Google Enables Pixel Visual Core on Pixel 2 for All Apps Through February Update

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Published 5 Feb 2018

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pixel2xl cam

A month after Google first unveiled the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, it revealed that the handsets shipped with the Pixel Visual Core — a custom chip developed entirely by Google and Intel that could be used by third-party camera apps for HDR+ processing. Google activated the core with the Android 8.1 Oreo update for third-party developers, and now with the February update, it is enabling the chip for all third-party Android apps.

Post the February security update, the Pixel Visual Core inside the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will be available for all third-party apps. This will allow them to capture photos with more details and better color accuracy which they miss out on without the HDR+ processing. Google says that the improvements will benefit users of Instagram, WhatsApp, and Snapchat the most, and rightfully so since these are the apps that people use outside of the main camera to click and share pictures with their loved ones.

Going by the sample images uploaded by Google, the difference in image quality thanks to the Pixel Visual Core being activated is pretty dramatic.

Since Pixel Visual Core has been optimized by Google for HDR+ processing, it consumes very little power while doing so. Even better, there is zero shutter lag and thanks to RAISR, even zoomed-in images will have more details and look sharper than before.

Google is rolling out this update over the next few days as a part of the February monthly update for the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. The company will also be adding new winter sports-themed AR stickers to the Pixel 2’s camera app later this week.

[Via Google]