I assumed I had the perfect iPhone digicam settings just because I’ve the iCellphone 16 Professional Max — the newest and best smartphone from Apple.
Nonetheless, I used to be humbled shortly once I noticed Mashable’s skilled photographer, Joe Maldonado, taking pictures out within the area with a extremely tuned iPhone 14 Professional. Though we had been taking the identical photographs, and regardless of utilizing the perfect handset out of Cupertino, Maldonado’s photographs 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 fastidiously cleansing the sensors with a microfiber fabric, Maldonado’s photographs had been nonetheless far superior to mine.
Lastly, I requested, “Wait, how does your iPhone 14 Professional take higher footage than my iPhone 16 Professional Max?”
“It is all in regards to the settings,” Maldonado stated.
Mashable Mild Velocity
Greatest iPhone digicam settings, in accordance with an knowledgeable
So how do you get the crème de la crème of photograph high quality out of your iPhone? Comply with these steps — and thank our professional photographer Maldonado later.
- iPhone
- ideally a latest 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 “Excessive Effectivity” underneath Digicam Seize is ticked in addition to “24 MP” underneath Picture Mode. Plus, ensure “ProRAW & Decision Management” is toggled on.

Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Step 4:
Faucet on ‘Professional Default’
Guarantee there is a checkmark subsequent to “ProRAW Max (As much as 48MP)” in addition to JPEG-XL Lossy (the latter is simply accessible for the iPhone 16 Professional and iPhone 16 Professional Max).

Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
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, Reside 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 response to 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.
Whilst you’re really in the Digicam app, Maldonado means that customers toggle “Uncooked MAX” on.

Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Plus, whereas taking pictures, be sure you’re hitting “1x” (the primary sensor often called the broad digicam) to get the best-quality photographs.
Now, go on the market together with your newly tweaked iPhone and tell us within the feedback in case you discover a distinction.