iPhone 11 lens flare issue

iPhone 11 Pro’s Achilles Heel

I purchased my iPhone 11 Pro at the end of November 2019 and noticed that the videos I shot had excessive lens flare artifacts floating all over the footage – and still images as well. I had been using the iPhone 6S prior to trading up for the 11 Pro and never had issues with the 6S.

Business obligations kept me distracted until January of 2020 when I decided to test the 11 Pro again in daylight, low light and evening settings. To my disappointment the “floating artifacts” issues were still present. So I contacted Apple’s online support and here’s what happened:

They did diagnostics remotely as I sat in front of my desktop and followed instructions from Apple support. Their assessment was that there were NO ISSUES with the phone or its camera components. BUT, the very obvious visual problems were still there. So after reopening the support case with two follow-up support team members, I was told to bring the 11 Pro to an Apple store to have their qualified engineer/technician look at the phone and camera system. He immediately saw the excessive “Lens flare/floating artifacts” issues and after much debate with the store manager I was sent home with a replacement 11 Pro. I was hopeful that the lens flare issues were isolated to my original phone.

Fast forward to iPhone replacement No. 3 (2+ weeks later) and the “Lens flare/floating artifacts” are still there. Same highly distractive and unacceptable outcomes with 4 iPhone 11 Pros (the original plus 3 replacements).

The last Apple Support Team member was very helpful but engineering has swept this SIGNIFICANT iPhone 11 Pro image capture problem under their rug. They sent a link to a flimsy and generic article about lens flare that had NOTHING to do with the issues with the 11 Pro that many users are encountering. For the record, I am a Creative Director in the advertising and Graphic Design fields and a freelance photojournalist. I know what lens flare is and the best camera and lenses will create them in different lighting environments. BUT the 11 Pro’s “floating artifacts” are considerably more defined poltergeists that will float and bounce over your live footage (and still images) as if they were created on an overlay layer.

I held out hope that Apple would step up to the plate, admit that there is an “issue” with their expensive new 11 Pros, and that they would address it and better yet, correct the problems. NO SUCH LUCK.

Their position as of this writing is again, that there are no problems with the iPhone 11 Pro’s camera components, software and performance. To say I am frustrated and disappointed is an understatement. I’ve been an Apple products user and fan since the early 80’s. I have spent many thousands of dollars on Apple’s Pro-Level computers and devices. They (Apple) have to know that the “Lens Flare” issues that hundreds if not thousands of users are reporting are REAL, are UNACCEPTABLE, and are an Achilles heel that – is unaddressed – will move many users to alternate solutions outside of Apple’s Ivory Towers.

STEP UP to the plate Apple. Your customers deserve better.

JP, Solvang, California

Hello and welcome to Apple Support Communities, sodacream!

I understand you're seeing a lens flare with your iPhone 11. I'd be happy to provide information to help you address this.

Have a look at the following page: If you see a flare, haze, or spot near the edge of your photo or video

Have a great day!

Me and my partner are just on our way back from our appointment with the manager of our local Apple store.

He admitted it was a problem with the 11 Pro and said there is nothing they can do. We are too far out of our warrantee for a replacement and his only solution was to download a photo shop tool to remove the artefacts!

I paid £2500 to this company for their answer to be download and pay for 3rd party software to fix you photos!

large green spots ruining any photo with a point or points of light isn’t an issue that can be worked around with technique. That suggestion is not at all helpful.

do any 11s work properly? I’m taking this one back for a refund. Will a newer version have this fixed?

Im facing the same issue and it is highly annoying!

I took mine back for a 10r it has a great camera.

i have checked other 11s. I believe they are all bad.