Apple Recognizes Uncommon Issue in Latest iPhone Cameras, Commits to Resolution


The upcoming iPhones are scheduled to debut on Friday, but some early reviewers have begun their assessments. CNN Underscored has discovered a “rare” glitch in the camera. (Mashable’s reviews are still in progress and will be released shortly.) In a critique of the ultra-slim iPhone Air, CNN Underscored observed glitches occurring while capturing images at a concert using both the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro Max cameras.

“I also encountered a peculiar imaging issue at this concert, where roughly one in every 10 photos taken on the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro Max exhibited small blacked-out sections, including squares and segments of white squiggles from the large LED screen behind the band,” the review indicates. Images from the review reveal black boxes appearing in several concert photos.

Apple has acknowledged the camera issue in a statement to CNN Underscored, explaining that it can happen in rare situations “when an LED light display is exceptionally bright and directed straight at the camera.” Apple also notified CNN Underscored that this problem will be addressed in an upcoming software update.

Apple did not specify a timeline for the anticipated software update, so if you intend to order the new iPhones, exercise caution when photographing around large LED screens and lighting. This is generally wise advice for any smartphone, as LED lights and lasers frequently don’t interact favorably with camera sensors.

In spite of this minor camera glitch, the majority of early reviews for the iPhone have lauded the new 17 series devices for their cameras, particularly highlighting the new Center Stage selfie camera.