Video focus hunting / Camera keeps refocusing while filming

[Techanderer]

So it's a software problem after all.
I am curious, did u downgrade, and the downgrade wiped your ur data?

Yes, it erases all. I made a backup in 9.1, but when I recovered the backup to 9.0 things got a little bit messy. I think you should import only contacts and files when you downgrade.

I think the main problem are the settings because 9.0 and 9.1 have diferent functionalities.

But if it is hardware why are there so few cases?

I'm asking Honor 10 users in other forums but it seems just a few have the problem.

EDIT: One more thing. When I downgraded from 9.1 to 9.0 I had the problem, but when I upgraded from 8.1 to 9.0 the problem disappeared. Maybe were diferent 9.0 version.

 

[Techanderer]

Huawei has released a patch pack that seems to solve this problem for Honor 10 in China (COL-AL00 COL-AL10 COL-TL00 COL-TL10). I guess the oversea version is on it's way

Why do you say the patch "seems to solve this problem for Honor 10 in China"? I can't find any info about the patch.

EDIT:
Huawei says the issue was forwarded to the technical department, and that I can send my phone so they can repair it and I can use it with the latest EMUI without this problems. But they don't explained how are they going to do that.

My phone is going back to the seller, and I'm receiving a new one. Let us see if the problem continues with the new one.

Here are the results of my tests:
8.1.0.151 (CR432) - No problem at all (didn't try earlier version of EMUI) - Check the video
9.0.0.159 (C432E4R1P9) - Got this build after doing a factory result. I made just one or two indoor tests and I looks like it as the problem, but I didn't spend much time on this one.
9.0.0.229 (C432E4R1P12) - after some indoor fast tests it looks like the problem barely exists - Check the video
9.1.0.325 (C432E4R1P12) - Here starts the problem, and the focus stays very slowly and unstable
9.1.0.326 (C432E4R1P12) - Same as previous. The problem remains - focus stays very slowly and unstable - Check the video

When you focus things to close it always has more difficulty in focus, but it is really noticeable when you focus on further away objects. I'm giving this information to Huawei.

 

[daniel_loft]

Let me add a little bit of information about the whole downgrade thing.
Before taking the phone to software I did a backup of my wife's phone using HiSuite, expecting the new mainboard will come with at least a version of 9.1, if not the latest. The software version at the time of backup was 9.1.0.326.
In fact it came with 8.1.0.104. I restored the above backup onto this software version and... very few problems came around. From what I remember I had to clear the data for some apps (like Instagram), but none stored much relevant data on the phone, so no worries there.
8.1.0.104 doesn't display the issue. To be more precise it does display the exact issue while framing, but not while recording. While recording, in certain moments it does display the issue, but it is barely visible. In fact I noticed the same behavior on my OnePlus 5 (on which it never ever bothered me). I only noticed it on my OnePlus 5 now, while pixel peeping.

On another note, I told the service rep that, while waiting for the parts to arrive, I noticed that other people are complaining and that it seems to be a software issue. Maybe someone will upstream it to Huawei/Honor.

 

[Techanderer]

Something is clear to me: There are a lot of Honor 10 equipments that don't have this problem after upgrading to 9.1. Not only you don't find much info about it, but I also asked some people to test their phones in other forum (they saw the videos I posted) and they said they don't have the issue.

How many of you, with this problem, bought your phone in Germany. I think I and probably daniel_loft had. I asked in the biggest Portuguese technology forum and I found only one person with this problem. I will check with him how long he bought the phone and where (EDIT: Amzon.it more than a year ago).

Looks like some camera hardware don't work properly with 9.1. Maybe @daniel_loft got the good hardware now, but he will only know that when he upgrades to 9.1.

I hope my next unit comes with "the good" camera hardware.

All of this doesn't mean that Huawei can't fix the problem with firmware in the future.

 

[thealliens]

I got my phone from Romania.

 

[daniel_loft]

By the way I know my wife (she's a very "if it's working don't fix it", or update it - in this case, type of person) she won't let me update it and keep it the way it is. (unless maybe a newer software is released)
Honestly, I don't want to hear her complaining in case something doesn't work as expected.

 

[Techanderer]

By the way I know my wife (she's a very "if it's working don't fix it", or update it - in this case, type of person) she won't let me update it and keep it the way it is. (unless maybe a newer software is released)
Honestly, I don't want to hear her complaining in case something doesn't work as expected.

Wise decision.

