iPhone 15 Pro Max I really hope Apple fixes the horrible post processing that the 15 models have in the next generation.

[MathersMahmood]

The post processing in the new series of iPhones has sucked since the 15 series has launched.

This is the main reason why I didn’t like this years purchase and I really hope that Apple fixes this and goes back to how the 13 series took images.

For those who will inevitably comment stating that it’s a non issue you can do the following steps to see the issue;

1. Look at how the image looks in your view finder before you take the image and compare,
2. Have Live Photos enabled and once the image has been captured press and hold the image and you can see how much the post processing has changed the image.

And no, I don’t want to shoot in RAW for every image I take.

Apple dropped the ball on the processing. They used to have the best.

 

[iGeek2019]

Agreed.

Part of me hopes Apple has the foresight to either let users manually toggle settings in the Camera app in the future (w/out the need for a third party app) and/or turn features on/off in Settings in the future.

 

[The Game 161]

I think it's certainly improved from last year. HDR issues have mainly been fixed.

I have the opportunity find x7 ultra and vivo 100 ultra mainly for the camera to get that great camera performance so I can see the frustrating at times as it's quite bit behind both.

 

[now i see it]

The likelihood is high that they are well aware that it sucks. What’s more disturbing is it’s possible that it’s intentional — in order to allow improvements on the next generation.

 

[winxmac]

Have you tried comparing the old and new using the same iOS version and are the results the same or different?

iPhone 14 Pro and 15 Pro are nearly identical camera-wise...

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Genuinely curious what people's complaints are regarding Apple's image processing? I think it's fine on my 15 Pro, and I haven't heard many complaints in the wild about any of the recent iPhone cameras.

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

For me the issue has been smoothing or general lack of detail the moment I’m not in ideal outdoor lighting. There are times where I don’t need to zoom to notice it. Another issue is questionable focusing. I don’t know why but parts that seemingly should be in focus, are not (not talking about bokeh). I don’t know, I’ve always been a fan of the cameras but there are times I miss the camera on my 11 and that’s not a good thing.

 

[ctjack]

Genuinely curious what people's complaints are regarding Apple's image processing? I think it's fine on my 15 Pro, and I haven't heard many complaints in the wild about any of the recent iPhone cameras.

There are some photos (i have a bunch) where you see the real world and like it, take a picture to get it horribly hdr processed. You might think that camera is not capable of capturing it, but then setting another cover page for live photo brings the photo that you planned. Also video does better job than a photo in the same conditions.

Hdr toggle is needed otherwise it makes it worse. Changing covers on all Live Photos is inconvenient and you also rely to choose another photo from live that will not be blurry but it is sketchy since it is a technically a video.

I have noticed that apple is going downhill in terms of software development and optimization. From here they will either change for good or succumb like nokia.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

There are some photos (i have a bunch) where you see the real world and like it, take a picture to get it horribly hdr processed. You might think that camera is not capable of capturing it, but then setting another cover page for live photo brings the photo that you planned. Also video does better job than a photo in the same conditions.

Hdr toggle is needed otherwise it makes it worse. Changing covers on all Live Photos is inconvenient and you also rely to choose another photo from live that will not be blurry but it is sketchy since it is a technically a video.

I have noticed that apple is going downhill in terms of software development and optimization. From here they will either change for good or succumb like nokia.

I can't say I've experienced this? At the same time, I also set-and-forgot a custom Photographic Style when those came out forever ago.

All the photos I take are nice and HDR-enough. Everything in focus is tack sharp, and colors all look like I expect and remembered.

 

[Wizec]

For me the issue has been smoothing or general lack of detail the moment I’m not in ideal outdoor lighting. There are times where I don’t need to zoom to notice it. Another issue is questionable focusing. I don’t know why but parts that seemingly should be in focus, are not (not talking about bokeh). I don’t know, I’ve always been a fan of the cameras but there are times I miss the camera on my 11 and that’s not a good thing.

This, absolutely this.

 

[nburwell]

For me the issue has been smoothing or general lack of detail the moment I’m not in ideal outdoor lighting. There are times where I don’t need to zoom to notice it. Another issue is questionable focusing. I don’t know why but parts that seemingly should be in focus, are not (not talking about bokeh). I don’t know, I’ve always been a fan of the cameras but there are times I miss the camera on my 11 and that’s not a good thing.

This is spot on. I imagine it’s due to the recent iOS software updates, but each time I take a picture of my kids, iOS will “enhance” the image and I just overall do not prefer it at all. Even if I take a landscape picture, I get the same thing. Granted, I have a Fujifilm camera that I like to primarily use, but I don’t bring it everywhere with me and that’s when my 15 Pro comes in. Definitely frustrating for sure.

 

[adrianlondon]

...there are times I miss the camera on my 11 and that’s not a good thing.

Oh dear. I was planning to upgrade my 11 to the 16 later this year.

 

[winxmac]

Since this is about photos taken in iPhone, maybe it's best to have those who do not shoot in ProRAW to post the pictures that they say seem to be over-processed... I mostly shoot in ProRAW and I shoot HDR video since owning the iPhone 14 Pro Max running iOS 16.7... I have not used the iPhone 13 Pro running iOS 18 DB 2 that much for photos and videos so I don't have enough data to compare...

Smart HDR 4 was used both in iPhone 13 series and iPhone 14 series... Some say that Smart HDR 5 in iPhone 15 series is way better...

Also, have you tried checking the photos using other displays, like a computer monitor or another smartphone?

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

Oh dear. I was planning to upgrade my 11 to the 16 later this year.

I think it would be an incredible upgrade for you and hopefully the camera issues are addressed. I say that not truly knowing if the issues I’m seeing are universal across all 15’s, or just certain phones. I’m sure many from the huge thread of iPhone 15 photos would come here to say their photos turn out perfectly fine and I couldn’t argue them. I just know with my phone, it’s been disappointing.