Database Info

Camera Cover

I just want to know if the camera lens cover is replaceable.
I always have a far that it will get scratched and ill be stuck with talking pictures that have a big line through them. I liked the g1 on how it was part of the battery back, so if something happen to it i could just get another back. but on the g2 its kinda build it.
So wanted to know if it could be replaced some how.

IDK but it looks like a seperate piece to me(camera/flash covers and bezel). It might just pop out if you slip a tiny screwdriver between it and the back case half, or the back case half has to come off first.

Idk just hope mines never gets scratched or they make some replacement ones
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

xile6 said:
I just want to know if the camera lens cover is replaceable.
I always have a far that it will get scratched and ill be stuck with talking pictures that have a big line through them. I liked the g1 on how it was part of the battery back, so if something happen to it i could just get another back. but on the g2 its kinda build it.
So wanted to know if it could be replaced some how.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree completely, I'm wondering if the ZAGG full protection covers that tiny lens glass piece ?? Can anyone confirm because ZAGG has a cover called "Full Body Maximum Coverage for $24.99".

Unless it is a high quality piece of glass, any cheap plastic will affect the quality of the camera images.

mekel8090 said:
I agree completely, I'm wondering if the ZAGG full protection covers that tiny lens glass piece ?? Can anyone confirm because ZAGG has a cover called "Full Body Maximum Coverage for $24.99".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Full Body does not. Perhaps the Maximun, but i really doubt it, I believe it's only corners.

While looking for a new screen protector, I found this:
http://www.overlayplus.com/US/MFOP-HTCDesireZ
It has a small screen protector that protects the camera

Nice!!! Those will be my next screen protectors.

jmundo said:
Unless it is a high quality piece of glass, any cheap plastic will affect the quality of the camera images.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ordered the overlay plus sets so I'll let you guys know what I think. But any modern optical device is filled with plastic lens coatings. With the possible exception of these tiny phone cameras, I'd bet the image sensor and primary lens is one piece of plastic.
These cameras suck anyway, if I want a quality image I'll hump my Nikon DSLR around.
BTW it's lens has 5-10 plastic lens coatings in it to control dispersion,reflectivity,etc.

i have the overlay plus and if u put it on correctly ie no dust under... it looks no difference and did not affect the quality of the pics tat was taken.

jmundo said:
While looking for a new screen protector, I found this:
http://www.overlayplus.com/US/MFOP-HTCDesireZ
It has a small screen protector that protects the camera
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
geez $10 for shipping. i know it's fedex and all but they could easily ship usps for half the price with tracking.

[Q] Is the Camera lens made out of gorilla glass too?

Hey guys I was wondering if the camera on the phone is made out of gorilla glass as well? Cause im thinking of switching to a fourth case if the asnwer is that it is not. Has anyone experienced any scratches on the lens so far?

No... Why would it be?

to protect the lens inside, and also so it wont be scratched. DUUUH lol. But I have no clue if it really is.

its not. the only phone that i know of that does have it is a nokia because of its 12 megapixel shooter.

Nope, sadly it is not even glass, it is plastic!
I had mine in my pocket for ONE day and started seeing little scratches.
I was going to call SAMSUNG and ask what it was made of but if you take something (a coin?) and GENTLY tap on it you can tell that it is plastic.
I imagine one could purchase a tiny little pane of glass somewhere and mod this... if mine gets many more scratches I might give it a try!

Thanks for letting me know! Just gotta remember not to put my keys in the pocket with my phone haha. THis camera is pretty good to have scratches on it.

Yep its daaam goood!
Ive had my camera "protected" for a few weeks giving it a nice cleaning and then applying a little fragment of that plastic sheets that screen protectors are made from(basicly i just bought a random transparent screen protector and cut off a piece to match the camera).
Since i always have the phone and a bunch of keys and coins on the same pocket i decided to give it a try xD seems to work not a single scratch on the plastic.
Even tho... Maybe the camera plastic alone was doing a good job protecting the camera i like to think.it has double protection... Haha
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App

koriotto said:
Yep its daaam goood!
Ive had my camera "protected" for a few weeks giving it a nice cleaning and then applying a little fragment of that plastic sheets that screen protectors are made from(basicly i just bought a random transparent screen protector and cut off a piece to match the camera).
Since i always have the phone and a bunch of keys and coins on the same pocket i decided to give it a try xD seems to work not a single scratch on the plastic.
Even tho... Maybe the camera plastic alone was doing a good job protecting the camera i like to think.it has double protection... Haha
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it decrease picture quality? I might just try this!

Not likely - Gorilla Glass probably has optical qualities that make it inferior for a photographic lens.
Scratch-resistant lens coatings do exist (such as Pentax Super Protect coatings) but it would be unlikely to see these in a phone camera.

