Google revealed to be bringing Pixel 9 camera features to older Pixel smartphones in new leak

Android Authority has discovered evidence that points towards Google bringing multiple new camera features to its older flagships. As it stands, the company currently distributes three versions of the Google Photos app. On the one hand, it has created one for non-Pixel devices. On the other hand, it offers one for the Pixel 9 (curr. $799 on Amazon) and its Pro peers, plus a second for all its Pixel devices running Tensor chipsets.

While Google may continue with this app fragmentation for a while yet, at least two AI features will soon be made available to Pixel 6, Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 series smartphones that were previously restricted to the Pixel 9 siblings. Although Google has not confirmed this yet, the website has found references to support being added in v6.99 of the Google Photos app.

Specifically, it seems that 'Auto Frame' and 'Reimagine' will soon grace the Pixel 6 onwards, the uses of which Google explains in the video below. In short, while the former can essentially convert a photo from landscape to portrait, the latter can completely rework a still with an entirely new background swapped in. Unfortunately, it remains to be seen when Google will start shipping these features to older Pixel devices; we imagine that it will do so via a future Feature Drop, though.