iPhone 18 Pro camera drops frames in 1080p video, smooth in 4K

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I actually tested another friend's iPhone 18 Pro, and it experienced the exact same issue. However, as soon as I disabled Auto FPS, the problem was resolved till now.

thank you

”Variable frame rate” and Apple’s “Auto FPS” shouldn’t be treated as interchangeable terms. In this discussion, I’m specifically referring to Auto FPS. Apple documentation states in lower light levels it may drop the frame rate to specifically 24fps.

When shooting 1080p the glitch could have to do with the down sampling and the 1080p video processing pipeline. Apple engineering will need to diagnose the issue and determine if its hardware, firmware or software.

Smooth 4K is a useful clue, but it neither rules out every hardware problem nor proves a 1080p downscaling bug. If the stuttering is present in the original recordings and repeats under matched conditions, I would document it and contact Apple Support rather than simply wait for a possible update. The complaint is reasonable and the cause is still unconfirmed.

If the issue remains reproducible, ask Apple Support to investigate rather than assuming either “all these phones do it” or “my hardware must be defective.” Apple engineering will probably have to be involved. A comparison with another phone of the same model and software version would also be more informative than speculation.

If you’re in the US, please call  1-800-MY-APPLE, or outside the US, consult the support articles below. In Canada, call 1-800-263-3394.

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Hi, do you have any examples of outdoor scenes in good light dropping frames or indoor scenes in very good controlled lighting? I’ve seen this exact thing happen many times when Auto FPS is enabled and Preserve Settings is not enabled properly.

I suspect Auto FPS is enabled and what you’re experiencing is the camera adjusting from 30fps to 24fps in low light. I’d like to see the “frame drop” outdoors before we go looking for other possibilities.

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, I actually managed to capture an outdoor sample where the issue happens. You can check the outdoor footage here: https://youtube.com/shorts/SLpMdc28xDQ?si=KdjfOnfUguzPCu2M

The weird thing is that it's completely random: sometimes I record a scene and it stutters, but if I immediately re-record the exact same shot, it might come out smooth, or the stuttering happens again unpredictably.

(Also, when I transfer the file to my computer to play it, the default video player sometimes struggles or fails to play it smoothly)

I noticed that the Auto FPS setting is currently enabled. I am going to disable Auto FPS , run some new outdoor tests, and I'll report back with the results shortly!

thank you

Please read the thread. The issue has been discussed. Please disable Auto FPS in the Settings app.

Hi, contact Apple Support and open a support ticket. Ask for it to be escalated and it will eventually reach engineering. A senior advisor or engineer may want to contact you for additional information especially if they can’t duplicate the issue.

Secondly report the issue using Apple’s feedback form. Rarely will support contact you after feedback though.

Lastly, you can also use Apple’s Feedback Assistant app, which supports bug reports and attachments such as screenshots and diagnostic logs. It’s particularly useful for beta software and developer related issues. However, it’s relevant to your particular issue. It may be the route to take if support refuses to open a ticket on the issue.

Yes, they replaced the 18 Pro Max with another 18 Pro Max and the issue persists. It jumps and stutters. I have now disabled auto fps but haven't had a chance to test it properly so I'm unsure if this has resolved the issue for me. I've let Apple know (in store and phone support) but frustratingly they said it could take until the next update to sort out.

Yup I was referring to auto fps, and I already contacted apple service and they run a diagnostics but everything seems to be good. So, they told me that it has to be a bug, but the problem is that how could we let apple know about this?I mean recording a video is a super basic stuff, and 1080p 30 with auto fps it’s a the sweet spot, because in low light it actually makes a difference in quality at cost of being 24ish, but the problem is that right now it stutters a lot, definitely not happening on my 16 and 17 pro max.

As far as I know every iPhone 18 pro max that I tested does it, and a pretty amount of people have that problem too.

Do you have the 18 pro line and it happens the same to you!?

And do you have any idea on how to let apple know about this serious issue? I mean for now I just disable auto fps, but that’s not the idea when you buy a new phone, and recording in 4k (that everything works well)takes to much space.

Hello, I'm having this exact same issue. Did you manage to find a resolution? I have just bought the iPhone 18 Pro Max and use the phone for work, to capture slow panning shots of buildings / exteriors and interiors. Unfortunately it's missing frames and stuttering, on random videos but making them unusable and there's no telling when it's going to happen. I've spoken with Apple , done software resets and even had the handset exchanged and replaced but it's still happening. Would really appreciate anything you've tried that has helped!

Did they replace your 18 pro max?and the new one still does the same?mine does the exactly that, it stutters a lot when recording on 1080p with variable fps enabled, but just on 1080p ,on 4k it works perfectly. Have you found a solution (apart from disable variable fps)?

But shouldn’t be the phone working perfectly smooth also in 1080p as it does in 4k?because it does work perfectly smooth in 4k with variable fps enabled. Could this be by any chance a hardware problem,or we just have to wait to apple to notice and fix it?I mean the device itself it’s pretty expensive to just “disabled” something that it’s supposed to work good.

You welcome and let’s hope the Auto FPS is the issue.