How Big Can You Print iPhone Photos? The Australian Size Guide
Your iPhone photos deserve more than just your camera roll. Here's exactly how large you can print them and how to get stunning results every time.
You've captured an incredible sunset at Bondi, a candid moment at your kid's birthday party, or that perfect shot from your road trip along the Great Ocean Road. Now you want it on your wall. But here's the question everyone asks: how big can I actually print my iPhone photo without it looking blurry?
The answer might surprise you. Modern iPhones capture enough detail to print much larger than most people realise. That photo sitting in your camera roll right now? It could become a stunning A1 poster for your living room.
In this guide, we'll show you exactly how big you can print based on your iPhone model, how to check if your photo is good enough, and how to avoid the common mistakes that ruin otherwise great prints.
Quick answer: iPhone photo print sizes at a glance
Here's what you need to know upfront — the maximum recommended print size for each iPhone model at excellent quality (300 DPI) and good quality (200 DPI).
iPhone 15 Pro Max / 15 Pro (48 MP) Excellent quality: A2 (42 × 59 cm) — Good quality: A1 (59 × 84 cm)
iPhone 15 / 15 Plus (48 MP) Excellent quality: A2 (42 × 59 cm) — Good quality: A1 (59 × 84 cm)
iPhone 14 Pro Max / 14 Pro (48 MP) Excellent quality: A2 (42 × 59 cm) — Good quality: A1 (59 × 84 cm)
iPhone 14 / 14 Plus (12 MP) Excellent quality: A3 (30 × 42 cm) — Good quality: A2 (42 × 59 cm)
iPhone 13 (all models) (12 MP) Excellent quality: A3 (30 × 42 cm) — Good quality: A2 (42 × 59 cm)
iPhone 12 (all models) (12 MP) Excellent quality: A3 (30 × 42 cm) — Good quality: A2 (42 × 59 cm)
iPhone 11 (all models) (12 MP) Excellent quality: A3 (30 × 42 cm) — Good quality: A2 (42 × 59 cm)
iPhone X / XS / XR (12 MP) Excellent quality: A3 (30 × 42 cm) — Good quality: A2 (42 × 59 cm)
iPhone 8 / 8 Plus (12 MP) Excellent quality: A3 (30 × 42 cm) — Good quality: A2 (42 × 59 cm)
iPhone 7 / 7 Plus (12 MP) Excellent quality: A3 (30 × 42 cm) — Good quality: A2 (42 × 59 cm)
iPhone 6s / 6s Plus (12 MP) Excellent quality: A3 (30 × 42 cm) — Good quality: A2 (42 × 59 cm)
iPhone 6 and earlier (8 MP) Excellent quality: A4 (21 × 30 cm) — Good quality: A3 (30 × 42 cm)
The key insight: If you have an iPhone 6s or newer, you can confidently print your photos at A3 size or larger. With the iPhone 14 Pro and newer 48MP cameras, you can go even bigger.
Understanding print quality: What does DPI actually mean?
Before we dive deeper, let's clear up the most confusing part of photo printing: DPI (dots per inch).
DPI measures how many tiny dots of ink fit into one inch of your print. More dots = more detail = sharper image. Here's what the numbers mean in practice:
300 DPI — Excellent quality. Perfect for photos you'll view up close, like framed prints on a desk or bedside table.
200 DPI — Good quality. Ideal for wall art viewed from a normal distance (1-2 metres away).
150 DPI — Acceptable quality. Works well for large posters viewed from across the room.
Below 100 DPI — You'll likely notice pixelation or softness, especially in detailed areas.
Here's the thing most people don't realise: viewing distance matters enormously. A poster on your wall doesn't need the same pixel density as a photo you hold in your hands. That A1 print above your couch? It looks fantastic at 150-200 DPI because you're viewing it from 2+ metres away.
How to check your photo's resolution on iPhone
Before ordering a print, you should check your photo's actual resolution. Here's how:
Method 1: Check in the Photos App (iOS 15 and later)
Open the Photos app
Select your photo
Swipe up or tap the ⓘ info button
Look for the image dimensions (e.g., "4032 × 3024")
Method 2: Check in the Files App
Save your photo to the Files app
Long-press the image and select Get Info
View the dimensions under "Information"
What Do These Numbers Mean?
