I was under the impression that I had the most optimal camera settings for my iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple’s most recent flagship smartphone. However, a field shoot with Mashable’s expert photographer, Joe Maldonado, using his finely-tuned iPhone 14 Pro, quickly changed my mindset. Despite both of us capturing identical scenes with what I believed was the superior device, Maldonado’s images were noticeably more clear, sharp, and colorful.

Initially, I assumed the issue was a dirty lens, but a thorough cleaning with a microfiber cloth didn’t improve my photo quality. Maldonado’s images remained strikingly better than mine. This prompted me to ask, “Why are your iPhone 14 Pro photos superior to those from my iPhone 16 Pro Max?”

Maldonado’s response was simple, “It’s all about the settings.”

Expert-Recommended iPhone Camera Settings

Looking to capture top-tier photos with your iPhone? Follow the steps below, courtesy of Maldonado.

You’ll need an iPhone, preferably a recent Pro model. The first step is to navigate to ‘Settings’. Next, tap on ‘Camera’. In the ‘Formats’ section, ensure that “High Efficiency” under Camera Capture and “24 MP” under Photo Mode are selected. Also, toggle on “ProRAW & Resolution Control”.

For the ‘Pro Default’ setting, make sure there’s a checkmark next to “ProRAW Max (Up to 48MP)” and JPEG-XL Lossy (available only for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max).

Next, return to the ‘Camera’ menu and select ‘Preserve Settings’. Activate the following options: Camera Mode, Creative Controls, Macro Control, Exposure Adjustment, Night Mode, Portrait Zoom, ProRaw & Resolution Control, and Live Photo. This will save your settings for future use of the Camera app.

Last but not least, enable the ‘Grid’ and ‘Level’ settings to help align your shots. Additionally, enable ‘Portraits in Photo Mode,’ ‘Prioritize Faster Shooting,’ ‘Lens Correction,’ and ‘Macro Control’.

Once your settings are optimized, you can focus on taking photos. While in the Camera app, Maldonado suggests toggling “Raw MAX” on. Also, aim for “1x” (the main sensor known as the wide camera) to capture the highest quality photos.

Now that your iPhone is set with the best camera settings, go out and start capturing stunning images. Let us know in the comments if you notice a difference in your photos.