Older Pixel Pros now have manual lens selection, can capture better HDR+ photos

Peter, 17 June 2024

The June Pixel Feature Drop is backporting some Pixel 8 camera features to the Pixel 6, 7 and the Pixel Fold (and in one case, the Pixel Tablet too). This comes with Pixel Camera version 9.4.

Normally, the camera app automatically decides which lens to use based on zoom level, lighting conditions and more. But now you can go into the Photo Settings and choose a manual lens selection – this lets you pick which camera to use (wide, ultra wide or tele) instead of whatever the phone decides. Note that this is limited to the Pixel 6 Pro, 7 Pro and Pixel Fold (i.e. the vanilla Pixels still only have the auto option).

Manual lens selection comes to older Pixel Pros
Manual lens selection comes to older Pixel Pros

This toggle lives under the “Pro” tab of the Photo Settings. Also here you will find the setting for how photos are saved – JPEG only or JPEG+RAW. This isn’t a new feature, but previously it was located under Settings > Advanced.

HDR+ is better at picking the perfect moment to snap a photo
HDR+ is better at picking the perfect moment to snap a photo

Additionally, the HDR+ mode is now better at picking the perfect moment – you tap the shutter key and the phone will do its best to capture the photo when the subject’s face is in focus and they are smiling. This is added to the Pixel 6 and newer, Pixel Fold and also the Pixel Tablet.

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Reader comments

  • Anonymous
  • 18 hours ago
  • NCv

Available in Canada now

  • Eminof
  • 19 Jun 2024
  • Gva

I waited too long for this option, and it turns out that you can only change the lens manually in photo mode, not video mode! Waste of time!

  • kekeke
  • 18 Jun 2024
  • KsU

That's history (for Google) It seems to me Pixels are now divided in ages. OG series (Pixel 1-4) Tensor series (Pixel 6-9) ???? series (Pixel 10- onwards) Pixel 5 was made of leftover parts. It was neither a proper Pixel a nor...

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