When you see dimensions like 4032 × 3024, that's the number of pixels (tiny dots of colour) in your image. To calculate your maximum print size at a specific DPI:
Formula: Pixel dimension ÷ DPI = Maximum inches
For example, with a 4032 × 3024 photo:
At 300 DPI: 4032 ÷ 300 = 13.4 inches (34 cm) on the long edge
At 200 DPI: 4032 ÷ 200 = 20.2 inches (51 cm) on the long edge
At 150 DPI: 4032 ÷ 150 = 26.9 inches (68 cm) on the long edge
Don't want to do the maths? Our print preview shows you exactly what quality to expect before you order.
The 5 mistakes that ruin iPhone photo prints
You could have the perfect shot with plenty of resolution, but these common mistakes can still wreck your print:
1. Sending Photos Through WhatsApp or Messenger
This is the biggest one. When you share a photo via WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Instagram DMs, these apps heavily compress your image to save data. A 12-megapixel photo can be crushed down to 1 or 2 megapixels.
The fix: Always transfer photos using AirDrop, iCloud, email (as original), or a cable connection. Never use messaging apps if you plan to print.
2. Using Screenshots Instead of Original Photos
Screenshots are captured at screen resolution, not camera resolution. A screenshot of a photo is typically only 2-3 megapixels—nowhere near the 12-48 megapixels of the original.
The fix: Always use the original photo from your camera roll, not a screenshot.
3. Heavy Cropping
Every time you crop a photo, you're throwing away pixels. Crop a photo in half, and you've lost half your resolution. A 12MP photo cropped to show just a face might only have 2-3MP left.
The fix: If you need to crop heavily, accept that your maximum print size will be smaller. Or better yet, get closer when you take the shot.
4. Zooming Instead of Moving Closer
Using digital zoom on your iPhone (pinching to zoom before taking a shot) doesn't add detail—it just crops the image and scales it up. This results in lower-resolution photos.
The fix: Whenever possible, physically move closer to your subject instead of zooming. Use optical zoom only if your iPhone has a telephoto lens (iPhone 7 Plus and later Pro models).
5. Not Checking the Original File
Sometimes the photo you think you're printing isn't what you think it is. Maybe you accidentally grabbed an edited version, a screenshot, or a low-res export.
The fix: Before uploading, check the file size. An original iPhone photo should be at least 2-4MB. If it's under 500KB, something's been compressed.
Best print sizes for different spaces in your home
Not sure what size to choose? Here's a practical guide based on where you want to display your print:
Living Room (Above a Sofa or TV)
Recommended size: A1 or A2
For wall art above furniture, you want something substantial. The general rule is your artwork should be about two-thirds the width of the furniture below it. For a standard 3-seater sofa (around 200cm wide), an A1 print (84 × 59 cm) or a pair of A2 prints works beautifully.
Bedroom (Above the Bed)
Recommended size: A2 or A1
A single A1 print or a triptych of A3 prints creates a gorgeous focal point above a bed. Choose calming imagery—landscapes, abstract art, or meaningful travel photos work well here.
Hallway or Entryway
Recommended size: A3 or A4
Hallways are typically viewed while walking past, so you don't need oversized prints. A gallery wall of A4 and A3 prints creates visual interest without overwhelming the space.
Home Office
Recommended size: A4 or A3
Smaller prints work well in offices where you're seated close to the wall. A favourite landscape or inspirational image at A3 size is perfect above a desk.
Kids' Rooms
Recommended size: A3 or A2
Family photos, holiday memories, or their own artwork printed at A3 or A2 creates personalised decor they'll love.
iPhone camera settings for better prints
Want to maximise your print quality? Adjust these settings before you shoot:
Enable ProRAW (iPhone 12 Pro and later)
If you have a Pro model iPhone, you can shoot in Apple ProRAW format:
Go to Settings > Camera > Formats
Enable Apple ProRAW
Choose the maximum resolution (48MP on iPhone 14 Pro and later)
ProRAW files are much larger (up to 75MB each) but contain far more detail for printing and editing.
Use the Main Camera, Not Ultra-Wide or Selfie
The main camera on your iPhone has the largest sensor and captures the most detail. Ultra-wide and front-facing cameras have smaller sensors and lower quality—fine for social media, but not ideal for large prints.
