Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 camera is blurry, shakes or will not focus

The checks in more detail

Clean all the lenses, because a fingerprint on one of three rear lenses blurs only that lens. In Flex mode the camera uses the inner or cover screen as a viewfinder, and the switch between screens can leave the camera app stuck, so use the Recents screen to close the app first. A case that covers the rear camera island or presses on the lens can stop it. If the camera fails in Safe mode too, the Samsung Members camera diagnostic and a service visit are next.

Do not press on the screen crease while the camera is open. Samsung's camera lag fixes and the Fold5's own updates have addressed black screens on opening, so check Galaxy Store and Software update first; also check that the Fold5's Rear display preview, which shows the viewfinder on the cover screen, is off if the cover screen is confusing the app. Test with the phone open and the preview setting off. A case with a built-in S Pen holder or a thick ring can rest on the rear lens island and cause haze, so remove accessories from the back and test.

Also compare the main camera with the cover screen's selfie camera and the under-display camera; if only the under-display camera is soft, that is by design, because the screen sits in front of it and softens the picture. Samsung's Camera Assistant app, available in Galaxy Store, offers settings such as auto lens switching and fast focus that change the behavior of the Fold5's camera, and some owners found that its default settings reduced lag. If the camera app seems slow, install Camera Assistant, review its options and reset them to default if you changed them.