Apple

Apple issues support document related to "purple halo" on Apple iPhone 5 pictures

posted by Alan F. / Oct 07, 2012, 9:40 PM

Apple issues support document related to

In late September, word started coming out that some pictures taken with the Apple iPhone 5 were exhibiting a purple tint or halo in the corner. Apple explained the situation by saying that the purple tinting was normal. Users were getting this discoloration when the light source for a given photo was outside the viewfinder. On Sunday, Apple issued a support document related to the purple halo.

The camera on the Apple iPhone 5

According to the Apple document, titled "Camera Image Effects," this problem happens with all small cameras and even with the camera on each and every generation of the Apple iPhone. The document calls the purple coloring on the photos a "spot" or "haze" or "flare" that occurs on the edge of the frame. According to Cupertino, when the light source is out of the viewfinder, it can reflect on the camera sensor causing the purple tint.

Apple suggests that if you move the camera slightly to change the angle at which the light source enters the camera, or shield the camera lens with your hand, it will "minimize or eliminate the effect." Hopefully, either of these suggestions will be able to allow Apple iPhone 5 users to take pictures free of that annoying purple tint, halo, spot or whatever you want to call it.

source: Apple via SlashGear

Apple officially acknowledges the purple tint problem with the camera on the Apple iPhone 5

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Display 4.0" 640 x 1136 pixels

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72 Comments

1. MeoCao unregistered

The best solution to all iPhone 5 problems: return it and buy an Android instead LOL.

posted on Oct 07, 2012, 9:44 PM 72

18. whysoserious

Posts: 318; Member since: Jul 20, 2012

True that. I have filled my Dropbox with 5 GB of pictures and most of it were taken outdoor. Never have I encountered this kind of problem. Sucks for iPhone users.

posted on Oct 07, 2012, 10:51 PM 27

25. androidrockzz

Posts: 51; Member since: Feb 04, 2012

This is what Apple calls best innovation and best design for the people. both their designs and innovation has faults. It is understood phones could have issues, but atleast admit it rather than justifying it...

posted on Oct 07, 2012, 11:48 PM 15

61. PhenomFaz

Posts: 1236; Member since: Sep 26, 2012

Totally agree. All apple seems to do is either claim that we meant for it to be this way or this is normal for any camera! (like its normal for paint to suff off on first day from the black iPhone 5! Yeah right!)

posted on Oct 08, 2012, 5:26 AM 4

44. Droid_X_Doug

Posts: 5993; Member since: Dec 22, 2010

I suspect that when all is said and done on the iP5's lens flare issue, the root cause will be due to the thin-ness of the phone. Photos taken with friend's iP4S models, don't show nearly the amount of lens flare as with the iP5. Ironically, photos taken with a relatively thick case (such as an Otterbox) don't show as much lens flare either. One of the tricks used by professional photographers to reduce lens flare on 'traditional' cameras is to add a lens hood.... Maybe this is an opportunity for some enterprising innovator to develop a case that incorporates a lens hood?

posted on Oct 08, 2012, 1:19 AM 5

64. SuperAndroidEvo

Posts: 4888; Member since: Apr 15, 2011

I saw my boys purple halo & it's actually REALLY nice. I wish my Samsung Galaxy Nexus did that. Man I am going to jump ship & get an iPhone 5 because to me that purple halo is what innovation is really about. Finally Apple is getting back to what made them the BEST in the world! What?!? You are saying that Apple didn't develop that halo? That it's a defect? No you are wrong Apple NEVER makes a mistakes. Apple intended that. It's their differentiator. lol

posted on Oct 08, 2012, 7:39 AM 5

19. Dr.Phil

Posts: 2431; Member since: Feb 14, 2011

I actually overheard this friend of mine talking about his new iPhone 5 to these two women. They started commenting on the phone saying: "Oh so it takes panoramic pictures now? How cool is that!" I interjected and told the woman that Android phones have had a panorama mode for a long time. I believe the reason I found the entire conversation hilarious is because I go on these sites and see the parodies of people thinking the iPhone 5 has all these revolutionary features that have been offered on other Android devices (and Windows Phone devices) for a while now, but now it's more than a parody for me. It's now a reality.

