How To Install Google Camera with HDR+ on Flagship Snapdragon Smartphones

It is no secret that the Google Pixel still offers one of the best smartphones cameras on the market. The recently launched Pixel 2 takes things further and is being touted as the best smartphone camera for 2017 by DxOMark.

The overall performance of the camera depends on the hardware, but Google has equally powerful software. I am talking about the Google Camera app which has evolved over the years into a really solid camera app. Sadly it is only available on Nexus and Pixel devices but now thanks to a developer, a modified version of the app is now available for a bunch of new Android phones.

So if you own a Snapdragon 820, 821 or 835-based Android handsets chances are that this modded app might work and utilise the features, especially the HDR+. Some of the confirmed devices include the Samsung Galaxy S8, OnePlus 5 and LG G6.

If you are up for it, follow this guide to install the camera app.

The modified Google Camera app with version 4.4.012.156195200 has been made by a Ukrainian developer called B-S-G. It is said to be the same that featured on the third Android O Developer Preview released back in June. Basically, he managed to pull it out and modify the app so that it can work with any device that uses the Hexagon 680 ISP or above.

The app should bring in all the enhanced features that one may find on the Pixel smartphones. According to XDA, it should work on the above-mentioned devices although we tried on a OnePlus 5 and a Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 (both running on Snapdragon 835) only to be left with the app crashing every time we try to fire it up. However, on a second attempt, we did manage to run it on a OnePlus 5 unit. There is a visible difference between the standard HDR on the OnePlus camera app and the Google Camera app with deeper colours and better dynamic range.

If you are keen to try it out, you can grab the .APK file from here. Just copy it onto your phone's internal storage and run it. Make sure you have gone into Settings, Security and enabled Unknown sources under the Device Administration tab. Once installed, you should see it in your apps drawer. In case the app crashes, try removing it and install again, it should work. In case it doesn't then bad luck, your phone might not support it.

Source: How To Install Google Camera with HDR+ on Flagship Snapdragon Smartphones