Apple’s iPhone 5 has a lens problem, a garish purple flare that has been nicknamed iPurple. However, it could be more common than originally thought, as it could potentially appear on all Apple’s latest technology due to, as Apple put it, ”smaller camera sizes”.

When criticized  Apple pointed the finger of blame straight back at iPhone 5 users, saying that the ”fault” was related to the camera’s position, blah, blah, blah.

All cameras produce some lens flare when held at a certain angle to the sun – even top DSLRs, however, sometimes we want a picture with the sun in the corner. If a picture like this is taken on the iPhone 5, the sun turns into a distorted purple mass, with some ghosting and a beam of purple.

iPhone 5 and 4S have almost ”identical” cameras, however, the iPhone 5 is thinner, and therefore the camera must be thinner. The camera is around 25% smaller, has a so-called ”better” lowlight mode and a sapphire crystal lens.

Blame has been pointed at the lens – it certainly sounds like the sort of thing that would cause a purple haze lens problem!

Smaller cameras are generally bad news, hence the iPurple effect. This purple haze was not found on the iPhone 4S, however other smartphones have been reported to have a similar problem (though iPhone 5 has raised the greatest discussion, as it is ”the hottest phone on the market”).

Ranging from Apple maps problem to iPurple effect, the iPhone 5 is not perfect. If you are going to buy it, and have a great interest in the camera, it may be worth waiting till the firmware update that will (hopefully) sought the issues.