posted on Oct 07, 2012, 10:52 PM 21

21. whysoserious

Posts: 318; Member since: Jul 20, 2012

Lol! Believe me my friend, maybe a year or two from now, you'll be hearing your friends say "Oh so it has this thing called NFC now which can be used to transfer files just by touching phones? How cool is that?!"

posted on Oct 07, 2012, 11:09 PM 20

45. jroc74

Posts: 6023; Member since: Dec 30, 2010

Me n some folks at one forum got into a debate about the panorama feature on the iPhone and Android. Its amazing the reasons one guy came with saying technically it came first to iOS. When I said it came with the stock camera software for the Droid X in 2010.....he concluded phones with manufacture UI's didnt count. I just gave up at that point.

posted on Oct 08, 2012, 1:30 AM 3

55. Stinger2U

Posts: 16; Member since: Feb 17, 2012

Why didn't you tell him that even phones in 2003 had panorama feature.

posted on Oct 08, 2012, 2:49 AM 6

59. jroc74

Posts: 6023; Member since: Dec 30, 2010

lol...I honestly didnt know. I guessed that it might have been available on Win Mo phones too. Its funny tho. Some ppl...many ppl.... actually believe when Apple claims X feature on an iPhone is a first on phones. Retina Display got hyped beyond belief...when screen res was higher on Android and Win Mo phones when the 3GS was the current iPhone. Not much talk about screen res then tho...

posted on Oct 08, 2012, 3:50 AM 2

23. prakesh

Posts: 92; Member since: Sep 13, 2012

haha true i havent experience this with my g.ace, s1 s2 s3 htc explorer htc desire hd though, how they can say its normal?!

posted on Oct 07, 2012, 11:15 PM 12

24. phljcnth

Posts: 556; Member since: Apr 30, 2012

I just hated Barney more.

posted on Oct 07, 2012, 11:34 PM 6

30. KParks23

Posts: 725; Member since: Oct 13, 2010

Hmm.. happens with all small camera but yet this is the first time anyone is hearing about it.. I've personally never experienced this on my windows or android phone

posted on Oct 08, 2012, 12:00 AM 0

33. KParks23

Posts: 725; Member since: Oct 13, 2010

It's only going to be a matter of time before Ray S post another I'm Butt hurt article about how great the iphone is and tells us how it's the greatest phone to ever grace the planet! Haha

posted on Oct 08, 2012, 12:07 AM 3

63. Connie.Linghus

Posts: 32; Member since: Aug 14, 2012

I can't believe that U.S. commerce laws permit this kind of consumer scam. Personally, I have never experienced the "Purple Rain" effect with any smartphone camera; the mere fact that a company would issue such a felonious statement is reprehensible and cause for and iNdictment leading to iMprisonment and, ultimately, an iNjunction banning the future sale of the defective product. Apple should just admit that the iPhone 5 camera is seriously flawed and mass recall all iPhone 5's so that they can replace the camera because, this time, I don't think duct tape will fix it.

posted on Oct 08, 2012, 7:34 AM 1

2. Droidster

Posts: 2; Member since: Aug 13, 2012

What I dont get is why people flock in record numbers to throw their hard earned money at a company that only cares about profit margin, oh yeah and they never take responsibility for their mistakes. In 5 years they admitted once and only because it made the Wall Street Journal. Apple is greed at its best.

posted on Oct 07, 2012, 9:53 PM 37

5. 305Bucko

Posts: 506; Member since: Aug 07, 2011

right because all other companys out there do it to save whales, forests, and cure diseases.

posted on Oct 07, 2012, 9:58 PM 3

9. Pdubb

Posts: 249; Member since: Aug 08, 2011

No, but some do care about the customer and the brand. Apple seems to have a problem these days with the sentiment- that it is not them it is you! I cannot stand the "everyone else is doing it' argument even from my children. Apple is supposed to be the "premium" brand and they should go back to acting like it again!