Sarius24 said:
Does it decrease picture quality? I might just try this!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it doesnt change the quality if the cleaning before putting the cover sheet was wel done...
yet it sometimes comes.off while getting the phone in and out of the pocket.. Im wondering if its actually useful xD yet i wanted to give it a try hahah
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App

No....my camera lens is already badly scratched....
Sent from my Samsung Infuse 4G - 1.6ghz

SSJ_Gomike said:
No....my camera lens is already badly scratched....
Sent from my Samsung Infuse 4G - 1.6ghz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This makes me worry D:

Sarius24 said:
This makes me worry D:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup.... Luckily for me there is a lot of glass over the lens and the scratch is just below it so it doesn't affect my taking of pictures...
Sent from my Samsung Infuse 4G - 1.6ghz

[Q] Should I remove the plastic thing on the camera?

Should I remove the protecting thing on the camera of the nexus 5 or will the camera get scrached?

The glass underneath the plastic is recessed so should be OK. That said, you can buy screen protectors with camera covers too.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

The lens is also fairly durable and does not scratch nearly as easily as the screen.
Last, a lens needs to be very scratched up for it to have a significant impact on your pictures.
http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/1095/does-a-lens-scratch-really-impact-your-photos/

if you have no need to use the camera, you dont need to take it off. but if you do want to use the camera, take the darn thing off! it wont get scratched very easy, believe me. i probably take more photos here than anyone else, on a daily level, and not a scratch on mine. been using since new years. and those screen savers with camera covers, they reduce image quality. personally, im very anal about the quality of the images, and anytrhing that covers or "protects" the camera lens cover will reduce image quality, no matter if it says it doesnt or someone says they dont notice.

raptir said:
The lens is also fairly durable and does not scratch nearly as easily as the screen.
Last, a lens needs to be very scratched up for it to have a significant impact on your pictures.
http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/1095/does-a-lens-scratch-really-impact-your-photos/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I imagine the lens scratches really easily but luckily its actually underneath a layer of glass.
As a keen photographer myself, I only partially agree with the link. Probably wouldn't matter on a device like this but as a general rule it would.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

I decided to remove it guys and it turned out that the plastic thing accualy doesn't cover the lense anyway it covers the HUGE camera becide it :laugh:

Mazen Amr said:
I decided to remove it guys and it turned out that the plastic thing accualy doesn't cover the lense anyway it covers the HUGE camera becide it :laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good job. It would just fall off eventually.
Also please remove the IMEI sticker from the back. Some people think it has a purpose or isn't removable for some odd reason.

bblzd said:
Good job. It would just fall off eventually.
Also please remove the IMEI sticker from the back. Some people think it has a purpose or isn't removable for some odd reason.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Removed it long time ago

simms22 said:
if you have no need to use the camera, you dont need to take it off. but if you do want to use the camera, take the darn thing off! it wont get scratched very easy, believe me. i probably take more photos here than anyone else, on a daily level, and not a scratch on mine. been using since new years. and those screen savers with camera covers, they reduce image quality. personally, im very anal about the quality of the images, and anytrhing that covers or "protects" the camera lens cover will reduce image quality, no matter if it says it doesnt or someone says they dont notice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see how taking photos would scratch the lens =P I think it's more of being in your pocket or leaving it on the table with no case on. Also, as OP found out, the plastic has a center opening for the actual camera and only covers everything around it.
@ OP After I RMA'd my phone I kept the plastic on there. However, after getting a dbrand skin that came with a lens covering, I used it to replace the plastic. A lot of skins now come with them, and as @rootSU said you can order transparent ones that probably will stay on the phone better.

sticker on rear camera and heat sensor/flash

Should this be removed it's not affecting shots. But I have a feeling its affecting the heart rate sensor.

I'm leaving mine on.... Both work for me.

I removed the one over flash, the adhesive and heat it becomes sticky. The one over the camera no problem, up to you.
Sent from my SM-G900T using AllianceR(●)m

jambo89liam said:
Should this be removed it's not affecting shots. But I have a feeling its affecting the heart rate sensor.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd recommend you take them off for best performance. Especially for the camera. Another layer of film over the glass will degrade image quality. Also, dust, humidity causing a foggy lens etc, can accumulate around and under the outer layer. That protective plastic is only there for during shipping to protect it so it's in perfect condition when you unbox it. It's not meant to stay on. You will get more hazy, less clear images with that outer plastic layer over the lens. EDIT *Also, that outer layer of plastic will give you more risk of lens flare.
Now, over the heart rate sensor? That's up to you. I'm not certain it if would affect the sensor reading. Since I don't use it, I wouldn't mind leaving it on. But it's such a small surface area to begin with, it would be hard to break. But personally, I want optimal image quality, so that plastic layer comes off for me. Much like I don't use protective UV filters over my DSLR camera lenses. :good:

JDM9499 said:
I'd recommend you take them off for best performance. Especially for the camera. Another layer of film over the glass will degrade image quality. Also, dust, humidity causing a foggy lens etc, can accumulate around and under the outer layer. That protective plastic is only there for during shipping to protect it so it's in perfect condition when you unbox it. It's not meant to stay on. You will get more hazy, less clear images with that outer plastic layer over the lens. EDIT *Also, that outer layer of plastic will give you more risk of lens flare.
Now, over the heart rate sensor? That's up to you. I'm not certain it if would affect the sensor reading. Since I don't use it, I wouldn't mind leaving it on. But it's such a small surface area to begin with, it would be hard to break. But personally, I want optimal image quality, so that plastic layer comes off for me. Much like I don't use protective UV filters over my DSLR camera lenses. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree (except for the part about UV filters on a DSLR, but that's another subject). It is crappy plastic that they use on the sticker and in no way meant to be used as a protective layer for camera shots.

