If there are any iPhone camera articles on the internet, this is THE iPhone camera article. I have a lot of thoughts about iPhone cameras. A LOT. I love them, I hate them, I worship them, I curse them out loud. If you’re an iPhone user who actually cares about photography, you know exactly what I mean.
On one hand, Apple makes cameras that deliver some of the best, most balanced, natural-looking photos straight out of the box. On the other hand, they keep ruining faces. I swear, with every new iPhone, the portrait mode and selfie quality get worse. The way it handles skin textures, the aggressive sharpening, and the weird lighting make it look like Apple actively wants to make us look bad.
I’m here to share with you my own ways to work around it, some lifehacks that make things better, and some accessories that can seriously upgrade your iPhone photography game. So let’s get into it.
Table of Contents
Why iPhone Cameras Are (Still) the Best Overall
I have tested Samsung, Google, Xiaomi—you name it. And no, I don’t care what tech YouTubers say, iPhones still produce the best overall photos. The colors? More realistic. The shadows? More balanced. The dynamic range? Just right.
While Samsung oversaturates everything and makes the world look like a pack of Skittles exploded, Google’s Pixel tries to be ‘smart’ and sometimes messes up skin tones completely. The iPhone, though? It keeps things real.
Now, I know some Android users love to flex their ridiculous 100x space zoom by snapping a blurry, AI-enhanced picture of the moon as if they’re NASA interns. But let’s be honest—who actually cares? I don’t need a picture of a celestial body that I will never print, post, or even look at twice. I need my breakfast photo to look delicious without looking radioactive. I need my selfie to capture my actual skin tone, not some weirdly processed, overly brightened version of myself with overtextured skin. And I need my night-out shots to be crisp, not looking like they’ve been run through an oil painting filter.
The thing is, Apple gets the little details right. Skin tones look natural, food looks appetizing (not neon), and low-light shots don’t turn into a blurry mess. Sure, other brands have their strengths, but when it comes to everyday photography—the kind that actually matters—iPhones just deliver, no gimmicks needed.
But Why Is Apple Destroying Faces?
I don’t know what kind of evil algorithm Apple has been cooking, but they are doing something weird to faces.
- Selfies? Over-sharpened, weird lighting, and somehow, my face always looks worse than in real life.
- Portraits? The texture is too enhanced, like Apple thinks we all need to see every tiny pore in 4K HDR.
- Low light? Oh, great, now my face looks like a wax statue.
It wasn’t always like this! I swear, the iPhone 11 Pro did a better job with faces than the latest models. And it drives me absolutely mad.
Lifehack: How to Fix iPhone’s Face Problem
Here’s a trick I found—use TikTok or Instagram’s built-in camera instead of the default one. I KNOW it sounds ridiculous, but hear me out.
- These apps don’t over-sharpen your face like the iPhone camera does.
- The lighting looks softer and more flattering.
- Portrait mode actually looks good instead of looking like an AI experiment gone wrong.
Downside? The quality takes a hit. Social media cameras slightly degrade the image. So you have to choose: better skin texture or better resolution?
It’s not ideal, but it’s a fix until Apple gets its act together.
Nature vs. Baddie Portraits: iPhone Can Do Both (Kinda)
I take two types of photos: stunning nature shots and badass, editorial-style portraits for my friends. And honestly? The iPhone does a pretty solid job at both… if you know how to work around its flaws.
- For nature shots: The ultra-wide lens is a beast, and Smart HDR makes skies and landscapes look insane.
Check out these photos—first one’s me, taken with an iPhone. The second? Shot on a Samsung. See the difference?
- For baddie portraits: Avoid the default portrait mode (because, you know, the face issue). Instead, take regular photos and use third-party apps like Instagram or TikTok to get better depth and skin tones.
The potential is there. You just have to fight the software a bit (while paying that much? Don’t even get me started)
How to Get That 2015 Photo Effect
If you’ve been scrolling through Instagram and noticed that dreamy, slightly grainy, high-flash look making a comeback—congrats, you’ve just witnessed the 2015 aesthetic revival. That early-Instagram, Tumblr-era vibe is everywhere again, and the easiest way to nail it? Ditch your fancy new iPhone and go back to an iPhone 5 (or even older).
Why Use an Old iPhone?
Back in the early 2010s, iPhone cameras had this slightly lower resolution, higher contrast, and built-in grain that gave photos a nostalgic, effortless cool. The flash was harsher, HDR was less aggressive, and editing apps weren’t overcompensating with AI smoothing. The result? Raw, unfiltered, and perfectly imperfect photos.
How to Recreate the Look
- Use an iPhone 5, 5s, or even iPhone 4 – These models capture the exact lower-quality, higher-contrast aesthetic without needing a filter.
- Turn on the flash – The old iPhone flash gives that signature overexposed, paparazzi-style look. Perfect for party pics or nighttime snaps.
- Shoot in low-light – Older iPhones struggle in dim lighting, which actually works in your favor by adding a natural grainy effect.
- Skip portrait mode – Sharp edges and ultra-clear backgrounds ruin the vintage feel. Keep it classic with a simple, straight-on shot.
- Use minimal editing – Apps like VSCO (with the A4 or HB2 filter) or Huji Cam help replicate that washed-out, slightly desaturated finish.
Celebs Already Doing It
If you need inspo, look no further than Addison Rae’s Instagram. She’s been using an old iPhone to post throwback-style pics that feel straight out of a 2015 Tumblr mood board. The aesthetic is effortlessly cool, nostalgic, and refreshingly unpolished.
So, if you’re tired of the hyper-HD perfection of modern smartphone cameras, just grab an old iPhone and embrace the vintage vibe. No need for fancy edits—just point, shoot, and post like it’s 2015 again.
Best Additions to Your iPhone Camera
Even though the iPhone camera is already top-tier, a few key accessories can take it to the next level. Whether you want to capture ultra-wide shots, stabilize your videos, or level up your mobile photography setup, here are some must-have additions.
1.Planck SSD: Powerful Storage Hidden in Your Palm
Dare I say, the hottest product on this list? This tiny but powerful SSD slips right into your pocket and gives you tons of extra space for your photos and videos. No more deleting clips just to make room for new ones. Plus, with its crazy-fast speeds, you can offload footage in seconds and get back to filming.
Perfect for content creators, mobile filmmakers, or anyone who relies on their iPhone camera, Planck SSD keeps your storage worries out of the way so you can focus on capturing the moment.
2. Rheed+: MagSafe Stand and Reading Lens
Up next is RHEED. This sleek MagSafe stand isn’t just a phone dock—it’s also a built-in reading lens that makes tiny text crystal clear. Whether you’re reviewing notes, checking labels, or reading in low light, it gives your eyes a break without the hassle of pulling out reading glasses.
3. Sandmarc Macro Lens – Get Up Close and Personal
For those who love capturing extreme details—think flowers, insects, or textures—the Sandmarc Macro Lens is a solid choice. It lets you take stunning close-ups with insane clarity, something the iPhone’s default lens can’t quite match.
Conclusion
I love the iPhone camera, but I also think Apple is playing some cruel joke with the way they handle faces. The hardware is incredible, but the software? A rollercoaster of emotions.
The good news? There are fixes. You can use social media cameras, tweak settings, and grab some killer accessories to take your photos to the next level.
Apple, if you’re reading this, please stop making our faces look worse. Until then, we’ll have to keep hacking our way to better iPhone photography.
Yours truly,
S, XOXO
