Google continues to enhance the photography capabilities of its Pixel smartphones with regular software updates. The latest Pixel Camera 9.8 update has started rolling out alongside the March 2025 Feature Drop, bringing several refinements and new functionalities to Pixel device owners.
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| The latest Pixel Camera update enhances photography capabilities on Google smartphones, as seen in this image with a vibrant landscape captured on the camera interface |
What's New in Pixel Camera 9.8
The latest update to Google's camera software brings several quality-of-life improvements and feature enhancements. While smaller in scope compared to the December 2024 update that introduced Quick Access Controls, Pixel Camera 9.8 still delivers meaningful changes. One notable addition is a new toggle for Astrophotography Animation, allowing users to disable animations for astrophotography shots if desired. This option can be found under Settings > Advanced and remains enabled by default to maintain consistency with previous behavior. The update also clarifies that the Palm Timer gesture works with both front and rear cameras, expanding its functionality beyond what many users may have realized.
Pixel Fold Enhancements
Owners of Google's foldable devices receive special attention in this update. The Pixel Fold line now benefits from Dual Screen Preview for video recording, enabling users to utilize both the internal and external displays simultaneously while capturing video. This feature should significantly improve the video recording experience on foldable devices by providing better framing options. Additionally, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold gains support for the Add Me feature, which uses artificial intelligence to insert people into group photos. This functionality now appears on the external display to help with improved composition and framing.
Connected Cameras Feature
Perhaps the most significant addition in the March 2025 Feature Drop is the introduction of Connected Cameras, currently exclusive to the Pixel 9 series (including the base Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold). This innovative feature allows users to seamlessly capture footage or live stream using remote cameras from supported applications. The current compatibility list includes Pixel 6 and newer devices, as well as GoPro Hero 10 and more recent models, provided they're running the latest software. Popular apps supporting this functionality include YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok.
Setting Up Connected Cameras
Getting started with Connected Cameras is straightforward. Pixel 9 owners can access this feature by navigating to Settings > Connected Devices > Connected Preferences > Connected Cameras. Once configured, the Camera Picker interface allows for easy switching between the phone's built-in camera and a connected remote camera. However, there are some limitations to be aware of: users can only connect to devices signed in with their Google Account, only one remote camera can be connected at a time, and audio is captured from the active camera, which may affect sound quality depending on the device's microphone capabilities.
Availability and Distribution
Pixel Camera 9.8 is currently rolling out through the Google Play Store, though as with most staged releases, it may take some time to appear for all eligible devices. This update continues Google's tradition of enhancing camera capabilities through software improvements, building upon previous updates that introduced features like underwater mode, easier astrophotography access, and vertical panoramas. The combination of the March Feature Drop and Camera 9.8 update demonstrates Google's ongoing commitment to improving the photography and videography experience on Pixel devices through regular software enhancements.