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Google is testing HDR photography for Camera Go on budget Android Go smartphones
The Camera Go app for Android Go Edition phones comes with a hidden HDR toggle. We got the setting to surface, but it remains non-functional for now.
Google Camera Go is a watered-down version of the Pixel's Google Camera app. The app was released on the Nokia 1.3, an Android Go smartphone, and we recently went hands-on with the apk to see what the app can do. While the app itself is barebones, what excites us is the sheer potential it has in democratizing the Google Camera experience, extending the camera magic beyond the exclusive Pixel, all the way to the opposite end of the market. And to prove our point, we have now spotted upcoming HDR photography features on Camera Go, which can enable HDR on low-end Android devices.
Download Google Camera port for the Samsung Galaxy Note 9/Galaxy S9
Looking for the Google Pixel's HDR+ feature in the Google Camera app? Here's a port for the Snapdragon/Exynos Samsung Galaxy S9 and Samsung Galaxy Note 9.
The Google Camera ports are becoming more and more popular in the Android community because of the amazing HDR+ feature that works on non-Google Pixel phones. These ports are made mainly for the Snapdragon phones, but with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845, Google Camera ports caused the Samsung Galaxy S9, Samsung Galaxy S9+, and Samsung Galaxy Note 9 to reboot. Some great developers were able to work around these issues and ported Google Camera to the Samsung Galaxy S9/Galaxy S9+ and Samsung Galaxy Note 9 on both the Snapdragon and Exynos chipsets. Although the Google Pixel's excellent HDR+ works, the Google Pixel 2's Portrait Mode does not work yet. Developers of these ports state that once the Google Pixel 3 releases, they should be able to get Portrait Mode working by examining the updated Google Camera APK.
Google Camera vs. OxygenOS Camera: Which is better on the OnePlus 6?
Ports of the Google Camera from Pixel devices have improved the cameras on many phones. So lets compare the OnePlus 6 OxygenOS camera vs the GCam mod.
The OnePlus 6 is one of the standout devices of 2018. Like many of its predecessors, it offers a compelling flagship level performance package at a good value, at least when compared to what other offerings are available. Outside of discounted flagships, or older devices at an unexpectedly lower cost - like the Pixel 2 - it is hard to find much around this price point that can compete. That said, the Achilles heel of OnePlus, outside of their early marketing efforts, has traditionally been their cameras. While their camera game has stepped up significantly in recent years, inching closer to flagship levels, the camera is still lacking, especially in the processing of photos. As such, and being that the OnePlus brand usually brings out the abandoned Nexus warriors, the Google Camera (GCam) mod has become near-essential on prior OnePlus flagships.
Download the best Google Camera port for your Android device
The Google Camera Port Hub is a centralized location where you can go to find a working port for your device. Currently, the hub has over 40 devices listed.
One of the best developments in the Android community in recent years has been Google Camera ports. The Google Pixel's picture-taking ability is spectacular, even though the camera hardware may be better on other devices. A lot of the Google Pixel's photo magic comes from the Google Camera app. Features like HDR+ and portrait mode make the camera really shine. A vibrant community of developers and users has sprung up to bring these features to as many devices as possible.
Enable Google Camera HDR+ and EIS on the Xiaomi Mi A1 without Root
XDA Member AridaneM has released a tool to install the Google Camera HDR+ port on the Xiaomi Mi A1 without needing root. It enables the Camera2 API as well as Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS).
The Xiaomi Mi A1 is Xiaomi's first Android One smartphone. It was released in September with a decent list of specifications, including a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 system-on-chip, 4GBs of RAM paired with 64GBs of storage, a 5.5-inch Full HD (1920x1080) IPS display, dual 12MP + 12MP (wide angle + telephoto) rear cameras, and a 3080mAh battery. The phone shipped with nearly stock Android 7.1 Nougat, and it received the Android Oreo update last month.
Google Camera HDR+ port adds support for LG Smartphones' Wide Angle Lens
XDA Senior Member cstark27 has released a beta version of the Google Camera HDR+ port with support for the LG G5, LG G6, LG V20, and LG V30's wide angle lens camera.
The first version of the unofficial Google Camera HDR+ port was released in August. It made available Google Camera's HDR+ technology to non-Nexus and Pixel devices, and has been proven to significantly improve image quality in many cases. Since then, the port has received many updates, including RAW support, support for Motion Photos, support for Portrait Mode, and more. It is, in fact, quickly becoming one of the most sought after mods for Qualcomm-based devices (and it now works on some Exynos-based devices as well).
Google Camera with HDR+ Supposedly Working on Exynos Galaxy S7/S8/Note 8
The Google Camera app with HDR+ processing is now working on the Exynos variants of the Galaxy S7, the Galaxy S8, and the Galaxy Note 8.
Up until now, the Snapdragon variants of the Samsung Galaxy S7, the Galaxy S8, and the Galaxy Note 8 could install and use the unofficial Google Camera HDR+ port to benefit from its image processing, but the Exynos variants of these devices were out of luck. This changes today, as the unofficial Google Camera HDR+ port is now working on the Exynos variants of the Galaxy S7, the Galaxy S8, and the Galaxy Note 8.