posted on Oct 07, 2012, 10:09 PM 15

60. SlimSoulja86

Posts: 660; Member since: Nov 03, 2011

The answer is yes, didn't samsung donate money for some forest charity or something? And I'm sure other company do have charities they donate to, to save whales, forests and help cure diseases, while my Apple sit on top on Billion of $$ and not give. I love Apple but, it makes me angry cos it suppose to lead by example and admit to us when it made a mistake, but instead they blame me that i'm using the phone the wrong way. So now I can't take pictures they way I used to, yet it is called the best camera phone (excluding the PureView 808, not including Lumia 920 cos it's not out yet). Next thing they gonn tell me I have to turn upside down to answer my phone. aren't they suppose to make my life a bit easier? instead of me having to come up with solutions to use the iPhone? Just saying. I'm not a blind fan, truth needs to be told, and anyway I do blame myself cos I keep coming back for more Apple pie and making their Pie chat look better and better every year.

posted on Oct 08, 2012, 3:52 AM 1

31. Lucas777

Posts: 2137; Member since: Jan 06, 2011

why do you have a problem if people like their iphone? yes, there is problems, no phone is perfect… but the iphone works better for many people, including me, and I am aware of other products, as you suggest others are not… just cause the iphone does not work for you, does not mean it doesnt work for other people and i couldnt care less what apple does with the profits it makes.. as long as their product works for me I will buy it… its not like they are charging more than the competitors-- often less

posted on Oct 08, 2012, 12:01 AM 1

41. Whateverman

Posts: 3295; Member since: May 17, 2009

"Often less"... Com'on dude, we all know that ain't true. Have you seen how much a Mac cost?

posted on Oct 08, 2012, 1:01 AM 2

69. Lucas777

Posts: 2137; Member since: Jan 06, 2011

ya i own a mac-- an imac.. that has lasted me 4 years now… while my ¾ price pc lasted less than 2 years and i was not talking about anything but the iphone.. check out the verizon portfolio-- the iphone doesnt cost as much and certainly not more than its competitors

posted on Oct 09, 2012, 12:06 AM 0

71. Whateverman

Posts: 3295; Member since: May 17, 2009

Yeah it does dude. The Razr is a great example. It was $111 the day it was released, then up to $299, then back down to $49. And the Razr was released after the 4S. Not to mention, the whole reason other devices were so high is because of iPhone subsidies. After people started going to Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart to buy their phones, VZW wised up and lowered the price of their Android devices. The Razr M is proof of that.

posted on Oct 09, 2012, 3:43 AM 0

46. jroc74

Posts: 6023; Member since: Dec 30, 2010

This is one of those times when I agree and disagree with some of the post. Didnt give a red or green thumb....lol. Agree with the first part of the post, disagree with the not charging more than competitors. Equal spec for spec...a Mac cost more than a PC. The iPad? The iPhone before Android came out? They didnt offer cheaper or free iPhones until Android started eating away at and passing them in market share.

posted on Oct 08, 2012, 1:36 AM 0

70. Lucas777

Posts: 2137; Member since: Jan 06, 2011

the ipad was pretty cheap for the time.. most people expected it to cost more.. yes macs are expensive but they actually are very good quality.. and the iphone is cheaper than many of its android counterparts

posted on Oct 09, 2012, 12:07 AM 0

47. jroc74

Posts: 6023; Member since: Dec 30, 2010

I wanted to say: Did they offer cheaper or free iPhones before Android started eating away at and passing them in market share? I dont really know...but I know they never offered a free one before Android.

posted on Oct 08, 2012, 1:44 AM 0

58. ilia1986 unregistered

Lucas777 - why do you have the urge to defend Apple? Do you want to justify your purchase? Perhaps you yourself are unsure of your iPhone's value, so you try to convince others - and yourself - that you made a worthy decision in buying it? :)

posted on Oct 08, 2012, 3:33 AM 0

68. Lucas777

Posts: 2137; Member since: Jan 06, 2011

uh i actually sold it on craigs, bought a one x, bought a lumia 900, then went back to my 4s from all of them… so after sampling other platforms, i can make my own decisions that i like my iphone thank you very much