Categories: Technology

Pixel Camera 10.0 rolls out expressive Material 3 overhaul

After debuting on the Pixel 10 (version 10.0), Google is rolling out the Pixel Camera 10.1 update to older devices with a handful of Material 3 Expressive tweaks.

On the viewfinder, the capture button is now a solid circle with a transparent ring. The two buttons surrounding it are now rounded squares, with the preview of your latest image benefiting from a new animation reminiscent of a photo booth.

Google reduced the number of themed icons with Dynamic Color. Font size has been changed throughout the UI, including zoom shortcuts.

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Inactive controls in “Photo Settings” are also now rounded squares, while what is selected is placed in a circle. The top “General” and “Pro” tabs get similar treatment. The “More Settings” button at the bottom has been moved to the upper right corner of the sheet with an ellipsis icon. This reduces the height of the panel for better one-handed accessibility.

The “Camera Settings” page uses Material 3 Expressive containers to group related preferences and the latest toggle style. This list depends on the device, but on a Pixel 8 Pro you have:

General: Save location, Camera sounds, Device storage, Camera scan suggestions
Composition: Framing tips, Grid type, Keep selfies as seen, Guided frame
Quick access: Quick access controls, Volume key action, Palm timer
Photo: Rich colors in photos, Ultra HDR, social media depth features, frequent faces, astrophotography, RAW/JPEG control
Video: Video stabilization, Audio zoom, Efficient video storage, FPS optimization*
Advanced capture: timer light, show dirty lens warning, (Pixel 9+: underwater photography and video)
Help and feedback: Send feedback, Help

*Optimize FPS — “Automatically adjust from 60 FPS to 30 FPS to optimize the recording experience when needed” — is new to the Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 9 after its debut on the Pixel 10.

Google removed the “Advanced” menu and redistributed items so that there was only one main settings list, with the groupings making thematic sense.

Pixel Camera 10.1 is now slowly rolling out via the Play Store. (We got it on a Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 8 Pro.) You can also sideload it, but be aware that it’s a 1.47GB download.

M3 Expressive

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