Google Camera v7.2 Update Brings Astrophotography Mode to Pixel 3 and Pixel 3a, UI Changes for Older Pixels

The first-gen Google Pixel has also received a camera UI overhaul with the Google Camera v7.2 update.

By Nadeem Sarwar | Updated: 6 November 2019 14:49 IST

Google Camera v7.2 Update Brings Astrophotography Mode to Pixel 3 and Pixel 3a, UI Changes for Older Pixels

The top bar for RAW and flash controls has been removed in Google Camera app’s updated version

Highlights

Google Camera v7.2 adds Astrophotography mode for Pixel 3 and 3a
The updated build also brings a redesigned slider control on all Pixel
The settings option has been relocated to make it more accessible

Google recently revealed that some of the new camera features that arrived with the Pixel 4 such as the astrophotography feature in Night Sight will make their way to older Pixel phones too. Making good on its promise, Google has begun the rollout of a new update for the Google Camera app that adds the astrophotography mode to the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3XL, as well as the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. In addition to the Astrophotography mode, the Google Camera app v7.2 also brings a new camera UI that looks more like the one we saw on the Pixel 4 pair.

The Google Camera v7.2 update is now available to download via the Play Store. We can confirm that the updated build of Google Camera app is available for all older Pixel smartphones, which include the Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel, and Pixel XL. However, the new features and changes it brings varies from phone to phone. For example, the Pixel 4 and first-gen Pixel both now have identical zoom-exposure sliders, but only the Pixel 4's drop-down window offers RAW and motion control.

As for the astrophotography mode, it currently appears to be available only on the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3a pair, just as Google had promised earlier. The Pixel and Pixel 2 have officially not received support for astrophotography mode, but it is available with a Google Camera app mod created by senior XDA-Developers member cstark27. We've tried this Google Camera app mod and can confirm that Astrophotography mode works on the first-gen Pixel as well, but the output will obviously vary. You can download the Google Camera app v7.2 mod's APK here.

Google Camera app's UI has also received a makeover with v7.2. For example, the camera modes are now located at the bottom, while the shutter button, photo preview, and camera switcher buttons sit above in a line. The row at the top for timer, flash, and HDR controls has been removed, and in its place, a small drop-down arrow has been added. Tapping on the arrow button opens a small window where toggles for HDR, RAW, Motion, Timer, Flash and aspect ratio can be found.

The Settings button has been moved below the dropdown window for quicker access. Earlier, users had to visit the ‘More' section to open the Settings page. The Google Camera app's home screen now shows a dual slider scheme – the vertical slider is for adjusting exposure, while the horizontal one is for zoom control. It must be noted that this is not the dual exposure slider control feature that debuted on the Pixel 4, allowing users to adjust brightness and shadows. The dual exposure slider control and Live HDR won't come to older Pixels.

Google Pixel 3

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS
Variants

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Excellent build, comfortable to handle
Intuitive software features
Very good cameras
HDR capable display
Excellent stereo speakers

Bad
Expensive

Read detailed Google Pixel 3 review

Display 5.50-inch

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 845

Front Camera 8-megapixel + 8-megapixel

Rear Camera 12.2-megapixel

RAM 4GB

Storage 64GB

Battery Capacity 2915mAh

OS Android 9.0

Resolution 1080x2160 pixels

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Choose a variant

Google Pixel 3a

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Very good cameras
Good software features
Guaranteed updates for three years
Stereo speakers

Bad
Expensive
Weak processor and low storage for the price

Read detailed Google Pixel 3a review

Display 5.60-inch

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 670

Front Camera 8-megapixel

Rear Camera 12.2-megapixel

RAM 4GB

Storage 64GB

Battery Capacity 3000mAh

OS Android 9 Pie

Resolution 1080x2220 pixels

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