I assumed I had the perfect iPhone digital camera settings just because I’ve the iCellphone 16 Professional Max — the newest and best smartphone providing from Apple.
Nonetheless, I used to be humbled rapidly after I noticed Mashable’s skilled photographer, Joe Maldonado, capturing out within the discipline with a extremely tuned iPhone 14 Professional. Though we have been taking the identical images, and regardless of utilizing the perfect handset out of Cupertino, Maldonado’s images turned out extra crisp, sharper, and extra vibrant than mine.
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At first, I assumed a unclean lens was the issue. However even after rigorously cleansing the sensors with a microfiber fabric, Maldonado’s images have been nonetheless far superior to mine.
Lastly, I requested, “Wait, how does your iPhone 14 Pro take better pictures than my iPhone 16 Pro Max?”
“It’s all about the settings,” Maldonado mentioned.
Mashable Gentle Pace
Greatest iPhone digital camera settings, based on an professional
So how do you get the crème de la crème of photograph high quality out of your iPhone? Observe these steps — and thank Maldonado later.
- iPhone
- ideally a current Professional mannequin
Step 1:
Go to ‘Settings’

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Step 2:
Faucet on ‘Digicam’

Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Step 3:
Faucet on ‘Codecs’
Right here, ensure “High Efficiency” beneath Digicam Seize is ticked in addition to “24 MP” beneath Picture Mode. Plus, ensure “ProRAW & Resolution Control” is toggled on.

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Step 4:
Faucet on ‘Professional Default’
Guarantee there is a checkmark subsequent to “ProRAW Max (Up to 48MP)” in addition to JPEG-XL Lossy (the latter is just out there for the iPhone 16 Professional and iPhone 16 Professional Max).

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Step 5:
Return to ‘Digicam’ menu and faucet on ‘Protect Settings’
Make certain the next are toggled on: Digicam Mode, Artistic Controls, Macro Management, Publicity Adjustment, Evening Mode, Portrait Zoom, ProRaw & Decision Management, Dwell Picture. Just like the menu title suggests, this ensures that your present settings are preserved each time you open the Digicam app.

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Step 6:
Return to ‘Digicam’ menu
Allow ‘Grid’ and ensure ‘Stage’ is toggled on. In keeping with Maldonado, these settings assist him line up his pictures. Plus, be certain that ‘Portraits in Picture Mode,’ ‘Prioritize Quicker Taking pictures,’ ‘Lens Correction,’ and ‘Macro Management’ are enabled.

Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
And that is it so far as the Settings app is worried.
When you’re truly in the Digicam app, Maldonado means that customers toggle “Raw MAX” on.

Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Plus, whereas capturing, be sure you’re hitting “1x” (the primary sensor referred to as the huge digital camera) to get the best-quality images.
Now, go on the market along with your newly tweaked iPhone and tell us within the feedback if you happen to discover a distinction.