iPhone 13 Pro's macro camera is so good it's creepy — here's the proof

iphone 13 pro back showing camera array
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

We already knew that the newly introduced iPhone 13 Pro models had superb camera capabilities. But one U.S. ophthalmologist has put the his iPhone 13 Pro Max camera to medicinal use in order monitor eyes of a patient who's recently had a cornea transplant procedure. 

In a recent LinkedIn post, Dr Tommy Korn described how he used the Macro mode in order to capture close-up and detailed photos of a cornea transplant patient so as to monitor the healing process. 

Korn said he was "impressed" by the quality of the shots and claimed that such technology "will innovate patient eye care and telemedicine." As seen below, the ophthalmologist managed to take extremely detailed photographs two days apart to observe whether the post-procedure abrasion had been being healing properly. 

Close-up Macro shots taken on an iPhone 13 Pro Max

(Image credit: Tommy Korn (via LinkedIn))

In a separate LinkedIn post from two weeks ago, Korn outlined key reasons why Macro smartphone photography through devices such as the iPhone 13 Pro can help innovate eye care. 

The doctor explained that with the help of such advanced camera systems, patients can remotely send high-quality photo reports of the healing process that can help the ophthalmologists determine whether there's a need for further treatment more accurately. According to Korn, macro eye shots can also help better identify if the patient's condition requires an emergency treatment. 

"For emergency/urgent care doctors, macro eye photography can improve peer to peer physician 'curbside' consults when emergency/urgent care physicians communicate with ophthalmologists about patients with emergency eye conditions," he added. 

Professor of Ohthalmology and Plastic Surgery at University of California Bobby Korn was also impressed by Korn's shots and said that "this could be used for oculoplastic lesions as well." Both professionals had agreed that such smartphone camera lenses can even rival that of the DSLR. 

Whether the iPhone 13 Pro models will be used more widely among medical professionals is unclear, but we know for a fact that the camera set of the iPhone 13 Pro certainly deserves the praise. As we highlighted in our iPhone 13 Pro vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max face-off, both models share the same camera system, with the only major differences being the battery and display sizes. 

In our iPhone 13 Pro Max review, our global editor Mark Spoonauer said that "it’s the iPhone 13 Pro Max's cameras that put this phone over the top, as they're the best I've tested on a phone so far." That's thanks to the new sensors that let in more light, delivering brighter images, a more powerful 3x optical/15x digital zoom and, of course, the new macro mode. 

TOPICS
Denise Primbet
News Writer

Denise is a Life Reporter at Newsweek, covering everything lifestyle-related, including health, relationships, personal finance, beauty and more. She was formerly a news writer at Tom’s Guide, regularly producing stories on all things tech, gaming software/hardware, fitness, streaming, and more. Her published content ranges from short-form news articles to long-form pieces, including reviews, buying guides, how-tos, and features. When she's not playing horror games, she can be found exploring East London with her adorable puppy. She’s also a part-time piano enthusiast and regularly experiments in the kitchen. 

Read more
OnePlus 13 cameras
I used the OnePlus 13 to capture professional headshots — and I'm surprised by the results
OnePlus 13 vs iPhone 16 Pro Max.
I shot over 200 photos with the OnePlus 13 vs iPhone 16 Pro Max — here’s the winner
Galaxy S25 Ultra next to macro shot of flower
I test camera phones for a living — here's 3 tips for taking great macro shots
A render of the iPhone 17 Pro Max
iPhone 17 Pro Max just tipped for major camera upgrades — here's what we know
The iPhone 16 Pro Max (L) and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra rear cameras
I took 200 macro photos with Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro — here's the winner
OnePlus 13 Astrophotography.
I tried astrophotography on my OnePlus 13 to shoot nebulas, star clusters, and planets — these were my best captures
Latest in iPhones
iPhone Flip Concept
iPhone Flip should have been released years ago — it's time Apple started taking risks again
iPhone 17 Air render
iPhone 17 Air — new survey could be bad news for Apple's super thin iPhone
Render of the alleged design of the iPhone 17 Pro
New iPhone 17 Pro dummy leak highlights redesigned camera and part glass body
Siri in iOS 18 on iPhone
Users complain that Siri can’t answer even the most basic questions — here’s what we know
iPhone 16 next to samsung galaxy watch 7 and bose wireless earbuds on a composite image
Apple's walled garden is crumbling — EU orders iOS to open up to third-party devices
Apple iPhone 16 & 16 Plus hands-on.
Forget USB-C — a truly portless iPhone just got the all-clear from the EU
Latest in News
Rendered images of rumored foldable iPhone.
Foldable iPhone report just revealed key details — here's what we know
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Saturday, March 23 (#651)
NYT Strands on a cellphone
NYT Strands today — hints, spangram and answers for game #385 (Sunday, March 23 2025)
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 rumored specs — here’s what we know so far
iPhone 17 Pro render
iPhone 17 Pro — 7 biggest rumored upgrades
CAD renderings of the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL
Pixel 10 leak could be good news for all Android phones
  • cirdecus
    My only reservation on this, is AI. AI may modify the original image to make it look better. I would think doctors want an "undoctored" image (no pun intended). May be dangerous
    Reply
  • mark_887797
    I guess this eye doctor is either too unsuccessful or too poor to use what other eye doctor's use: DLSR cameras/
    Reply