Samsung Note 8 rear camera issues

[Android Central Question]

I bought a second hand Samsung Note 8 phone. The front camera works brilliantly. But the rear camera has a washed out effect. The picture the camera takes in "Photo" mode has too much brightness (that's the best way I can describe it), but in "Live View" mode, there are loads of specks of something, but it's very clear and sharp. See below for the photos.
All this makes me think that the internal camera is fine, but the outside lens screen is scratched or has dirt on it. I tried cleaning with toothpaste like YouTube videos suggested, but it didn't make a difference.
As there are no phone repair shops that are open right now, can someone tell me how I can fix this issue?

Thanks
Marie

 

[FlowersLondon]

Photos are here.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/floweringhobby/49745709893/in/dateposted-friend/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/floweringhobby/49745710073/in/dateposted-friend/

 

[mustang7757]

Hi, welcome!
Does the glas on the camera look broken ?

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Are you certain there's no protective plastic film over the camera glass that you're supposed to peel off?

 

[FlowersLondon]

It was broken and I sent it off for repair. And it came back like this. Not sure what they have done. But I can see scratches on the outer surface if I look in certain light

 

[FlowersLondon]

No, there's no protective film. I even tried the cellotape trick that I saw on YouTube with no luck. I can't understand how I get a clear picture with the Live Mode, but not with Photo mode.

 

[B. Diddy]

It's possible Live Mode uses the other camera lens. Unfortunately, you may just have to wait until you can contact the repair shop again about the repair job they did.

 

[FlowersLondon]

Is there a way to figure out if it's the lens cover or if it's the camera itself that is faulty? Thank you.

 

[B. Diddy]

The specks definitely look like dust or other debris under the camera glass. The fogginess could be smudges or some other residue on the inside of the lens glass. I don't think there's any way to tell short of removing the camera glass, which I wouldn't recommend doing on your own -- get the repair shop to do it. If you start fiddling with it, the shop could say that you caused the problem.

 

[FlowersLondon]

Thank you so much. I don't want to spend too much money on it getting it repaired and I am worried shops will charge me for the new internal lens when it could be just the outside lens cover