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oneZer01 Author

Level 1

85 points

iPhone 6 plus rear camera blurry/wobbly (not focusing)

iPhone 6 plus rear camera is not focusing, won't remain stable and is blurry no matter how still I get whether video or picture. Automatic or manual focus not working either. Front facing camera works fine. Seems OIS isn't doing anything but making it worse.

Here is a photo(below) taken while completely still that never focuses automatically or manually and is vibrating vertically as if taken in motion.

Videos become wobbly and out of focus. Link: https://vid.me/Nxh

Steps I have taken:

1. Closed all apps and forced reboot of phone.

2. Reset all settings.

3. Restored phone to latest 8.1 software and set up as new phone.

Results still the same even if I use 3rd party camera/video app.

iPhone 6 Plus, iOS 8.1

Posted on Oct 20, 2014 8:58 PM

Top-ranking reply

Malily73

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Mar 17, 2017 7:56 AM

How did you find this out? I bought my iPhone 6+ in 2014, and the camera stopped working a couple months ago. But just got the new 7+, bc I was tired of not having a camera ph that didn't work! :-(

Can I still get a new iPhone 6+, since it's a defect issue?

View in context

175 replies

Nov 8, 2014 7:26 AM in response to oneZer01

I'M someone who uses the camera very often. So it's really frustrating not being able to. I've called up apple support here and even visited the service center and they've refused to do anything. Shipping to the U.S. is an issue as shipping costs are extremely high and I would need pay custom duty for no reason. If anyone can get me the contact details of someone at apple, I would really appreciate it.

Also for for information purposes, I had not undertaken any long car journey. The camera was working fine one day and not working from the next. I've done all the usual, Restore from backup, setup as new, reset settings, reset all data, restore from dfu mode(suggested by Apple Store). It's definately a hardware issue and that leaves me stuck!

oneZer01 Author

Level 1

85 points

Nov 8, 2014 9:51 AM in response to gaurav2508

I'm lost as to what exactly is happening with your conversations with Apple.. It doesn't matter where you purchased your phone, its an Apple product period and its under warranty so by law they must repair or replace phone at their expense if its a manufacturers defeat. I want to see the chat log as to what you're being told from the Apple genius techs.

If you have internet access on a computer, don't use phone, go to the contact page http://www.apple.com/support/iphone/contact/ and select get started under Apple Support > Service requests and troubleshooting >The Topic is not listed > type camera not focusing and it will ask a few questions, eventually you will get to a screen where you can select "chat" online. I want to see what they tell you, this way you have some sort of proof as to what going on or record your phone call with them.

Nov 8, 2014 10:19 AM in response to Bstarr119

I had the same issue, and went to applestore today. They just put a new camera in it, and then they replaced a new screen to, because he could see a tiny micro scratch. so that was a super service. So it looks like you have to go to apple and talk to them.

Nov 8, 2014 11:50 PM in response to oneZer01

i had done exactly that. I did chat with them but did not think about saving the chat conversation. I used the phone to log the request and chat with them. They sent a link that created a ticket number and then sent some diagnostic data to apple. Their site clearly mentions that they "may" provide service in an alternate location. So they are not obliged to do so. have spoken to the service Center again and asked them to reconsider. asked them to connect me with a supervisor. Have arranged a walk-in tomorrow. Let's see. Will keep all of you posted.

oneZer01 Author

Level 1

85 points

Nov 9, 2014 2:51 PM in response to gaurav2508

Well, this is extremely confusing as I've never heard this happening to anyone on a device. Get someone to go with you who can video record your experience and make sure to let them know you will be uploading this online or at the very least record the conversation, will change their tone in an instant. That proof will certainly get attention and help us understand what is going on because this is very interesting and unheard of. Also, the mention on the site about they "may" provide service in an alternate location is pertaining to a location other than an Apple store i.e. 3rd party locations, not whether they will fix your device, you are protected under law on that one. Your device is under warranty, simple as that, not to mention you haven't damaged your device or shows any signs of misuse. Talk with the manager if need be and be sure you don't leave until you're device is repaired/replaced or a sufficient outlet on procedure to send it in to Apple at their expense.

I also would like to know why you bought such a device outside of your home country and then you can use it in that country? Not trying to point fingers or blame, but I hope this will be something you consider in the future when buying such an expensive device you will be using extensively.

Nov 10, 2014 12:13 AM in response to oneZer01

This is what the Apple site states -

IMPORTANT RESTRICTION FOR iPHONE AND iPAD SERVICE.

Apple may restrict warranty service for iPhone and iPad to the country where Apple or its Authorized Distributors originally sold the Apple Product.

I spoke to the supervisor at the Apple Service center today and he told me that they can't do it. I explained that i don't need the entire phone changed and that changing the camera should solve my issue. And since the camera is not connected in any way to the LTE capabilities of the phone, it would not matter where the phone was purchased. I have written to him on his official id and asked him to initiate approvals from his supervisors asking for permission to repair my phone.

oneZer01 - I had a friend who was traveling to India and has asked him to purchase this for me. The phone usually releases 2-3 months later in my country and this way i could have the latest device sooner. I also use the phone camera quite a bit for photos (i'm an amateur photographer) and send these photos for competitions etc. There was an upcoming contest so I though having the latest and the best might make a difference to my submission. I did not anticipate any issues as I have had a new iPhone every year since the iPhone 3G and never faced an issue. This experience has taught me though and I am sure never to purchase another Apple product from outside the country.

oneZer01 Author

Level 1

85 points

Nov 10, 2014 4:54 AM in response to gaurav2508

Wow, I must have been looking in the wrong area, but this still presents an issue because what is their reason for not wanting to honor the warranty in your current country, they need to give you a valid reason at least. Also, I guess you will have to contact and mail your phone to the service center in the country where you bought this. Also, are there any 3rd party authorized apple repair locations where you are now that fix iPhones, there are a few where I live but you will have to pay for the repairs yourself though, $59U.S. for the camera and whatever their labor charges may be. Also, did you ask if you could pay for the repair yourself at the Apple store or are they saying they won't do it no matter what?

