iPhone 15PM is taking blotchy pixelated images at 48MP

Hi guys, I just want to find out what to do because the images on my 15PM are taking very blotchy and pixelated images at 48PM HEIF. I updated to the new iso26 but this only occurred after a month of updating to new software. I went to Apple Store and my phone passed all diagnostics so I am so confused as to what to do. I resettled my phone and set it to factory settings but it is still doing that

iPhone 15 Pro Max, iOS 26

Posted on Oct 22, 2025 10:50 PM

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5 replies

Oct 23, 2025 12:56 AM in response to Niki_10

Are you using iCloud Photos and you have "Optimise iPhone Storage" enabled?

If yes, photos taken with your iPhone and synced with iCloud Photos will be stored in a low resolution version in the photo library on your iPhone. You will have to download them to see the full resolution:


...

When Optimize Storage is turned on, full-resolution photos and videos are stored in iCloud, and, when needed, space-saving copies are stored on your device. And as long as you have enough space in iCloud, you can store as many photos and videos as you want.

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copied from: Manage your photo and video storage - Apple Support



Oct 23, 2025 6:57 AM in response to Niki_10

Niki_10 wrote: So should I turn iCloud Photos off ? And also turn off optimize storage ?
Because I do have enough space so does that make a difference?

There's nothing wrong with trying that. But iCloud and Optimize shouldn't change the looks of pictures on your phone at all-- they look fine on my 16. Optimize may cause a delay for loading the full-sized copy when you go into Edit mode, but other then editing and printing and zooming in, the pictures that are kept local to your phone look great on the phone's screen.


Did the people at the Apple store not see the problem? How did that happen?

Oct 23, 2025 3:46 AM in response to Niki_10

iCloud Photos does not backup your photos. They will only be synced to all your other devices, having iCloud Photos enabled as well and using the same Apple Account.

If you apply changes to your photos or delete photos, these changes will also be made iCloud Photos.

Set up and use iCloud Photos - Apple Support


But, if you need to back up photos or other data saved in iCloud, you can transfer those files to your computer before you delete them.

Archive or make copies of the information you store in iCloud - Apple Support


Turning iCloud Photos off will save all your photos locally on your iPhone and those photos will also be part of the iPhone backup. But you can not extract photos from the iPhone backup, so copying them to a save location from time to time is recommended.

Transfer photos and videos from your iPhone or iPad to your Mac or PC - Apple Support





iPhone 15PM is taking blotchy pixelated images at 48MP

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