Samsung’s latest One UI 6.1.1 update for the Galaxy S24 Ultra has inadvertently caused a significant issue for users of third-party camera apps, particularly those utilizing the popular GCam mod. The update appears to have blocked access to the RAW stream data from the phone’s 3x telephoto lens, rendering it unusable in these applications.
The problem was first reported by users on Reddit and quickly gained traction as more S24 Ultra owners confirmed the issue. When attempting to use the 3x lens in GCam after the update, users are greeted with pink-striped images instead of normal photos. This malfunction occurs regardless of the GCam port or configuration being used.
The root cause seems to be a change in how the Camera2 API handles RAW format data for the 3x lens. This API is crucial for third-party apps to access and utilize the phone’s camera hardware. Without proper access to the RAW stream, these apps are unable to process images from the affected lens correctly.
While the issue is most prominent on the S24 Ultra, there have been reports of similar problems occurring on some S23 Ultra devices that have received the One UI 6.1.1 update. This suggests the problem may not be limited to Samsung’s latest flagship model.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Samsung has faced such an issue. The S24 Ultra experienced a similar problem with its 1x lens at launch, which was subsequently fixed in one of the early updates for the device. This has led to hope among affected users that Samsung will address the current 3x lens issue in a future patch.
The impact of this problem extends beyond just the GCam mod. Other third-party camera apps that rely on RAW data, such as MotionCam Pro and ProShot, are also affected. However, apps that don’t use RAW photo data, including video-focused applications like Blackmagic Camera, appear to be unaffected.
For many users, the 3x telephoto lens is a crucial part of their photography toolkit, often being the second most used lens after the main camera. The inability to use this lens in popular third-party apps significantly impacts the versatility and appeal of the S24 Ultra for photography enthusiasts. So we’ll just have to wait and see how long it takes Samsung to address the bug.
Dwayne Cubbins
376 Posts
For nearly a decade, I've been deciphering the complexities of the tech world, with a particular passion for helping users navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From crafting in-depth guides that unlock your phone's hidden potential to uncovering and explaining the latest bugs and glitches, I make sure you get the most out of your devices. And yes, you might occasionally find me ranting about some truly frustrating tech mishaps.
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