 

[Techanderer]

I got my new Honor 10 today. Different IMEI, all seems new besides the fact that the screen had no scratch protector installed. Don't they always come with it? The phone came again with no protective case included. Is that also normal? I'm asking this because my new Honor 10 still has the problem of auto focus in video with EMUI 9.1. Could it be a problem of this store supplier?

I received it today, so I haven't made a lot of tests, but I made some in the same light, with the same object, and the difference between 9.0 and 9.1 was huge, no doubt this unit still has the problem.

I don't know what can I do more...

 

[thealliens]

It's a software problem and we just have to wait. Or sell the phone, that's what I am doing.

 

[Techanderer]

It's a software problem and we just have to wait. Or sell the phone, that's what I am doing.

But if it is a software, why just so few people have the problem?

I can't find another phone that fits my profile as well as this one...

I'm using it with 9.0 and I just miss the gestures navigation and the buttons of some apps at the bottom. I think I can live with that.

The lesson is: A Chinese equipment, is still a Chinese equipment...

 

[damianmcr]

This problem is really starting to piss me off.

 

[Techanderer]

This problem is really starting to piss me off.

I'm testing the 3rd Honor 10 device now, side by side with the second device. Here are my conclusions:
- All 3 devices have the problem
- With real life usage, it happens less than with specific tests
- The problem happens randomly. When filming side by side, sometimes one device has the problem, some times the other have, but rarely at the same time
- It happens a lot less if with film with 60fps - have you been filming with 30 or 60 fps?
- With usage, the device I have for longer is having less problems

Another thing is that the 2 devices sent by the first seller were just CZ market phones, and the new one I bought from another seller (all Amazon sellers) is the European version (several countries). The devices have different color tones in the back, different color in letters (the CE text). This 3rd device had a screen protector pre-installed and was the first to come with the protective case included.

Here is another example of a test with my new device:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XoKP6l5pGY

 

[tpbong]

Problem fixed after update to 9.1.0.350

 

[daniel_loft]

Problem fixed after update to 9.1.0.350

Can anyone confirm this?
I wouldn't want to update my wife's phone and run into trouble....
Thanks!

 

[Techanderer]

Problem fixed after update to 9.1.0.350

I can't find any information about this 9.1.0.350 Honor 10 firmware update. Do you have a Honor 10, or other Honor/Huawei device? If it is a Honor 10, is it the European version?

 

[tpbong]

Please follow guide from https://forum.xda-developers.com/honor-10/how-to/guide-hisuite-launcher-t3952270

 

[one282]

I claimed this issue as well a few weeks ago. Claims was accepted and new mother board was placed into phone. I did all updates, which vere possible / available - I had as well issues to got update after recieving the new one. MB came with old version 8.1.0.xxx, same as @daniel_loft mentioned, but I tried several options - OTA, Hisense, Hicare and finaly almost all updates were installed. I did not check, if issues were presented as well on older firmwares, and today sent device to second claim. Hopefully, I will be able to claim this for the third time as well, before update (mentioned update fix 9.xx.350) is available in CZ - till now only 9.xx.326 is available. I really do not like such a stupid issues, which makes your phone somehow limited. It is as well phone of my wife and she use this for making pictures of our small kid and blurry images + videos is the last thing you want remember after few years. I had similar issue on company Huawei P8 lite - as well claimed three times and than requested money back. So for me Huawei / Honor phones are not an option in future.

 

[Techanderer]

I believe the problem does not affect photos. The problem with photos is the "smart" camera making bad decisions, because it wants you to believe it can take photos with few light, slowing down the shutter and resulting in blurry photos when you move the phone or the subject moves. Old phones just took dark photos and then you used flash when you needed.

I never sent my phone to repair because it is a software/firmware problem (only with EMUI 9.1). I don't have major problems when I film in 60 FPS. It has the problem but it is acceptable this way. Huawei called me this week asking details about my problems and wanting me to make some tests.

 

[Juliovodoo]

I have the same problem. After updating to EMUI 9.1.0.326 (latest update from my country, Spain) focus problem when filmiing at 30fps with EIS persists, and as mentioned before, less noticeable at 60 fps without EIS. I sent all what they asked me to send and they told me via email that a solution is on the way by a future OTA but it never comes. We are with the August security patch yet and waiting for the fix. Filming in pro mode and selecting AS-F option gets rid of the problem but this is not the way. Very annoying problem that is starting to irritaing me.

EDIT. I found via Firmwarefinder, the app from Google Store that the update 9.1.0.350 is available and compatible with my Honor 10 model. I guess the same model we all have here, the european one. But I do not dare to do it, but there it is...

 

[[email protected]]

After last update here in Brazil the problem is gone. I received the update via OTA 11/14/19.