These are the 8 weirdest ways I use my phone camera, and my life is easier for it

Mobile cameras have become ridiculously good. Today’s Android phones are powerful imaging tools disguised as everyday gadgets.

Yet, many people stick to selfies, food pictures, or the occasional QR code scan. We’re barely scratching the surface.

I didn’t realize how much I underused mine until I saw a demonstration of Xiaomi’s AI glasses. You can use it to count calories from a plate of food.

I figured I needed that on my Android phone, until I found out it could already do that with the right app.

That discovery opened the door to a world of surprisingly useful lens-powered features. These eight examples are my favorites.

8

Read the room with AR measurements

I recently turned my phone into a virtual measuring tape with the AR Ruler App. I can point my camera at a space and calculate distances by dragging from point to point and walking around.

It also uses the device’s gyroscope and motion sensors to scan the room and detect planes, so I can measure anything from a bed frame to my entire living room.

I don’t always have tape handy, so the app concept is essentially a replacement. Home shopping becomes easier because you’ll have a better sense of how items fit into your decor.

Most measuring apps require a subscription, and free ones are limited to a trial. AR Ruler App is among the better ones, with a generous three-day free trial, enough for quick measurements.

7

Expose subjects with light meters

Lighting is an important element in photography. Even the best camera can’t fix a poorly lit shot. Without proper exposure, photos turn out dark or flat.

A light meter helps you measure how much light hits your subject, so you can adjust your settings accordingly.

DSLRs usually have a light meter built in. If you’re on a budget or using an older camera, your phone lens works surprisingly well.

I came across YouTube creator Reimann Pembroke, who uses an app called Lightmate to get accurate exposure values and lux readings. His approach made indoor portraits and stills much easier to get right.

However, Lightmate is iOS-only. Android users can get similar results with Photofriend or Light Meter Lite.

6

Get makeup right with skin tone analyzers

I hardly wear makeup. When I do, my foundation doesn’t match my neck, and other product colors are unflattering.

I eventually took a makeup class where I learned how to match undertones and swatch shades properly. Even now, I’m not always confident when shopping for liquid foundation or tinted moisturizers.

I was stunned by how easy it was when I discovered the Unotone app. It uses your phone camera to scan your face. Then you’ll tap or drag a small square across different parts to sample them.

You’d be surprised how many color shifts live within one face. My T-zone, cheeks, and jaw leaned towards slightly warm, cool, or neutral shades. I tried it different times and got product recommendations based on the detection.

Use the app to streamline the process of picking your makeup and wardrobe colors that truly blend with your skin. When in doubt, ask other users in the community about challenges.

5

Identify and properly care for plants

My sister has a potted Kalanchoe pinnata growing at the back of her house. That’s a botanically fancy way of saying Cathedral Bells.

I didn’t know this until I used the Plantora app to detect it. I also got care tips and schedules. Since then, I’ve been on an identification spree and become a plant enthusiast overnight.

Open the app, select what part of the plant you’re scanning, and take a photo. It analyzes your image, then tells you what you’re looking at.

You’ll get the best match result along with fertilizer advice. Save it to your personal plant list to revisit it later.

Your first five scans are free. If you need more, watch an ad or upgrade to Premium for unlimited plant hunting.

4

Enter workout forms that produce results

Some people work out at the gym. Others, like me, prefer home workouts because of social anxiety or body image. The downside is that there’s no trainer or gym buddy to correct your form in real time.

I usually follow YouTube videos, but bad form can stall progress or cause injury. Apps like Gymscore AI record your workout, analyze posture, and give brutally honest feedback.

My first trial revealed that my squat looks like I’m searching under a couch for something. Over time, it tracks your improvements and points out what needs work.

You’ll need a subscription to make the most of it. If privacy is a concern, use your phone’s camera and compare your form to pro instructors or stick to a mirror. Stay mindful of alignment in your neck, shoulders, and knees.

3

Pick colors from nature

I use Canva on my phone and various editing apps when I’m away from my laptop. Most of them don’t have live color pickers, and I find myself needing them.

Sometimes, inspiration strikes in real life. It could come from a stranger’s outfit or the way the horizon glows during the golden hour.

Instead of guessing the shade later, I use Color Picker to capture it on the spot and save it. It identifies the exact shade, complete with HEX and HSL values.

There’s also a Magic Generator, which randomly creates color palettes based on locked hues.

2

Plan a better diet

I mostly use Calorie Counter for its AI meal scanner. The camera doesn’t see the exact calories on your plate. It mostly gives you a helpful estimate based on what it visually recognizes. Then it suggests what the items might be and fills in the macro breakdowns.

The app is also a full diet and health planner. It can create a personalized plan based on your goals if you go premium.

I use it to recognize and organize my meals around my weight gain budget. It helps me avoid undereating or loading up on empty carbs.

1

See the way clearer

I’m nearsighted and frequently leave the house forgetting my glasses. I hate that I’ve come to depend on it most times. However, I’m glad that there are ways to survive without it.

Lookout uses AI to read text I point at aloud. It also has a document mode in case you need to read fine prints or other documents.

One feature I was really excited about is Explore mode. It identifies objects around you in real-time. But it needs work. It identified my water bottle as a soap dispenser because it’s in beta mode.

I’m hopeful Google continues to refine it. Its potential is too huge for the visually impaired to be wasted.

Your camera is your second pair of eyes

Google adds many thoughtful camera featuresto the stock experience. Android’s open-source nature also allows other brands to build their own twist on the technology.

I’ve come to love the Guided Frame feature on Google Pixel phones that helps people with visual difficulties take perfectly framed selfies.

Palm timer is another hands-free lifesaver I’ve used on my Realme phone. If you haven’t tried them yet, you should. You’re missing out.