Camera glass cracked

Recently, the protective glass cover on my FP3 camera (48 MP model) got a crack that unfortunately produces reflections in the images. Otherwise, the camera is working fine.

Does anyone have experience with exchanging the glass? Where would I find a spare part? Or do I have to replace the entire camera module?

Appreciate your feedback.

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I think the most realistic approach would be to find a cheap or free other FP3 camera module (more likely 12 MP) and figure out if you can “transplant” the internals into the housing of the other module. It’s not exactly instructions, but iFixit’s teardown and especially the high-resolution photo versions (see the :information_source: symbol in the photos’ top right corners, then choose “Original”) from Steps 8 and 11 might provide some insight into how this might work:

Just to make sure, I have no idea if the 48 MP camera works in the 12 MP module housing. But if you find a way to open the module without damaging it, you might be able to reverse the procedure.

P.S.: Beware this list might be outdated, but anyway, have a look: ✏ List of people selling or giving away their FP3(+) camera modules

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Just a quick follow-up: I have managed to purchase a used 12MP camera with intact glass cover. Putting the camera into the new housing was a matter of minutes. Obviously, the camera has been designed with repairability in mind. Just unscrew the old sensor, and put it into the new housing. Easy!

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Congratulations! :+1: So I take it the phone recognizes the Camera+ in the 12 MP camera housing? :slight_smile:

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It does indeed, as the connector goes straight to the sensor part of the camera module. So the main board shouldn’t notice a difference. It looks like the housings are identical. My first tests with the camera went fine.

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Marking @JohnfromY who might be interested in such a fix/transplant as well.

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I’ve tried that, but FP3+ camera internals are slightly bigger than FP3 and don’t fit in the 12 mpx camera.

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Thanks for your feedback. I’ve moved your post from @Milla’s search topic here, perhaps @kontrafuss still remembers if there was a trick involved or something.

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That is weird. I was probably lucky then to have two parts with an exact fit. Can you post a photo? I still have the old camera at home, maybe a comparison will tell us something?

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Sorry for late reply I was on holidays and not able to disasemble the phone.

Here it is a picture side by side for the 12 mpx left and 48 mpx right.

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I, too, apologize for the late reply. I completely forgot about this issue. :innocent:

Unfortunately, I cannot offer any real advice. I did the exchange and the two camera housings were a perfect match. It is obvious from your photo that yours aren’t. Have you made any progress?

Hello eyeryone,

I dropped my FP3+ and broke the glass on the rear camera. The camera still works, but I have dust and the famous spider effect in every picture.

Since getting camera modules is close to impossible now, I would like to try and repair it on my own.
Unluckily, I can’t find any original camera glass covers on the shop aswell, so I am thinking of replacing the broken glass by trying to glue a camera glass cover normally used to protect the original glass onto the camera.

Has anyone ever tried this? Do you think it might work? Do you see other options I haven’t thought of?

Thanks for your help.

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I’ve never thought about this but I guess it could work, however it’d also depend of how dusty and/or damaged your camera lens is now…

In case It doesn’t work, I’d suggest you to contact the support to try to ask their repair center for an old camera module shell or glass.

Moved your post please see above