Android’s Ultra HDR will work on third-party camera apps

Google is working to expand Android’s Ultra HDR support to third-party camera apps. It will significantly improve the user experience as they can directly capture images from a social media app or a third-party camera app.

With Android 14, Google debuted Ultra HDR camera technology. It’s a new Google-made image format that is based on JPEG. The JPEG helps the device capture both SDR and HDR versions of the scene and display it according to the device’s hardware.

At present, many third-party apps with built-in camera support can’t capture photos in Ultra HDR. It’s going to be changed soon. It’s expected that the Camera2 API powering the feature could be used by apps that want to deploy Ultra HDR functionality.

As the image is based on JPEG format, it can be viewed in any handset. If your device has compatible hardware (display), you will notice more vibrant and contrasty colors. However, devices that lack hardware will display the same image but in its SDR format.

JPEG file keeps an HDR gain map in its metadata, making it possible to extend Ultra HDR support. Third-party app developers can make changes so the app’s native camera can apply an HDR gain map over the base SDR version of the image which is already contained in the file.

Apps crafted using Camera2API will benefit first from Ultra HDR support. Meanwhile, CameraX API-based applications will have to wait for Google to bring that functionality over. Regarding this, the company has already made an announcement but an official release is yet to come.

Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series, Pixel 8, and Pixel 7 series are some of the devices that screen Ultra HDR images in their full glory. These smartphones are set to receive many fruitful enhancements through the CameraX platform upgrade to support Ultra HDR format.