How to activate and use the Pocophone F1's infrared camera to take photos

Is it possible to use the Pocophone F1's infrared camera to take photos? Normally, the infrared light sensor It is used to enhance the device's facial unlocking, but it is also capable of generating its own black and white images that can be saved and even used for curious effects, such as simulating night vision or seeing through some thin plastics.

What is the infrared camera of a mobile like the Pocophone F1 for

The facial breakouts they are more fashionable than ever. Simply by looking at our mobile we can be able to unlock it and start using it, depending on the device we have in our hands. As on other occasions, you can blame the iPhone X to be in charge of popularizing this action, even if he did not do it first. They set the trend that manufacturers such as OnePlus or Poco have followed.

However, there are several methods to use a face unlock. If we just look at the Android native option we discovered a less secure system, since it simply uses the frontal camera to try to unlock the phone. The problems this causes range from lower security – face mapping is less accurate – to the point of being unusable in some cases – it works worse in low light.

In the case of the Pocophone F1, the manufacturer integrated a combination of camera sensor, IR emitter and dedicated infrared cameraThis system allows for the creation of a much more reliable map of facial features, better differentiation between a real user and a photograph, and also the recognition of faces in complete darkness thanks to the infrared light beam emitted by the phone itself.

This solution relies on algorithms of AI-powered facial recognition similar to those used by the POCO F1's advanced facial unlocking system. The device is capable of face detection, pose estimation, quality assessment, and feature comparison, and all of this information is fed into the infrared sensor to improve accuracy even in challenging lighting conditions.

Furthermore, the Pocophone F1 combines this system with other security features such as fingerprint sensor rear. This allows the user to choose which unlocking system to use at any given time and to complement the device's security with several different authentication factors.

This is where the infrared light sensor. The first thing it allows is to detect the face more accurately. The model is therefore more accurate, making it more difficult to fool the face unlock with a similar or printed face. Second, it allows you to use the face unlock in low light conditions, which allows you to unlock your mobile at night without problems. And, furthermore, as we are going to teach you, It is possible to use the Pocophone F1's infrared camera to take photographs and obtain images that do not resemble those of the conventional front camera.

This infrared module is part of the phone's sensor suite, where we also find gyroscope, gravity sensor, electronic compass, light and proximity sensorAmong other things. Integrated into the notch area are the front camera, the distance/light sensor, the earpiece, the infrared illumination element, and the infrared camera itself; it is precisely this last one that interests us to activate the curious IR photo mode.

How to use the Pocophone F1's infrared camera to take photographs

There are several ways to access the infrared camera on the Pocophone F1. For example, you can download the application MIUI Hidden Settings and, once installed, open it and access the QMMI category. If you go to option number 29, call camera front. However, using this method, the photo would not be saved on your device. Although it is an interesting option to discover how your mobile sees you with this sensor, it is not what we are looking for.

Instead, from the main screen of MIUI Hidden settings, falls into the category of Hardware Test Look for option number 52 called IR Camera Test. Using it you will be able to save the photographs that you take. The resolution will be 640x480, due to the nature of the sensor. This size is much smaller than that of the main 20-megapixel front camera, but sufficient to experiment with infrared technology and view grayscale scenes with a very distinctive aesthetic.

Download MIUI Hidden Settings from the Google Play StoreThis app, in addition to providing access to the IR camera, allows entry into other internal hardware testing menus, such as screen checks, sensors, connectivity, or battery, making it a useful tool for checking the overall status of the device without the need for special commands.

If you're looking for even more direct access to the infrared camera that behaves similarly to a normal camera app, there's another way using third-party apps, such as IR Camerawhich activate the IR sensor in compatible mobile phones. These applications were initially used to offer something similar to a basic night visionTaking advantage of the fact that the Pocophone F1's infrared module has an emitter that illuminates the scene in the dark and a camera that captures that reflection.

The advantage of these types of apps is that, in many cases, they don't require the phone to be rooted, which reduces risks for the user. On the Pocophone F1 and the Xiaomi Mi 8, for example, simply installing the application and granting the necessary camera permissions is enough. directly activate the front IR sensorHowever, it's important to keep in mind that this is a use not originally intended by the manufacturer, so there may be errors, unexpected crashes, or incompatibilities with some custom ROMs.

In certain scenarios, this IR camera behavior has even allowed see through thin plastics and translucent cases, similar to what happened with the Photochrom filter on the OnePlus 8 Pro. Since it doesn't use real X-rays, but infrared light, the limitations are clear: it only works with very specific materials, usually plastics without special treatment It is effective against IR radiation and with reduced thicknesses. However, it is not effective on metals, thick glass, or opaque plastics designed to block the infrared spectrum.

This behavior has generated curiosity, but also some privacy concerns. In the case of OnePlus, the feature was limited in the Chinese ROM HydrogenOS to prevent controversial uses. No similar official announcement has been made in the POCO and Xiaomi ecosystems, partly because the feature is not visibly integrated into the MIUI camera app and depends on... hidden or third-party toolsHowever, it is advisable to use these capabilities responsibly and only in objects and contexts where the rights of other people are not violated.

