OnePlus 8 Pro's latest OxygenOS update fixes the Photochrom filter's see-through issue

Update 1: Shortly after posting this article, it has been brought to our attention that the OnePlus 8 Pro does actually utilize the Photochrom filter after all. We've updated the article accordingly.

The OnePlus 8 Pro's camera setup has been in the center of controversy of its own and this controversy actually has nothing really to do with the primary camera. Instead, it focuses on the auxiliary color filter camera, which was said to create the Photochrom filter. This secondary camera was written off entirely in early reviews, but was later found to be capable of seeing through thin plastic objects and very thin clothing too! Consequently, the camera was disabled in the next updates -- first in China, and then even on global variants. The device even went on sale in India with the color filter camera disabled out of the box! The drama may be coming to an end as OnePlus has apparently fixed the Photochrom filter's see-through issue with the OxygenOS 10.5.10 update.

OnePlus 8 XDA Forums || OnePlus 8 Pro XDA Forums

OxygenOS 10.5.10 is rolling out for OnePlus 8 Pro users in Europe, and it brings along an "adjustment" for the Photochrom filter, seemingly patching the see-through capabilities of the sensor. But as multiple users on the XDA forums and on Twitter have spotted, OnePlus's fix actually ports over the Photochrom filter to the wide-angle camera instead of utilizing the dedicated color filter camera hardware.

The end result is that users do get the Photochrom filter functionality back and it no longer can see through object layers. Win-win? But at the same time, this also places OnePlus into a conundrum: if the feature was possible through the wide-angle camera, what is the purpose of including a redundant camera sensor inside phones when space is an extreme premium? Further, can this feature also be ported over to other OnePlus devices that lack the dedicated camera filter hardware but still have the wide-angle camera? One can argue that the end-result of the filter is just novelty, but having an option to use it would still be appreciated by all.

Correction: As XDA Senior Member trollavin pointed out after publishing, the OnePlus 8 Pro actually does make use of the Photochrom filter camera. Further, the article incorrectly mentioned the working to involve the ultra-wide angle camera -- instead, the fix involves the main camera sensor. The fix utilizes the main camera for the main viewfinder photograph but also layers information from the color filter camera on top for the Photochrom effect. So if you do block the color filter camera with your finger, you lose out on the Photochrom effect.

Changelog for OxygenOS 10.5.10

The update is rolling out with the following changelog:

System
- Optimized the touch and interaction experience
- Optimized the power consumption performance of the system, battery life extended to be longer than ever
- Optimized the high temperature warning to improve user experience
- Fixed the failure to full-charge when battery was charged to 90% and above in a few circumstances
- Fixed the issue with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video unable to play HD video on some machines
- Fixed known issues and improved system stability
- Updated Android Security Patch to 2020.06
Camera
- Adjusted Photochrom filter (OnePlus 8 Pro only)
- Improved the shooting experience with camera and improved stability
Cloud service
- Added the file disk section in file manager: now conveniently upload and store all your files on OnePlus Cloud seamlessly (India only)
Network
- Added Visible network compatibility in the U.S (Global builds only)
- Band 46 CA combo enabled for India Network (India only)
- Improved the stability of communication
- Improved the performance and stability of Wi-Fi transfers
- Optimized network latency for online games and improved the smoothness