[Honor View 20 Questions & Answers] NekoMichi:
UPDATE: SOLVED

This turned out to be an intentional feature, not a bug. Huawei actually has 2 different AI photography frameworks, and different phones use different frameworks. Click here to find out my detailed examination of multiple device models.

For context, here is the original post:

I'm currently using an Honor View 20 on 9.0.1.137, Camera app version 9.0.1.309 (previously 9.0.1.139) and Gallery app version 9.0.15.302.

The AI mode on the camera was working fine but for some reason the Gallery app can't properly detect photos taken with AI mode. Images taken with AI enabled no longer have that icon and the toggle to view the image with AI mode on and off has also disappeared, whereas in past devices I had this option.

As for the Camera app, I can still click on the AI mode icon to turn it on and off, and it will detect scenes. However, new photos taken with AI mode enabled and detecting a scene will no longer be marked as "AI" in the gallery and the toggle to view in different modes is gone. Also, I noticed that photos taken with AI mode enabled aren't that different to images taken without AI mode while on an Honor 10 the changes are dramatically different.

Weirdly enough, photos taken with AI mode on other Huawei devices sent over via Huawei Share do have the AI icon and can be toggled, however photos taken on my View 20 with AI mode will show up as normal photos when shared to other Huawei devices. This leads me to believe that while the AI framework is active, the Camera app is somehow no longer able to write AI information to photos it takes.

I have tried deleting cache and data for the Camera and Gallery app plus the HiAI system app, as well as resetting app preferences and rebooting. I have also booted into recovery mode and cleared cache. This did not help. I have heard that in the past, people have seen their AI icon disappear completely from their camera app but fixed it with a system update, however I am already on the latest Magic UI version available and cannot update. Is there any way I can fix this and restore proper AI functionality in my camera app? Thanks.

Example screenshots:

[IMG="Camera View"]https://i.imgur.com/yS7Wqua.jpg[/IMG]

In the camera view, AI mode can successfully detect the scene, but is not applying any enhancements. The image looks no different than if AI mode were disabled.

[IMG="Gallery View"]https://i.imgur.com/rGWzD0H.jpg[/IMG]

When opened in the gallery, the photo is missing the AI toggle option.

[IMG="Icon View"]https://i.imgur.com/Owy3Sl4.jpg[/IMG]

In the gallery, the thumbnail is missing the AI icon, indicating that this is not an AI photo. Images taken on other Huawei devices and sent over to this device will correctly display the correct AI options.

From what I can tell, it looks like the AI scene detection is working, but enhancements are not being applied when I take the photo. Gallery can correctly detect AI photos taken on other devices, but AI photos taken on my Honor View 20 are detected as normal photos. AI photos taken on my device look identical to the same scene taken with AI disabled.

EDIT 1:

Resetting all settings and wiping/resetting the entire phone did not fix the issue. Right now I'm booting into recovery and will attempt a full factory reset.

EDIT 2:

Performing a factory reset and setting the device up as new did not fix the issue. This appears to be a deep-rooted firmware problem and can probably only be fixed with a software update.

EDIT 3:

Using the OTG dload method to update to firmwares 9.0.1.138 and 9.0.1.140 did not fix the issue. Both firmwares have the same 9.0.1.309 camera app, which leads me to believe that it's this particular build of the camera app that has the problems.