Relationship of the infrared camera to the rest of the POCO F1 hardware

El Xiaomi POCOPHONE F1 It has become a true benchmark for value for money. The first device from this sub-brand of the Chinese giant has managed to steal the spotlight from other industry heavyweights launched in recent months, thanks to offering users exactly what they want: The best possible specifications in exchange for an extremely competitive price.

Among the details that make the POCO F1 a truly special mobile phone is the Infrared sensor included in the upper frontThis sensor is dedicated to unlocking the device by quickly and accurately identifying the user's face, even in low-light conditions. However, it can also be used to take photographs, thanks to a hidden option within the system and the tools that allow access to the internal testing menus.

By default, Xiaomi does not offer the option to use the dedicated infrared sensor for facial recognition as a camera. This is due, among other things, to the fact that The sensor is only capable of generating a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels with an f/2.4 aperture.This is minimal compared to what can be achieved with the two rear front sensors. Even so, this sensor is capable of capturing images—in black and white, of course—and combining them with the integrated IR illumination to achieve nighttime selfies at very close range in complete darkness.

To do this, you'll need to use the MIUI Hidden Settings app, a tool we reviewed previously, which allows access to some of the Hidden settings on Xiaomi phonesOnce downloaded, simply follow these steps:

1. Open the app MIUI Hidden Settings.
2. Look for the section called «QMMI» and click on it.
3. A new list of options will open. The one we're interested in is the Number 29, called "Camera Front".
4. In this way, we will see how the The front infrared camera begins to generate the image which it is capturing, in black and white and with low resolution.

Although the "TAKE PIC" button for capturing images appears at the top of the previous section, This option does not save the image to the gallery.To store them, you will need to return to the MIUI Hidden Settings app, and in the «Hardware Test» enter option number 52, and look for the shortcut to «IR-Camera Test", where the captured images will be automatically stored in the gallery after taking them."

While Images captured through this mode will not come close in quality Compared to the capabilities of the POCOPHONE's 20-megapixel front sensor, it's interesting to see the results obtained with this small infrared sensor. Furthermore, given that the infrared camera is accompanied by a short-range infrared LED –used to illuminate our face when unlocking the phone in low light situations–, it will be possible to capture well-lit night selfies, as long as the phone is close enough to our face.

Image | RevAtlas

One of the biggest surprises and one that's generating the most buzz around smartphones is the OnePlus 8 Pro camerawhich is capable of seeing through objects. This feature has surprised everyone as it's a novelty we didn't think we'd seen until now, but the truth is it's been around for more than two years, specifically in the Pocophone F1 and also in the Xiaomi Mi 8.

You probably own one of these two phones and have never encountered the option to use the x-ray camera, because it is actually a hidden feature. We won't find an option in the camera app This allows us to use it as seen on the OnePlus 8 Pro through the "Photochrom" filter, which alters the color of the scene. In the case of the Pocophone F1 and the Mi 8, this is achieved in a different way.

To start using our mobile phone as if it were an x-ray camera, we will have to use an application called IR camera which we found in the Google Play Store. The app only does that activate the infrared sensor from our Pocophone F1 or the Mi 8, so that we can take advantage of this technology.

This sensor is only found in the front camera, as it was added to these devices with the intention of improve facial recognitionAs we mentioned, it was two years ago that they were launched, and until now little to nothing was known about this feature, which was discovered by chance through third-party camera apps. Several Reddit users have already started to take advantage of it and demonstrate what can be achieved, showing us what a controller looks like inside or Redmi earbuds in their case.

The limitations are similar to those found in the OnePlus 8 Pro, only allowing its use on products based on plastic without any protection In the presence of infrared light, on objects with special coatings, metals, or treated glass, the IR camera does not penetrate the material and will only capture a dark or detailless image.

OnePlus has released an official statement announcing that this option will be removed from the ROM. HydrogenOSThis is the system used in China, and it's likely the same would happen with OxygenOS. In this case, Xiaomi and POCO haven't made any official statement and it doesn't seem likely they will, since it's not a built-in feature specifically designed for this purpose, and it can't even be done with the devices' own camera app.

El Xiaomi POCOPHONE F1 It has become a true benchmark for value for money. The first device from this sub-brand of the Chinese giant has managed to steal the spotlight from other industry heavyweights launched in recent months, thanks to offering users exactly what they want: the best possible specifications in exchange for an extremely competitive price.

Among the details that make the POCO F1 a truly special phone is the infrared sensor located on the top front, dedicated to unlocking the device by quickly and accurately identifying the user's face, even in low-light conditions. However, This sensor can also be used to take photographs, thanks to a hidden option in the system.