We're in the same boat, I've also owned all the iPhones since the 3G and have never had an issue until now. I certainly hope this isn't a sign of things to come, but its quite unusual because the iPhone 6 is having more problems than any of their previous devices. 😟

P.S. The iPhone camera is extremely good but it still doesn't have the capabilities and quality of a standalone device, even a $100us camera will take much better photos, especially for a contest.

Nov 10, 2014 9:07 AM in response to oneZer01

There are no authorised 3rd party apple repair locations. If i go to a 3rd party repair shop, I void my warranty(not that it's doing me any good now)! They don't give any reason for declining to service my phone except that it's the rule. From what I understand, this is due to 2 reasons. First because the models differ from country to country(LTE bands etc). Second, it's mostly to discourage smuggling. The phones are much more expensive here than in the US. Like $300-$400 more. So people would buy them abroad and bring them here. Or nefarious characters would smuggle them here to sell them for a tidy profit.

Mailing my phone to the US/Canada won't work because it's prohibitively expensive. And to top it off, I would need to pay customs duty for something I already own. Also Apple does not ship overseas. So even if I sent it, I'd have no way to get it back. I'm currently looking for someone going that way and coming back soon.

And no, Apple won't fix it even if I pay for it. That was the first thing I offered to do.

Also, the contest I'm taking about is an iPhone specific contest. Like the IPPA.(google it). Otherwise I Own a Canon 50D for the other contests. Also it's easier to whip the phone out rather than lugging the dslr around.

oneZer01 Author

Level 1

85 points

Nov 10, 2014 1:31 PM in response to gaurav2508

Surely, If you saved $300 - $400 I would just sell it and buy another one, cut your losses and lesson learned, either way much less than what you saved anyway. Not sure how someone else taking it to US or Canada is going to help if you are the one who bought it and its in your name. Or learn how to replace the camera on your own if you feel comfortable. I still don't see how you can use the phone in your country but say there is a different LTE band or whatever and you can't get it replaced, something isn't lining up. Also, I'm still not getting what they are telling you to do over the phone if local places won't fix, what options are they giving you for repairs from the phone chat?

Also, if you were doing an iPhone specific contest you could have easily used your 5S.

Nov 11, 2014 12:10 AM in response to oneZer01

Unfortunately I didn't save that much on it though yes I did save a bit. But selling it in its current condition would not be viable. If someone is took it to the U.S. along with the receipt, I'm sure apple would repair/exchange it no questions asked. It does not matter if I take it in personally or not.

India does not have LTE in most cities yet so it does not matter if the bands are different. We still use 3G here. So the phone works perfectly.

Repairing it it myself is the absolute last option. I am comfortable with such procedures but would rather not void my (inconsequential) warranty. Also, I can't be a 100% certain if it is only a hardware/camera issue.

I could have used the 5S if had not already sold it. When I got the 6, I sold the 5S to pay for the 6. The phone was working fine at that time. If I had anticipated any issues, I would have never sold my old one.

the only solution apple has given me till now, over chat or the phone is to return to the country of purchase.

Nov 15, 2014 3:00 PM in response to oneZer01

My second iphone 6 in five weeks has exactly the same problem. I mountain bike almost daily and told Apple this after the first failure. Think this is being caused by excess vibration, something Apple tests for but they are missing this defect.

Nov 18, 2014 8:09 AM in response to oneZer01

Hey, you're on the front page of yahoo today. Business Insider "Some iPhone 6 Plus Owners Are Experiencing a Weird Camera Issue".

Nov 18, 2014 8:03 PM in response to oneZer01

I also had a similar issue on my one week old 6 plus 128GB.

First noticed it when I was taking a video, the live feed was wobbling - and the recorded file was the same.

I could only take a photo if I held the phone completely steady then opened the camera app and took a photo, once I physically moved the phone then it would go out of focus immediately and could not be recovered. Would have to close the app, then hold the camera steady again and reopen the camera app.

I did the online chat with apple support, restored the phone as new and did their diagnostic check, camera was still the same. They then arranged a genius appointment for me the next day.

Went to my local apple store, showed the genius guy my issue, and they had a new replacement phone for me.

I'm in the US and have applecare warranty.

It's certainly alarming that this OIS is so sensitive, I'm not confident in it's longterm reliability. Honestly this OIS "feature" is something that I could do without.

Hopefully apple will address this issue, at least when they replace the camera system for others that they will install a more robust mechanism for this stabilization.

Nov 22, 2014 12:24 AM in response to oneZer01

I have the same problem, and sounds as though it may come from having phone on a bicycle mount

Nov 22, 2014 8:54 AM in response to oneZer01

i also have the same problem, will apple taiwan change me a new phone? so disappointed of iphone 6 plus quality, i will considering deeply for next purchase of apple product

http://youtu.be/eNTexHL1LtE

iPhone 6 plus rear camera blurry/wobbly (not focusing)