Get Google Camera with HDR+ On Android Phone

The Google Pixel camera is one of the best cameras when it comes to Android phone cameras. But it’s not the hardware alone that matters in a camera. The software also plays an equally important role. And one of the best software features of the Google Pixel was its HDR+ mode.

The HDR+ mode is really helpful for those who aren’t proficient with manual camera modes since this feature allows them to cross over to this area easily. However, till now, the HDR+ mode has been strictly a Pixel-exclusive feature.

The good news is, now this mode can be easily ported to any of the Android flagships, particularly the OnePlus 3/3T, OnePlus 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S8.

How to Get HDR+?

HDR+ is essentially an image-processing technique exclusive only to Google Pixel phones. However, an Ukranian developer who is known by the initials B-S-G, has modified Google’s camera app to bring this functionality to the other Android phones.

Since every software tweak needs an equal push from the hardware end, in this case, it’s in the form of the processor.

The modified HDR+ feature would work on any Android phone which is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, Snapdragon 821, or the Snapdragon 835.

So, if your phone does come bundled with one of the above processors, all you have to do is download the APK file and install it on your phone. And before you know it, the camera would be supercharged with Google’s HDR+ technology.

Get the APK file here

Is the APK File Safe?

The good people at the popular forum, XDA developers have independently verified the APK file and have confirmed it to be safe.

Devices Supported

As per the tests, the HDR+ feature will be supported in the following smartphones,

• Samsung Galaxy S8
• OnePlus 5
• OnePlus 3T
• OnePlus 3
• LG G6

We, at Guiding Tech, have ported it to the OnePlus 3/3T and OnePlus 5 and can confirm that it’s working as expected.

Additional Features

Apart from the highlighted HDR+ feature, the modified camera app also comes with extra features like Lens Blur, Photo Sphere, Slow Motion and the option to turn on/off grid lines.

So, if you don’t have Bokeh in your Android flagship, you can easily make it up with the Lens Blur feature. All you have to do is focus on the subject, click the shutter button and gently move the camera in the upward direction.

Similarly, the Photo Sphere feature will let you take 360-degree photos easily. This mode includes a step by step guide, where you need to place the circle inside the given sphere.

Photos Comparision

The Google’s HDR+ feature produces pictures which are bright, vivid with every minute detail beautifully captured. Take the following pictures for comparison.

As you can see, everything from the cloth texture to the balcony railings has been captured and the color beautifully reproduced. Plus, the Yellow hue, seen typically on OnePlus 5 pictures, has also been removed in pictures captured using the HDR+ camera.

That’s a Wrap!

So, that was how you can get Google Camera with HDR+ on your Android flagship phones. Given our tests, it works flawlessly and the results are absolutely stunning to look at.

So, if you do own one of the supported phones, do try and let us know your experience.

See Next: How to Get OnePlus 5 Like Reading Mode on Any Android Phone