The classic camera feature returns with the Google Pixel 8 Pro

In 2020, Google removed the ability to capture astrophotography using the ultra-wide camera on the Pixel 4a (5G) and Pixel 5. Google faced criticism from Pixel users regarding the quality of these shots. However, the tech giant did not offer an explanation for discontinuing this camera feature. With the Pixel 8 Pro, the capability to capture ultra-wide astrophotography photos has been reintroduced. According to a report by PhoneArena, this feature might be exclusive to the Pro variant and may not be extended to the standard Pixel 8 and older models.

What is astrophotography, and how does it operate on the Pixel 8 Pro?

By employing astrophotography, Pixel 8 Pro users can take pictures of the night sky by pointing their phone’s rear camera upward while ensuring complete stability, whether using a tripod or another method. Activating this feature allows for the capture of stunning photographs of the nocturnal celestial panorama.

The Pixel 8 Pro’s ultra-wide camera utilizes 4:1 pixel binning, combining data from four adjacent pixels into a single larger pixel. This improvement enhances the quality of low-light images while simultaneously reducing noise.

The Pixel 8 Pro will offer the option to capture night sky photos at 1x (standard), 2x, and 0.5x (ultra-wide). The company has also updated its Google Camera support page, stating, “Important: On Pixel 4a (5G) and later, astrophotography only functions on zoom settings equal to or greater than 1x.”

The capability may be exclusive to the Pixel 8 Pro, potentially due to the pixel-binning 48MP ultra-wide image sensor present in the pricier model. In contrast, the standard Pixel 8 features a 12MP ultra-image sensor. Additionally, since the ultra-wide shoots at 0.5x, which is lower than 1x, it suggests that ultra-wide astrophotography might be limited to the Pixel 8 Pro.

According to the report, Google may have chosen to introduce the feature solely to the Pixel 8 Pro to encourage users to opt for the pricier model. Similar to the Pixel 8, both the Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 6 Pro have a 12MP ultra-wide sensor. This consistency in the ultra-wide sensor’s specifications suggests that astrophotography may not be retroactively compatible. Therefore, this feature may be reserved for the new Pro model each year moving forward.