After iOS 18.2 update, Major Camera Issue on iPhone 16 Pro Max

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Level 1

87 points

After iOS 18.2 update, Major Camera Issue on iPhone 16 Pro Max

After upgrading to iOS 18.2, I'm experiencing major camera app issues on iPhone 16 Pro Max. While using the telephoto (5x) camera while recording in 4K60FPS, there is massive jitter (video is shaking back and forth on the screen) when recording videos. Luckily this jitter aka "shakiness" does not appear in the saved (MOV) file.

Regardless, it's very unsettling to experience this issue, especially since I bought the iPhone 16 Pro Max to record professional (cinema-grade) quality videos.

I have tried the beta versions of iOS and doing a complete (factory) reset of the device, but to no avail.

My iPhone 15 Pro Max that I've carefully prevented upgrading to iOS 18 is not experiencing any issues.

iPhone 16 Pro Max, iOS 18

Posted on Apr 17, 2025 12:14 PM

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Answer 1

Jeff Donald

Level 8

41,382 points

Apr 17, 2025 03:58 PM in response to Jeeve_Stobs

Have you demonstrated the issue to an Apple Retail Store Genius? I seem to recall you’ve posted multiple times on this issue, and I recommended contacting Apple Support. Did you ever have remote diagnostics performed? If so, what was the outcome?

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Answer 2

Jeeve_Stobs Author

Level 1

87 points

Apr 17, 2025 05:13 PM in response to Jeff Donald

I recently ran diagnostics on my iPhone 16 Pro Max and everything passed—except for the camera, which failed the test. Since the device is covered under AppleCare+, I sent it in for service as advised.

Apple returned the phone fairly quickly, but unfortunately, the camera issue is still present. I've double-checked everything on my end, and the problem persists.

At this point, I'm back to using my iPhone 15 Pro Max, since the 16 Pro Max isn't reliable for any of my videography needs. Has anyone else experienced something similar? Would appreciate any advice on next steps.

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Answer 3

Jeeve_Stobs Author

Level 1

87 points

May 4, 2025 01:11 PM in response to Jeff Donald

Yes, I sent my iPhone 16 Pro in for repairs under AppleCare. The replacement I received had a new camera module, but after field testing it, I found the issue was actually worse. All videos recorded using the telephoto lens were blurry and out of focus, even when tapping to focus.

Fortunately, I had video evidence of the problem and brought it to my local Apple Store. They replaced the logic board on site and returned the device the same day. Unfortunately, that didn’t resolve the camera issue — and on top of that, the screen began flickering uncontrollably.

The Genius Bar technician advised that if problems persisted, I should call Apple Support and request an AppleCare Express Replacement. When I called to do this, I ran into a new problem: the logic board replacement had changed the phone’s serial number, but my AppleCare coverage was still tied to the original one. As a result, the Express Replacement couldn’t be processed.

My case was escalated to a senior support specialist, who then had to submit a ticket to Apple engineering to manually correct the AppleCare record. After several days, the issue was finally resolved and I was able to initiate the Express Replacement process.

I’m now field-testing the replacement iPhone 16 Pro Max and monitoring for any further issues.

Overall, this has been a frustrating experience. Had I been informed about the AppleCare Express Replacement option from the start, I would’ve chosen that route and avoided weeks of wasted time and ineffective repairs.

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