Great answers my next question, any tips on getting them off I can't get a finger nail under to peel it.
Sent from my SM-G920F using XDA Free mobile app

jambo89liam said:
Great answers my next question, any tips on getting them off I can't get a finger nail under to peel it.
Sent from my SM-G920F using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ha, had the same problem. Keep trying with your finger nail. You'll eventually get it. Best not to use anything else that could risk scratching it such as a needle, tweezers, filer etc. Just keep at it with your nail. :fingers-crossed:

I'd remove the one on the heartrate sensor but you can keep the one on the camera as the camera lens itself is not covered by it!
It has a hole where the lens is.
So image quality does not suffer!
I actually removed both but as I found out the one on the camera actually has a hole for the lens I carefully placed it back on there.

whitepaw said:
the camera as the camera lens itself is not covered by it!
It has a hole where the lens is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your totally right just ran my nail over it, the lens itself it not covered.
Sent from my SM-G920F using XDA Free mobile app

whitepaw said:
I'd remove the one on the heartrate sensor but you can keep the one on the camera as the camera lens itself is not covered by it!
It has a hole where the lens is.
So image quality does not suffer!
I actually removed both but as I found out the one on the camera actually has a hole for the lens I carefully placed it back on there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both my wife's S6 and my S6 had no hole. We have T-Mobile variants. Hmmm, very interesting.

JDM9499 said:
Both my wife's S6 and my S6 had no hole. We have T-Mobile variants. Hmmm, very interesting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a T-Mobile Germany one which has the hole. It's only covering the glass around the lens here.
It's the edge here. Maybe it differs between edge and normal S6?

whitepaw said:
I have a T-Mobile Germany one which has the hole. It's only covering the glass around the lens here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should have mentioned U.S. T-Mobile versions in my last post. I could have very well quickly taken them off and not realize there was a hole....and now thinking back I just don't remember.

JDM9499 said:
I should have mentioned U.S. T-Mobile versions in my last post. I could have very well quickly taken them off and not realize there was a hole....and now thinking back I just don't remember.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have tmobile us version and has hole.

To take those pieces off, use a piece of tape over and peel off.
Sent from my SM-G920P using XDA Free mobile app

Bloody hell I scratched the glass aa bbit over the bottom sensor below the flash. What is that sensor for and will it be affected?

kitch9 said:
Bloody hell I scratched the glass aa bbit over the bottom sensor below the flash. What is that sensor for and will it be affected?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heart rate, and probably not unless the scratch is huge.

sticky tape works best when I removed mine

Haze on camera lens and photos.

Over the past few days my pictures have started looking like they were all taken in a 1920s jazz club.
I took a photo on the 9th of my living room setup that came out perfectly clear. The next day I noticed that pictures were coming out a little fuzzy, having a hard time focusing, and there appeared to be a slight film on the lens cover. The picture I post below is from today and the haze seems to cover almost the entire lens cover.
I removed the film the day I purchased the phone and haven't made any changes to my daily routine that may have brought this about.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to fix this? Hair dryer on medium for a minute or so? Should I RMA? Anyone else having this problem?

Is there any kind of condensation under the lens?

igothacked1 said:
Is there any kind of condensation under the lens?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't tell what it is but there is definitely something under the lens. However, I checked the water indicator in the sim tray and it seems to still be white.
Edit: I know you can't really tell anything from those photos. In the first one, even though it is out of focus, you can tell there is definitely something on the lens.

I can't tell much by the photos, but the camera and finger sensor ship with protective vinyl covers. The one on my finger sensor was particularly hard to remove because it was cut and aligned so perfectly, there was no lip to grab. I had to use tweezers to remove it.

sublimaze said:
...The one on my finger sensor was particularly hard to remove because it was cut and aligned so perfectly, there was no lip to grab. I had to use tweezers to remove it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I distinctly remember the fingerprint protector being a pain to remove. That's why I know there isn't a protector on the lens...

hiko36 said:
Yeah, I distinctly remember the fingerprint protector being a pain to remove. That's why I know there isn't a protector on the lens...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, I completely missed that in your OP. My S6 takes the best photos of any phone I've ever owned, I have zero complaints about that. Your photo is definitely hazy. I have never taken a photo like that. If you are still in your return period, you should exchange it.
Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

There is definitely something wrong there. Return the device while you can.
Can't really tell from the pics, but you might have condensation in the inner elements of the compound lens.
Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Thanks, gents. Looks like I'll be filing a warranty replacement on Monday.
The only thing I can think is that when I went for a run with it in an armband the morning it started and somehow sweat got in there. I guess they weren't kidding when they removed the water proof rating from the s5.
I attached a couple pictures from before it started. This camera seriously is phenomenal.