Sony confirms Oreo update has introduced new camera issue in Xperia XZ Premium, says fix coming in November [update: fixed]

Update (November 10):

Xperia XZ Premium firmware update (version 47.1.A.3.254) fixing the camera issues is out.

Original story below:

Software updates pushed by smartphone companies are notorious for breaking features, and the latest Sony Xperia XZ Premium update – which brought Android Oreo – seems to be no exception. The update may have fixed the image distortion problem with the device’s camera, but has introduced a new camera-related issue.

Specifically, Sony has confirmed that the Oreo update has adversely affected the functionality of the phone’s RGBC-IR and ToF sensors. This what a Sony Support staff said while acknowledging the problem:

When these sensors don’t work correctly, pictures taken under specific lighting/colour conditions will be affected. Results include slower auto focus and effects on colour rendition

And here’s the complete statement:

A couple of other key takeaways from the statement are: the issue only affects the dual-SIM variant of the handset, and the Japanese company has fixed the problem internally, with the fix set to begin rolling sometime next month (November).

For those who aren’t aware, the RGBC-IR sensor is mainly used by the camera to adjust the white balance based on the light source in the environment. The ToF sensor, on the other hand, usually helps in delivering 3D image information (which is why users are complaining that this issue has affected the company’s 3D Creator app as well).

In case you own a Sony Xperia XZ Premium, and want to check the functioning of these sensors, you can dial *#*#7378423#*#* to perform a services test. If the test shows negative values (see screenshots below), it means your unit is affected.

Sony Forums