Apple Acknowledges iPhone 5 Camera Problem, Says You’re Holding It Wrong

[Jezter]

After initially denying it, Apple has acknowledged the iPhone 5's purple flare camera problem in an email to a Gizmodo reader. Their solution: "Angle the camera away from the bright light source when taking pictures."

Here's their complete answer:

Dear Matt,

Our engineering team just gave me this information and we recommend that you angle the camera away from the bright light source when taking pictures. The purple flare in the image provided is considered normal behavior for iPhone 5's camera. If you wish to reach me regarding this case number *********, please contact me at 1-877-***-**** ext. *******. I currently work Thursday-Monday: 7:00am - 3:30pm Mountain Time. If you reach my voicemail, please leave your name, phone number, case number and the best time to reach you. Email is ***********@apple.com.

Sincerely,
Debby
AppleCare Support

Long time Gizmodo reader Matt Van Gastel received this email after a long call with Apple support regarding the Purple Flare problem in his phone, which apparently is a feature common to every iPhone 5:

Initially I was told that it shouldn't happen and that it is strange. My call was escalated to a senior support individual who again said it was odd and shouldn't happen. I sent her some pics of the issue and she in turn sent them to the engineering team.

Her final response is what you can see at the top of this article. Some photography experts have speculated that the purple flare is a product of the sapphire glass covering the iPhone 5's camera.

So it is final, folks: Apple says that, if your photos have a purple flare, this is totally normal behavior of the iPhone 5's camera. You are just holding it wrong.

Also, it's not Apple's fault that the Sun is purple. [Thanks Matt!]

[PorkChopSandwiches]

[redred]

is there anything they didn't fuck up

[PorkChopSandwiches]

They just had to release an update last night because even when you were on WiFi it was still using your data plan

[Muddy]

Boy this things been a mess..

[redred]

when you getting your phone muddy

[Muddy]

As soon as my work buys me one...

[Acid Trip]

You're holding the camera wrong (bad pictures). You're holding the phone wrong (signal drop).

Ahhh, I get it now. Anyone who owns an iPhone is doing it wrong!

[Muddy]

It's hard to hold them with our hooves and all...

[Godfather]

Wow that's pretty terrible. Stupid question from someone who knows nothing about cameras: Is this a software or a hardware problem?

[samarchepas]

Wow that's pretty terrible. Stupid question from someone who knows nothing about cameras: Is this a software or a hardware problem?

I'm assuming it's hardware related, if not then it would not only affect the Iphone 5 so IOS 6 should not be the problem (For example: Apple Maps sucks on all devices )

[Loser]

Wow that's pretty terrible. Stupid question from someone who knows nothing about cameras: Is this a software or a hardware problem?

Honestly could be either, or both.

[Godfather]

I'm assuming it's hardware related, if not then it would not only affect the Iphone 5 so IOS 6 should not be the problem (For example: Apple Maps sucks on all devices )

The 4/4s cameras are different from the 5, would there not be unique software separate from the OS that could be the issue instead of hardware?

Doesn't really matter, was just wondering if it was something they could fuggin' fix instead of saying 'hold it different'

[RBP]

The 4/4s cameras are different from the 5, would there not be unique software separate from the OS that could be the issue instead of hardware?

Doesn't really matter, was just wondering if it was something they could fuggin' fix instead of saying 'hold it different'

Potato.

[Godfather]

Exactly