Shoot in Good Light
No amount of megapixels can save a poorly lit photo. Natural daylight produces the best results. For indoor shots, position your subject near a window.
Keep Your Lens Clean
A smudged lens creates hazy photos that won't print well. Wipe your lens with a soft cloth before important shots.
Glossy, Matte, or Lustre: Which Paper for Your iPhone Print?
The paper you choose affects how your print looks and feels. Here's a quick guide:
Glossy Paper
Best for: Vibrant colours, high contrast images, photos with lots of detail. Consider for: Travel photos, food photography, product shots. Note: Shows fingerprints and reflections; best under glass or in low-glare environments.
Matte Paper
Best for: Black and white photos, portraits, fine art photography. Consider for: Subtle, moody images; photos displayed without glass. Note: Colours appear slightly softer; no reflections or fingerprints.
Lustre Paper
Best for: The best of both worlds. Consider for: Almost any photo, especially portraits and landscapes. Note: Slight sheen without harsh reflections; hides fingerprints; rich colours.
For most iPhone photos, we recommend lustre paper. It brings out the vibrant colours of iPhone cameras while being practical for framing and handling.
For a deeper dive into paper choices, check out our guide: Glossy vs Matte vs Lustre: Which Photo Paper Should You Choose?
Can you print iPhone photos even bigger?
What if you want to go beyond A1? Maybe you're dreaming of a massive statement piece in your living room or a feature wall in your business.
The short answer: yes, you can print larger, but with some caveats.
For prints larger than A1 (such as A0 at 118 × 84 cm), you'll likely need a photo from a 48MP iPhone (14 Pro, 15 Pro, or later) shot at maximum resolution, an image with minimal cropping, and viewing distance of 2+ metres (larger prints are always viewed from further away).
Even with a standard 12MP iPhone photo, you can print at A0 size if the viewing distance is right. A print viewed from across a room doesn't need the same sharpness as one viewed up close. This is why massive billboards look fine from the road despite being very low resolution.
Frequently asked questions
Are iPhone photos good enough quality to print?
Absolutely. Modern iPhones (6s and newer) capture 12-48 megapixels—more than enough for prints up to A1 size and beyond. The quality rivals entry-level DSLRs and is perfectly suitable for wall art.
What size can I print a 12 megapixel iPhone photo?
A 12MP photo (from iPhone 6s through iPhone 14 standard models) can be printed at A3 size (30 × 42 cm) at excellent 300 DPI quality, or A2 size (42 × 59 cm) at good 200 DPI quality. For wall art viewed from a normal distance, A2 looks fantastic.
Can I print a photo from my iPhone at A1 size?
Yes, especially with newer iPhones. 12MP photos print well at A1 when viewed from typical wall-art distances. 48MP photos (iPhone 14 Pro and later) look excellent at A1 size.
How do I transfer photos from my iPhone without losing quality?
Use AirDrop to a Mac, iCloud Photo Library, email (select "Actual Size"), or a direct cable transfer. Avoid WhatsApp, Messenger, and other messaging apps—they compress images significantly.
Should I edit my iPhone photos before printing?
Light editing can enhance your prints—adjusting brightness, contrast, or cropping to improve composition. Just avoid over-editing, heavy filters, or aggressive sharpening, which can look unnatural when printed.
Why does my photo look different printed vs on screen?
Screens emit light while prints reflect it, so colours appear differently. Additionally, screens are often set brighter than real-world lighting conditions. A slight difference is normal. For accurate colours, ensure your print provider uses colour-calibrated printers and quality papers.
Ready to print your iPhone photos?
Your photos are more than just files on your phone. They're memories of places you've been, people you love, and moments you never want to forget.
Printing them brings those memories into your daily life. Every time you walk past that travel photo in your hallway or glance at that family portrait above your desk, you'll relive the moment.
At Aussie Prints, we make it simple:
Upload your photo — Our system automatically checks the resolution and recommends the best print sizes
Choose your size and paper — From A4 desk prints to A0 statement pieces
Receive your print — Delivered flat, never rolled, to ensure it arrives in perfect condition
All our prints are produced in Australia using museum-quality archival papers and pigment inks that won't fade for generations.
Have questions about printing your iPhone photos? We're here to help. Drop us an email and we'll make sure your print turns out exactly as you imagined.