While those may not be the sole reason for the giant half-a-gig size of the Camera app there, they are exclusive to Google’s Pixel series for now, even though ostensibly part of the new
features list. What gives?
What is Ultra HDR on Pixel 8 with Android 14?
Google’s newest mobile OS version brings with it improved photography on all Android phones with it, dubbed Ultra HDR, but what exactly does it do? As the name suggests, the option shoots an enhanced version of photos with high dynamic range that fit both shadows and bright objects equally well into the frame, but Google now promises a more natural and less processed look, too.
Does Pixel 8 take better photos with Ultra HDR?
Pixel 8 Ultra HDR sample
Notice a difference even on your standard range display? There is, and Google even has a handy graph that explains the SDR-to-HDR-to-Ultra HDR transition advantages.
Android 14 Ultra HDR feature vs standard phone camera HDR
With Ultra HDR, the image processing for the full HDR output can use a lot less tone mapping, making them look much more balanced and natural while improving contrast. Browser support in Chrome is also a huge step forward in making these types of photos the norm, and SDR dimming means you don’t need to turn up your screen brightness just for HDR content to look correct.
Unfortunately, here comes the caveat. Ultra HDR is an end-to-end high dynamic range solution, from taking the photos with all the requisite gain maps and recording it in the respective new JPEG-R format, to displaying it on supported premium phone, tablet, laptop, or TV displays. Even the image processor has to support the new format and Google says it worked with Qualcomm on Snapdragon chipset support.
Google’s control of the process aims to achieve a more natural photo look than the standard processed HDR images with overly excessive tone mapping. There are, however, a number of conditions and challenges that have to be met or overcome in order to enjoy the full beauty of Ultra HDR images as Google intended.
How big are Pixel 8’s Ultra HDR images?
Needless to say, the new Ultra HDR feature of Android 14 brings with it a new image file format, JPEG_R. Fortunately, it is backward compatible with common JPEGs and with any standard dynamic range display.
What apps support Ultra HDR editing on Android 14?
How can I view Ultra HDR images?
The Google Chrome platform or a Chromium-based browser has full Ultra HDR support and allows viewing the images in their full glory on the following devices:
- Pixel 7 and up phone running Android 14.
- Windows PC with an HDR display.
- Mac with an HDR display.
Android 14 Ultra HDR support and takeaways
As you can see, there are many puzzle pieces that have to fall into place in order to enjoy the end-to-end Ultra HDR photos that come with Android 14 and debut on the Pixel 8 series. Everything, from the chipset through the browser or app platform, to the display specifications has to be wired for Ultra HDR to be captured and displayed properly. Popular social media apps like Instagram have yet to support Ultra HDR content, for instance.
For now, this means exclusivity to newer Pixels and limited support on other devices, but Google’s new Ultra HDR format that solves the puzzle of an overly processed HDR photo looks is still in its nascence, and its importance can only grow from here.
