How to unlock the hidden and most powerful camera on iPhone 15?

The rear camera on the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max features a 48MP sensor, but its default settings limit it to 24MP.

However, you can adjust the settings to take photos at 48MP, offering greater detail and sharpness.

Differences between the models include the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max's ability to shoot photos in ProRAW, offering greater control and editing capabilities. The remaining models can shoot 48MP photos in HEIF or JPEG format.

Using a 48MP sensor offers greater detail, but can require additional storage space and processing time. This can also limit the dynamic range of your photos without pixel binning. When choosing the highest resolution, you need to consider the additional storage space required and the extended processing time for your photos.

How to change iPhone 15 camera settings

Read more: iOS 17.1: Solves the “Burn-in” problem on the iPhone 15 Pro Max

To change the photo settings on your iPhone 15 and choose your preferred image format, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings in iOS.
2. Scroll down and tap “Camera”
3. In the “Pro Default” option, you’ll be able to choose between “High Efficiency (HEIF)” and “Most Compatible (JPEG).” HEIF tends to produce smaller file sizes, while JPEG is compatible with a wider range of software
4. To enable 48MP mode, go back to the “Camera” screen and enable “Resolution Control” (on iPhone 15 and 15 Plus) or “ProRAW & Resolution Control” (on iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max)
5. On iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, you can also tap and hold the icon to switch between HEIF/JPEG and ProRAW

Once you've selected your desired settings, the Camera app on your iPhone will give you the option to 48MP when taking photos. In some cases, like when taking Live Photos or taking macro shots, this option won't be visible by default. To keep the 48MP option, you'll need to re-enable it periodically.

Source: popsci.com