques that are inconvenient for their primary usage.

If you’re using your camera for more normal imagery you’re fine. In my opinion, it’s the best iPhone camera to date. I find it does excellent work for the flowers I photograph up close.

Absolutely true. Apple Support sent me to the nearest Apple Store, guy at the store acknowledged the issue, could not help, saw that the 16 Pros at the store have the same issue and that my son’s 13 Pro takes clearer pictures, told me to contact phone support again and tell them that I posted on this forum and did not receive help, support now wants me to do a screen recording … blabla.

This makes no sense. I know how to take a picture, even with an analog medium format camera. Very disappointing! They should find a solution or offer a trade in for the 17 Pros (assuming a better camera).

Do you have a bachelors in physics? Do you have a masters of fine art in photography? Have you taught photography at MSU for 4 years? Have you worked for the AP? Have you worked for the International Herald Tribune? Are you a certified Lightroom and Photoshop instructor?

What exactly are your credentials in photography?

Perhaps you just like making personal attacks because they don’t fit your agenda of denigrating an excellent product. Please enlighten us with your extensive experience!

I’ve read and participated in the entire thread. I pointed out multiple times Apple changed the minimum focus distance of the 24mm 1X lens. I’ve also pointed out multiple times that ultra wide angle lenses inherently are not sharp in the corners.

Questions on my gear? There’s my iPhone data. Where’s yours?

I shoot everything from iPhones to 4x5 film.

Sorry, your car comparison is lacking in a lot of ways. If your new Lexus was slower and consumed more fuel than the old one you would not accept that.

And my iPhone 13 Pro was able to produce edge to edge sharp pictures of a A4 Page (about 20x30 cm) and my 16 Pro is not.

I understand and accept that the 16 Pro’s 1x lens has a different minimal focus distances than the 13 Pro (likely due to a larger sensor) but then the 16 Pro just does not switch to the 0.5x lens/macro mode at the necessary distance to photograph a A4 page and I can’t do it manually (of course I can switch to 0.5x but this is much wider angle). And this results in blurry pictures no matter what you do. If this is the result of a design change than it is just a bad design.

That’s what a lot of people are explaining over and over again.

I really don’t get what point you are trying to make.

Some barely have the issue because few people accurately came up with a test. Every user picked their own subject, in US A4 is not a size readily available. Distance from subject needs to be within the minimum focus distance of iPhone 16 Pro.

There was consistency with the so called test thus no consistency in the results. Sorry, your statement is irrelevant. Several people posted they went to Apple Store and every iPhone had same issue. Why, because it’s not an issue it’s a design limitation.

Im glad you’re not answering my questions because less teaching for me. It’s evident by your statements you know very little of physics (optics) and calculus. You can’t read an MTF chart and discern a sharp lens from deficient lens. Good luck on your photographic endeavors!

They are too personal, my children. But Always the same problem. Somewhat only one part of the picture is focused or clear. If in portrait mode then only one person is focused the second person, no matter how close is blurred.

I noticed Im on pro Max camera thread I only have iPhone 16 pro phone. Not sure if

thay matters.

compared to

samsung s25 ultra, the pictures are blurred or Aquarell like. Especially when there are more than one subject on the picture.

I agree, the 13mm .5X lens is capable of sharp photos in the macro range.

What some people posting here are experiencing is a lack of sharpness when trying to photograph a full page, A4 (about 8½” by 12”). The 24mm 1X doesn’t focus close enough. When you move closer to fill the frame, iPhone uses Fusion Camera and combines images from both cameras. The resulting corners a not as sharp as the center.

The design limitations, do not adapt well to easy point and shoot photography, for this singular purpose. The average point and shoot photographer (that doesn’t insist on absolute corner to corn sharpness) will find the iPhone 16 models produce exceptional photos.

I know exactly what you mean and have discovered the same issue; why I'm here today. Keep in mind, however, that older versions of iphone did not have "macro" mode, which isn't really macro, it's software that selects what it thinks is the subject, sharpens that and blurs the background, like Portrait mode. I can't get the main camera to focus at all, but wide & telephoto work fine. I think all of it is software issues. Maybe it's harder with larger sensors? Thanks for the empirical evidence!

You just confirmed you didn't get the point, saying :

"incredibly vast majority of users don’t shoot flat copy work at close distances".

That's not the point, it's just more visible and reproductible there.

"critical elements in the extreme corners"

That's still not the place where the problem starts.

"The center of the 16 PM is at least as sharp as previous models"

The center, yes. But just when you get out of the center, the image starts to deteriorate.

And if you knew the rule of thirds (that you may not know according to what you say, just search it to be informed), you should know that the near center IS the place where critical elements can be, and where the problem starts to be really noticeable.

You seems to deliberately ignore that talking always of the center and the far corners to evacuate the problem.

"If your lens is defective"

The problem is not my lens, it is about 90% of the lenses, including those in Apple Stores.

It's not because yours is in the 10% that the problem does not exists.

The standard for measuring resolution is the USAF 1951 Resolution Test Chart. It’s used to measure line pairs per millimeter. It’s measures them in the center, corners, and extreme corners. It is also used for visually determining the distortion type and severity. Corners and extreme corners almost always have lower resolution than the center.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1951_USAF_resolution_test_chart

Many readers expect corners to be as sharp as the center. It’s just not possible in lenses so moderately priced. Most comments are based on emotions and a lack of understanding of lenses, optics and photography in general. Apple is between a rock and a hard place. You’ve got millions wanting more manual controls, yet lack and understanding of how to use them. What many need are an all automatic mode and just point n shoot.

Apple does all the DOF effects in software. It gathers depth information and using AI, creates the blur sometimes associated with bokeh. There is a fun app called FOCOS that does similar things and more. It’s fun to play with.

Do you have an example to share? It would be especially useful if you included the information data as well.

Very low as in what f/number specifically? are you using a tripod or flash in lowlight? Depending on a number of factors, you may need to increase your ISO to a higher numerical value.

Please share one of your old photos, full frame and let’s see those sharp corners. I want to see if it’s sharper than what I just shot and posted.

Yes, creases, folds etc. can move the page out of DOF.

Here’s a near A4 size advertisement at 1X 48 MP. EXIF is in image at bottom

EXIF DATA

iOS 18.2 specifically fix that problem