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iPhone 16 Pro Max Camera problems: Blue smudges, lines, etc. [MERGED]
- Thread starter JasonHB
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The issue comes with 30s. Everything under that is pitch black for everybody.
I get the blue result with photos less than 30 seconds.
I have more than half picture with bright blue haze if photo taken for 30s. Some small amount of blue is visible even during average night photo in the dark room taken for 10s without tripod, just holding the phone with hand. But pitch black picture if exposure is 3s.
Not sure if this is hardware or software related, but the blue pattern slightly changes from photo to photo.
I don’t see any blue with regular night photos. I haven’t tried doing astro photography, so no clue if it shows there.
I read about similar issues with the 15 pro about a year ago.
Not sure if this is hardware or software related, but the blue pattern slightly changes from photo to photo.
I don’t see any blue with regular night photos. I haven’t tried doing astro photography, so no clue if it shows there.
I read about similar issues with the 15 pro about a year ago.
Got bored and decided to test it out ... Hopefully it’s “only” a software issue for whoever’s having that issue
Nah 100% normal is the people that get all black pictures. Even the display models at the apple store doesn’t have blue dots
Then you are probably doing the test wrong. Take a photo using a manual camera app in regular RAW, with ISO at 12800 and shutter speed at 1/1. If that image comes out completely black then I will eat my socks.
I’m not sure what you mean here. My phone produces the blue image. My wife’s iPhone 16 Pro produces a purely black image.
Looks like some sensors are out of tolerance (blue image) and some are within (black image). If the issue is with a known batch or manufacturer then they maybe able to mitigate the issue with a software solution that raises the iso on the devices with faulty sensors and leaves the other devices alone. It’s a niche use case so I don’t think it will make the news cycle tbh.
Knowing Apple they will leave it and run through the iffy sensors and improve things moving forwards unless it gets popular recognition.
Mine has the issue but as it was my 3rd unit for screen uniformity and build quality issues I’m loathed to enter yet another return loop with so many other (for me) more important variables likely to raise their ugly heads.
I have only had one iPhone (15 Pro) where I got a good unit on the first attempt and I have owned basically every generation of iPhone.
Most people don’t notice or care about the majority of issues forum members notice and comment on.
In Apples defence though, Samsung have just as many QC issues in my experience.
Knowing Apple they will leave it and run through the iffy sensors and improve things moving forwards unless it gets popular recognition.
Mine has the issue but as it was my 3rd unit for screen uniformity and build quality issues I’m loathed to enter yet another return loop with so many other (for me) more important variables likely to raise their ugly heads.
I have only had one iPhone (15 Pro) where I got a good unit on the first attempt and I have owned basically every generation of iPhone.
Most people don’t notice or care about the majority of issues forum members notice and comment on.
In Apples defence though, Samsung have just as many QC issues in my experience.
Yeah, the stock camera test is fine to see if you have the "everything is blue" issue. I was replying to someone who claimed that hot pixels is also an issue which it is not. Every camera sensor has hot pixels and they will be visible at max ISO. If the entire photo is black, like the poster claimed, then the test is performed in the wrong way. Possibly that the stock night mode 30s did not go high enough in ISO or that the shot was made in JPEG and post processing removed the hot pixels.
In general, the "phone flat, 30s using stock camera"-method is unscientific as it does not guarantee that the same settings are applied each time. This makes it very hard to compare one phone against another. Using a manual camera app and setting the ISO to 12800, shutter to 1/1 and format to unprocessed regular RAW is the only scientific test to examine a camera sensor for hot pixels and other defects.
Joining the bandwagon today. I am now inheriting defective 16 Pro from my wife. She's got the fully functional 15 Pro that does not have a single hot pixel or dot in complete darkness, 30s.
Mine will have all sorts of hot blue mess. 18.1 made it way worse.
What I do realize is this is a big problem with 30s exposure. When going for night mode, 30s - ANY AMOUNT OF EXPOSURE TIME will cause the blue mess. Example 2s, 3s, 5s, 10s. You can terminate the 30s exposure anytime to see the effect.
But with a 10s mode, you will not get much.
It is likely an issue with the sensor hardware so a small amount of noise gets gained up excessively as signal with the 30s setting.
Mine will have all sorts of hot blue mess. 18.1 made it way worse.
What I do realize is this is a big problem with 30s exposure. When going for night mode, 30s - ANY AMOUNT OF EXPOSURE TIME will cause the blue mess. Example 2s, 3s, 5s, 10s. You can terminate the 30s exposure anytime to see the effect.
But with a 10s mode, you will not get much.
It is likely an issue with the sensor hardware so a small amount of noise gets gained up excessively as signal with the 30s setting.
Been using 16 PM for a week, i always shoot astrophotography with 30 sec long exposure since 12,13,14,15 Pro Max. somehow got my 16 PM i noticing a blue post pictures for the first time. until i search and found the issues from the forum. i tested completely black room with no light. i get completely all blue lines. Sent back the phone to AASC (apple authorised service centre) 13 October. Until this week i got my replacement. i tested with IOS 18.0 & 18.1. no more blue post line with the new phone. Just sad about the new phone. it came with phone only not with completely new box. The most frustrating part i was waiting the replacement for 3 weeks plus.
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No issue as mine. This should be a very short topic; if you do any of that, take it back. Exchange it. Done.
May I know what country are you from?
Another question is are you getting a complete unit or is it a repair? 3 weeks is a mighty long wait but at least you resolved your issue....I am also in a bind whether to send mine in.
Malaysia, So by the time i sent the problem unit. the AASC (apple authorised service centre) said sent to Official Apple Service Centre Malaysia. During the return unit. i check from report my replacement get from Apple Singapore.
So my phone case do a lot of transit, From Apple Authorised my area to Official Apple Centre to Apple Singapore.
its just phone replacement only.
You can sent back to the shop that you purchased. its easier because you got receipt. that's the fastest way. other way you need to download the apple support apps from iphone, you need to engage with apple support to check the phone.
I decided to replace……alas, same issue, better screen this time.
Original unit made in China, replacement made in India.
Same location and side by side in pitch black room facing down on fabric so no light and the same software version but ISO significantly higher on new phone which is odd?
I find the variability of components on these phones (screens/camera sensors) concerning.
Original unit made in China, replacement made in India.
Same location and side by side in pitch black room facing down on fabric so no light and the same software version but ISO significantly higher on new phone which is odd?
I find the variability of components on these phones (screens/camera sensors) concerning.
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The devices is assembled in either China or India. However the components, sensor etc. are not (or mostly not) manufactured in the same factory, so I doubt that location would make any difference.
I have many photos with 10s exposure as max (as in when you are still moving around) and the picture is completely black.
But with a 30s exposure, even when terminated at 2s, the picture is blue as heck.
Something is definitely also wrong with the software of the affected units.
Something is definitely also wrong with the software of the affected units.
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Hi there, I read that you're from Malaysia, I am from Malaysia as well and having the same issues. Not sure I should proceed to claim for replacement? If replacement, are they (Apple) giving refurbished unit or new unit? also there is no guarantee that replacement unit wont have the same issue. Dilemma
I feel the exact same dilemma.
I visited a technician at Switch Store yesterday, he did not say whether we will be given a refurbished or new unit.
In fact he claims that there is a possibility of repair - meaning the phone will be opened up and put a new camera / sensor unit.
If you look at user Bo Schmidt above who also happens to be in Malaysia, he got a replacement unit. I reckon that as long as they don't repair you will get a new one as its probably too early to have refurb units available.
Keep us posted what you will do next....sigh.