The photography enthusiasts among us know the frustration of missing out on certain camera features when using third-party apps like Instagram, TikTok or Snapchat on Android. Now, in a significant leap forward for photogenic Android users, OnePlus has unveiled its latest flagship device, the OnePlus 12, marking the company’s inaugural foray into supporting Camera2 and CameraX vendor extensions, Android expert Mishaal Rahman said on X. This move opens up a realm of possibilities for third-party applications seeking to harness advanced camera features like Bokeh and Night Sight traditionally confined to stock camera apps.
For the uninitiated, Camera2 and CameraX extensions on OnePlus 12 unlocks the doors to OEM-specific camera features for third-party app developers. Previously, these goodies were locked away in the proprietary gardens of the stock camera app. Think of it like having backstage passes to a concert – you can now experience the full potential of your phone’s camera sensors and processing power, even outside the stock app’s limitations.
The possibilities are exciting! Imagine unleashing your creativity with apps like TikTok or Instagram, but with access to OnePlus 12’s nifty Bokeh mode or their AI-powered Night Sight enhancements. No more settling for watered-down versions of these features just because you’re inside a different app. This means you don’t have to exit Instagram in order to capture a great selfie at night to share with your followers. With support for these extensions, OnePlus 12 users should be able to get the perfect shot using the in-app camera. As per the screenshots shared on X, the OnePlus 12’s rear camera will grant third-party apps access to Bokeh and Night Sight while the front camera will let users access the phone’s Night Sight photography when inside these apps.
While Samsung has long been a champion of vendor extensions, OnePlus’s adoption is a major win for the Android ecosystem as a whole. It sends a clear message that OEMs are finally recognizing the value of empowering developers and giving users more control over their camera experience. Google Pixel phones already support Camera2 API for Night Sight in apps like Snapchat, so it’s great that more vendors are joining the party.
Hopefully, this is just the beginning. With OnePlus stepping up, we can expect to see more manufacturers follow suit. As support for Camera2 and CameraX vendor extensions become the norm, Android users will have a smorgasbord of choices when it comes to capturing those perfect shots. No longer will we be confined to the walled gardens of stock camera apps. The future of Android photography is looking bright, and OnePlus has just turned up the brightness a notch.
Meanwhile, OnePlus is also planning a Wear OS-powered Pixel Watch 2 competitor that will be unveiled next month. You can read more about it in this article.
Hillary Keverenge
2107 Posts
Tech has been my playground for over a decade. While the Android journey began early, it truly took flight with the revolutionary Lollipop update. Since then, it's been a parade of Android devices (with a sprinkle of iOS), culminating in a mostly happy marriage with Google's smart home ecosystem. Expect insightful articles and explorations of the ever-evolving world of Android and Google products coupled with occasional rants on the Nest smart home ecosystem.
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