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CHINESE smartphone maker OnePlus has vowed to disable a camera on its latest mobile following reports the lens can take "X-ray" photos.

Users revealed on social media last week that the OnePlus 8 Pro's infrared "Photochrom" lens can see through certain plastics and clothes.

The 'Photochrom' camera on the OnePlus 8 Pro can see gadgets and other objects under people's clothes
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The 'Photochrom' camera on the OnePlus 8 Pro can see gadgets and other objects under people's clothesCredit: Twitter

Photos posted to Twitter show the lens being used to peer into the innards of TV remotes, or reveal phones and other gadgets hidden under clothing.

OnePlus said it was investigating the issue and would block usage of the Photocrom lens in China until further notice.

The filter is still available to users in other regions across the globe.

In a statement posted to Chinese social media site Weibo, the Shenzhen company apologised for "creating privacy concerns", Abacus News reports.

The camera uses infrared light to help users take 'artistic' photos with strage colours – but it can also see through plastic and other materials
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The camera uses infrared light to help users take 'artistic' photos with strage colours – but it can also see through plastic and other materialsCredit: Twitter
The OnePlus 8 Pro launched last month. It has four rear cameras
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The OnePlus 8 Pro launched last month. It has four rear camerasCredit: OnePlus

The OnePlus 8 Pro hit shelves last month and comes with four rear cameras, including the Photochrome lens.

The filter uses infrared to add a unique colour to your photos, but it appears the gimmick has some unintended side-effects.

The camera's "X-ray" capabilities were first spotted by US tech commentator Ben Geskin.

He posted a video to Twitter last week showing the 8 Pro's Photochrom camera looking through the plastic casing of an Apple TV set top box.

The lens uses infrared to add a "unique" colour to your photos, but it appears the gimmick has some unintended side-effects
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The lens uses infrared to add a "unique" colour to your photos, but it appears the gimmick has some unintended side-effectsCredit: Twitter

Videos posted by other users showed that the lens was capable of spotting the graphics on an iPhone box through someone's black t-shirt.

It appears the feature only works on devices with very thin plastic casing, and with select items of clothing.

In a statement on Tuesday, a OnePlus spokesman suggested an update to fix the issue would be released within the next few weeks.

"Over the last few days, there has been a lot of discussion about the capabilities of the color filter camera on the OnePlus 8 Pro, the firm said.

"Many users and media have talked about the unique photos you can take with it, but some have also raised questions about its capabilities to see through certain materials."

"While we think this camera gives users the ability to get more creative with smartphone photography, we also understand the concerns that have been raised," he continued.

"Therefore, we are already working on an OTA that we’ll push out in the coming weeks to offer the Photochrom filter while limiting other functionality that may be of concern."

The company added that the filter would be disabled in China due to "false and misleading information circulating on social media" there.

An update blocking the newfound "X-ray" capability will be rolled out worldwide.

Emily Ratajkowski gives her man a Valentine's Day to remember in OnePlus ad

In other news, the OnePlus 8 Pro was unveiled last month via an unusual live-streamed event.

It followed the release of the Samsung Galaxy S20 in February – featuring a "Space Zoom" camera.

And, Apple is reportedly working on a futuristic iPhone with no ports or buttons.

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