While the iPhone 13 series looks almost identical to the 2020 iPhones, it actually comes with several hardware upgrades. In the camera department, Apple introduced a native macro photography feature on the iPhone 13 Pro models. There is one caveat, though. Early reviews revealed that there is no way to disable it manually.
The iPhone 13 Pro models launched with a new ultra-wide camera with a bigger f/1.8 aperture. It is also the component that makes the new native macro photography possible. “Users can capture sharp, stunning images where objects appear larger than life, magnifying subjects with a minimum focus distance of 2 centimeters,” Apple said in a press release.
Since macro photography is a native camera function, it is currently integrated with the Photo mode. It means when the iPhone 13 Pro detects a subject within 2 cm, it automatically switches to macro shots. However, some videos show this does not seem to be working accurately all the time.
One of the first reviewers to raise this issue was YouTuber Marques Brownlee, also known as MKBHD. In a new tweet this week, Brownlee noted that the iPhone 13 Pro’s macro photography produces good photos. But the lack of an option to disable it manually is a slight letdown.
As I mentioned in my video, the iPhones’ macro mode is great, but you can’t manually switch out.
— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) September 21, 2021
Apple’s told me "A new setting will be added in a software update this fall to turn off automatic camera switching when shooting at close distances for macro photography and video” pic.twitter.com/n94WA5gdaj
Now, Apple confirmed that this would be addressed soon. “A new setting will be added in a software update this fall to turn off automatic camera switching when shooting at close distances for macro photography and video,” the iPhone maker told the YouTube personality.
Despite this issue, the addition of macro photography in the iPhone 13 is still one of the notable upgrades from Apple this year. The devices can also capture macro videos, while the same tech can also be used in Slo-mo and Time-lapse modes.
The new ultra-wide camera also has a new autofocus system that Apple claims will improve images in low light by 92%. Both the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max also feature a new telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. These phones, along with iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini, are not available through Apple.com.


Xiaomi Shares Drop After Weak Q1 Earnings Amid Rising Smartphone Costs
Samsung Workers Approve Wage Deal, Avoiding Major Strike and Boosting Chip Supply Confidence
Autodesk Beats Q1 Estimates, Acquires MaintainX for $3.6 Billion
Synopsys Q2 FY2026 Earnings Beat Driven by AI and Semiconductor Demand
Elon Musk Explores Possible Tesla-SpaceX Merger Amid Growing AI Investments
Morgan Stanley Names Top AI Security and Data Center Stocks for 2026
Macquarie Names Five Taiwan AI Stocks Set to Benefit From Data Center Growth in 2026
Mega IPOs Like SpaceX and OpenAI Could Reshape S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 Portfolios in 2026
Meta Subscription Push Could Add Billions in Recurring Revenue, Says Rosenblatt
SpaceX IPO Hype Raises Questions as Many Major Stock Debuts Underperform Market
SpaceX Delays Starship V3 Launch Ahead of Potential Record IPO
Marvell Stock Rises After Record Q1 FY2027 Earnings Fueled by AI Demand
EU Antitrust Probe Could Lead to Massive Google Fine Under DMA Rules
SoftBank to Invest €75 Billion in France AI Data Center Expansion by 2031
Dell Raises 2027 Revenue Forecast as AI Server Demand Drives Record Quarterly Results
Salesforce Q1 FY2027 Earnings Beat Expectations Despite Soft Q2 Revenue Outlook
Samsung to Invest $1.5 Billion in Vietnam Semiconductor Testing Plant by 2027 