Take photos with the infrared sensor of your POCO F1

A few days ago, we saw a video of the OnePlus 8 using a color filter to see through various plastic objects, simulating what we see through an X-ray camera. Of course, these Android phones don't have X-ray cameras, but they do... infrared cameras These cameras were designed for other purposes, usually to identify users or improve the accuracy of photographs. The fact is, accidentally or not, users have discovered that these cameras can see through some objects, which is quite surprising.

An app makes it possible

Now, not only OnePlus, which had backtracked on using this filter in its camera, but also other Xiaomi phones that can see through objects thanks to a combination of hardware and this camera. The app in question is called IR Camera, and it was previously used to provide night vision on the phone when recording with the camera at night. This app is Compatible with the cameras of both the Pocophone F1 and the Xiaomi Mi 8And the best part is, unlike others, it doesn't require a rooted phone, which is a complicated process that gives the user complete control of the phone.

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In this case, after seeing images of the OnePlus 8 seeing through some objects, the app has resurfaced with a different focus. This time, the same app allows us to see through some objects, not all. We're talking about thin plastic objects, such as a headphone case. In the attached video, you can see how the camera on these phones is able to... see everything behind that plastic with considerable accuracyIt's undoubtedly a surprising effect that truly delivers on its promise. This is made possible by the infrared cameras found in both the Pocophone F1 and the Xiaomi Mi 8, and theoretically, in any mobile phone equipped with this type of camera.

But we're mainly talking about these two phones, as that's what the app was developed for. If you have one of these phones, you just need to install the app and start seeing through objects. Of course, you have to use manageable objects without overly thick casings, or the infrared light won't be able to penetrate. On the other hand, you also need to consider the application. It works on phones that are not rooted.And even if they are, it doesn't work with just any ROM. So the best thing to do will be Install it on one of these phones with its stock software updated To be able to enjoy these amazing views through our Android phone, undoubtedly an amazing feature that manufacturers obviously have limited in their mobile phones.

little watch Hi everyone, I just received my Poco Watch, but I can't get the remote shutter to work. The camera app is open, the watch screen is black with the shutter button, but when I click it, nothing happens. How can I get this working?

Pocophone F1 users are starting to receive an update that, while based on MIUI 9, fixes some bugs and, most interestingly, It adds the possibility of facial unlocking in some countries.

The new 9.6.22 update activates advanced infrared facial recognition in regions such as Poland, France, Spain, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Until now, This functionality was not active even though the hardware was present.

In addition to fixing some bugs, the update includes optimizations such as improvements to the Camera app and image processing, as well as the August security patchThe update is 423MB and can be downloaded via OTA.

The update seems to be rolling out gradually, as our Pocophone F1 is still... MIUI 9.6.14 and it still shows no updates.

The Pocophone F1 was launched a few weeks ago and stands out for its powerful hardware and long battery life at a very attractive price

Just when we had discovered another leaked unboxing, in this case of the Pixel 3 XL, the Xiaomi with the most original name finally makes its definitive appearance in video: from inside a sealed box with all its specifications and manual in sight.

This isn't the first video we've seen of the Xiaomi Pocophone F1, although the first one was rather blurry, slowed down, and didn't show much detail. In this video, we've been able to verify all its features in more detail, which have confirmed previous leaks.

In the first clear images from the video, we have already been able to verify that the model confirms its entry into Qualcomm's most elite club, the one of the Snapdragon 845 processors which are only fitted to the most ambitious terminals, until the next batch of chips arrives.

Before the first half minute of video, we already see how this edition, in 'Graphite Black' color, is accompanied by 6 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storageBut the features revealed in the video go even further: we are looking at a textbook example of a high-end device.

The dual rear camera system incorporates artificial intelligence, while the notch at the front is not merely decorative and confirms that it has a 20-megapixel resolution sensor and infrared prepared to work on facial recognition of their users.

Perhaps the most striking thing is what is identified as an industry-leading liquid cooling system "Thermal performance," according to the same information printed on the phone's screen. This detail would confirm that it is a new phone that would enter the 'GamingXiaomi's 'joining the previous Black Shark in this class of phones to whom They are required to perform better in graphics processing. who pay with heat.

Another detail confirmed in the video is the battery capacity of the Pocophone F1, which will come to the European market with up to 4.000 mAh battery life and Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging and an operating system with the MIUI 9 customization layer based on Android 8.0 Oreo.

The remaining features that complete the picture of this phone are the rear fingerprint reader, USB-C, 3.5 mm jack connection, Bluetooth 5.0 Dual SIM and dual-band WiFi, and a price of around 500 euros (according to previous leaks), very similar to what Xiaomi is proposing for the Mi 8.

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The Pocophone F1 combines a high-end hardware With a highly advanced infrared facial recognition system and an IR sensor that, although designed for security, can be repurposed to create black and white photos, night vision experiments, and transparency effects on certain plastics. Knowing how to activate and use this hidden camera allows the user to get even more out of a device that already stands out for its power and value.