FP6 camera partially blurry

[Haemmi]

Hello.
My FP6 camera (e/os - FP camera app) has been taking blurry pictures for a few days now. A small part at the top or on the left side is sharp, but the rest is blurry. This affects the main camera; the wide-angle camera takes sharp photos.
I have already removed and cleaned the camera, but this has not changed anything.
Does anyone have any idea what the problem could be and how I can fix it?
Any advice is welcome before I have to buy a new camera.
Best regards,
Christian

[Sayoke]

Hi Christian and hi everyone

I encounter the same problem. The pictures are partially blurry since I have taken pictures a few days ago in cold air (below zero, the temperature might be a coincidence, though). Has anyone an idea how to solve this issue? I already tried a restart of the phone and a reset of the camera app… Best, Sayoke

[Meaghan]

Hello @Haemmi @Sayoke
Assuming you’re using FPOS, what will happen if you run the camera test via MyFairphone App?

[Sayoke]

Hi Meaghan

Where can I find this camera test in the My Fairphone App? Thanks.

[Meaghan]

Here it goes

[Sayoke]

Thank you Meaghan! I did not know about this test option. I tried it out now. In the test the camera shows the same patchy blurriness as before. The test failed and now I am asked to fill out a long form with information on provider, SIM card, etc. Probably a warranty issue.

[Haemmi]

Hello Sayoke,
That’s interesting. My problems also started after an evening in the cold and taking photos at below zero degrees.
I’ve ordered a new camera and will get back to you once I’ve installed it.

Übersetzt mit DeepL (https://dee.pl/apps)

[Haemmi]

The new camera has arrived and been installed. It works perfectly. When comparing the cameras, no differences are visible to the naked eye.
Unfortunately, it’s a somewhat expensive solution to a problem that shouldn’t exist.

Übersetzt mit DeepL (https://dee.pl/apps)

[yvmuell]

@Haemmi

to a problem that shouldn’t exist.

In my eyes spending

@Haemmi

an evening in the cold and taking photos

and then bringing the device back into a warm place (without putting it into a plastic bag) can exactly cause such issues with any camera…

[olivier_brochet]

J’ai exactement le même problème j’ai fait le test rien n’y fait impossible de joindre depuis plusieurs mois le support on ne me répond pas c’est un peu compliqué je pars en voyage dans quelques jours et j’ai les boules Olivier fp6

[Kalibri]

I had a similar problem. The camera wouldn’t focus anymore on things further than about one meter away. Disassembling the device, popping the same camera module out and in again solved the issue. Now everything seems to work.

[PhotoPhil]

You are describing a device NOT sufficiently protected against environmental conditions.

[aka_vj]

same problem for my fairphone6, this is my initial post here:

Camera app launch and shows a completely blurry image

Hello depuis la mise a jour android16, quand je lance l’application camera, le mode “photo” en “x1” et le “x2” sont totalement flous. impossible de faire la mise au point. le mode “x0,6” est ok MAIS quand je zoom en touchant l’ecran, un flou survient brutalement en “cut”> impossible de prendre de photos Mais quand je passe en mode “macro” l’image est nette comme une prise de vue normale. J’ai compris qu’en realité les modes sont inversés! le mode “macro” = mode “x1” et le mode “x1” c’est le…

and I’ll reply here:
After doing some research, yes the main module camera seems to be broken because when in put my finger over the main camera lens and the wide lens for detect the correct lens, the wide lens take correct pictures (for the macro mode too) and classic photo mode is full blurry.I ‘ll contact the shop for support.

[Kalibri]

Just some update on my part:
After a day it didn’t work again.
I contacted the support via chat 4 weeks ago and asked them to send me a new main camera. They wanted to have some information:

Reply by support

Update to the latest software version

Make sure to update to the latest software: Android OS v.16.48.0 (Build number FP6.QREL.16.48.0)

The release of some updates may be delayed by up to a few weeks. This depends on your country and phone carrier.

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Clear the camera apps’s cache

1. Go to Settings → Apps → See all apps.

   • Alternatively (based on Android version), go to Settings → Apps & Notifications → App info.

2. Find the Camera app (or any other custom camera app you installed from the Play store).

3. Tap on Storage & cache.

4. Tap on CLEAR STORAGE, this will also clear the cache.

   • Note that this might delete some settings of the app. This will not delete any photos.

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Try another camera app

By trying with another camera app, we can better understand if the issue is with the hardware or the software.
A favorite among our users is the Open Camera app, as it’s open source and many report it works well on their device.

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Service test

1. Open the Phone app.

2. Dial *#*#2886#*#* in the same way you enter a phone number to make a phone call. Once the last character is introduced, the Service Menu appears (be patient, this can take a few seconds).

3. Select Manu.

4. You can test each camera on the phone by tapping on its name - Front Camera, Main Camera, and Super Wide Camera. Each of these will start the respective camera and show you its output. Note that it’s possible for the service test to show minor ratio distortion (e.g. faces appear taller or wider than they are) that’s not present when using the Camera app. If that’s the case, the camera sensor is okay.
   Choose FAIL or PASS accordingly based on the result of the test and let me know how it went.

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Additional information

• Are the issues permanent or intermittent?

• Can you share a photo/video where the issue is clearly visible?

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To help you further with this issue, could you please provide:

• The invoice / bill of the Fairphone (Gen. 6), as PDF, that contains the following:

  • Purchase date

  • Shipping/delivery date

  • Purchase costs

  • Order number

Could you confirm for me:

• Your full name

• Your shipping address with your house number, street, city, zip/postal code and country (please note, this cannot be a UPS Access Point)

• Your phone number (for any questions during delivery)

A week later without reply, I contacted them via chat again and they asked me a follow up question to something. I replied and asked them again to send me a new main camera.

Then 1.5 weeks ago, they sent me the main camera which arrived yesterday and everything seems to work.

I’m happy they they send me the camera after 2.5 weeks after contacting them and I didn’t have to send my phone in.

[aka_vj]

Thanks for your feedback Kalibri,
Same problem for me. Same informations wanted, same tests, all the process done.

My fairphone6 have 5 months old and after many test, finally, the main camera is broken.
It’s probably a problem with the lens shifting, too fragile for a smartphone, in my opinion and after reading about some experiences here.

I’m really upset cause I’m going on vacation in two weeks.
Even though I’ve been raving to everyone about this eco-friendly, high-quality smartphone, I’ve ended up with a low-quality device for the first time since I’ve owned a smartphone.

I bought my Fairphone 6 at a partner store, which is sending the device back for warranty service. That’s not an option for me to send my phone. impossible in this conditions.
I specifically bought a smartphone so I could replace parts myself and no longer have to rely on stores. I’m going to contact support.

[Kalibri]

I also bought my phone not directly at fairphone, but fairphone support still sent me the camera. I think it’s pretty great that they send you a new camera without sending the phone in.

[yvmuell]

@aka_vj

so I could replace parts myself and no longer have to rely on stores. I’m going to contact support.

You can just buy the module and when it helps ask for a refund. That helps for your vacations.