The CMF Phone 1, lauded for being a quirky and budget-friendly Android option, has a surprising party trick – its depth sensor can see through objects. It’s an unexpected feature that users cannot access via the default camera app, they rather need a third-party app. However, due to privacy concerns, Nothing has confirmed they will disable this feature via a software update.
To achieve its attractive price point, the CMF Phone 1 sacrificed a dedicated secondary camera for a 50MP main sensor and an undisclosed depth sensor. While the depth sensor remains inaccessible through standard means, a resourceful user managed to unlock its potential using a third-party app in developer mode.
The user’s initial findings revealed a low-resolution monochrome feed. However, things took a turn when he pointed the camera at a TV remote. The depth sensor, defying expectations, displayed the remote’s internal battery layout – cover intact.
This video quickly gained attention among users on X (formerly Twitter) and Akis Evangelidis, co-founder of Nothing, had to jump in to explain the situation.
The culprit, according to Evangelidis, is the depth sensor’s lack of an infrared light filter. This missing filter allows infrared light to pass through, which can, in certain situations, “reveal the internal structure of thin or semi-transparent objects,” particularly those made of black acrylic.
While some saw this as a quirky bonus for a phone priced at $200, some users are expressing privacy concerns. In response, Evangelidis announced the company will restrict third-party apps to access the depth sensor’s output “within a week” through a software update.
Some users in the comments also said why to remove this “cool feature”. Evangelidis acknowledged its appeal but responded cryptically: “Some people are trying to come at us from every angle, my man. They aren’t comfortable with our success. Therefore, we have to play it safe.”
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