Google’s Pixel Camera 9.4 was a staged Google Play rollout reported on June 17, 2024—not a new August 2026 Android update. Build 9.4.103.641377609.23 brought manual rear-lens selection to the Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel Fold, reorganized camera settings, and introduced HDR+ frame-selection improvements.
What Pixel Camera 9.4 changed
- Manual Lens Selection: Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel Fold owners can choose the physical rear camera instead of leaving every switch to Auto.
- New Pro tab: Lens Selection and the RAW/JPEG picker are grouped in a Pro settings tab.
- HDR+ Improved Frame Selection: The camera can use cues such as open eyes and smiling faces when choosing a base frame for its multi-frame merge.
- Video setting moved: “Store videos efficiently,” which records H.265/HEVC video, is easier to find in the main Video settings area.
The reported build was 9.4.103.641377609.23. Google distributed it through the Play Store in stages, so the date shown for one phone may differ from another. 9to5Google’s June 17, 2024 report documented the wider rollout.
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Which Pixel phones received manual lens selection?
The June rollout specifically reported Lens Selection for:
- Pixel 6 Pro
- Pixel 7 Pro
- Pixel Fold
The Pixel 8 Pro already offered comparable lens choice through its camera controls, so this update mainly extended direct lens access to other premium Pixel models. Availability can still vary with the phone model, software build and regional or carrier configuration. Google’s current Pixel Camera Help documentation describes manual lens selection only for supported devices.
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- Attention-grabbing design meets the latest evolution of the Google Pixel Camera on the new Google Pixel 11 Pro XL; Gemini Intelligence helps manage details so you can live in the moment[1]; and the phone is available in two sizes
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- Two new cameras for more brilliant photos: A larger telephoto sensor captures 30% more light for clear, beautiful photos and videos, even in the dark[3]; Pixel’s longest zoom ever helps you capture details from impressive distances[4]
How to turn on manual Lens Selection
- Open the Camera app.
- Tap the Settings gear in the lower-left corner, or swipe up from the viewfinder.
- Open the Pro tab.
- Tap Lens Selection.
- Change the setting from Auto to Manual.
- Return to the viewfinder and choose Ultra Wide, Wide or Telephoto, where those cameras are available.
Manual mode replaces the usual zoom pill with lens-specific controls. Pinch-to-zoom still works, but the camera is less likely to change the selected physical lens automatically.
What it does—and what it does not
Auto mode chooses among the ultrawide, main and telephoto cameras according to zoom level, light, focus distance and other conditions. Manual mode lets you deliberately pick one rear camera before shooting. It does not add focal lengths, turn digital zoom into optical zoom, or guarantee a better image. In dim light or at an unsuitable focusing distance, Auto may produce a better result.
Manual selection is most useful when you want a consistent perspective, need to prevent an unexpected lens switch, or are deliberately using the telephoto or ultrawide camera. Auto is generally preferable for fast-moving subjects, close subjects and quick low-light snapshots.
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- Google Pixel 10a is a durable, everyday phone with more[1]; snap brilliant photography on a simple, powerful camera, get 30+ hours out of a full charge[2], and do more with helpful AI like Gemini[3]
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Lens Selection is not the full Pixel 8 Pro Pro Controls system
The setting’s Pro label can be misleading. Pixel Camera 9.4 added lens choice and reorganized related settings; it did not give every supported phone the complete Pixel 8 Pro manual-photography interface.
| Capability | Lens Selection in Camera 9.4 | Pixel 8 Pro Pro Controls |
|---|---|---|
| Choose rear lens | Yes | Yes |
| Manual focus | Not generally implied by this update | Yes |
| Shutter speed | No | Yes |
| ISO | No | Yes |
| RAW/JPEG access | Picker moved into the Pro tab | Available through Pro settings |
Google explains the broader Pixel 8 Pro feature set in its official Pro Controls guide.
RAW and JPEG controls moved
Version 9.4 moved the RAW/JPEG picker from Settings > Advanced into the Pro tab. This is a workflow change, not a promise that RAW capture was added to phones that previously lacked it.
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- Get a head start on syncing your data before it even arrives: After you purchase your new Pixel, look for an email that explains how to transfer your photos, videos, passwords, and more in just a few quick steps[11]
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- Pixel 10 Pro is built with durable aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for scratch and drop resistance; the 6.3-inch Super Actua display with 3,300-nit peak brightness is easy on the eyes, even in direct sunlight[3,13,18]
- RAW: Larger files with more editing latitude in compatible software; they need a suitable viewer or editor and a storage-and-backup plan.
- JPEG: Smaller, immediately shareable files with less latitude for extensive editing.
RAW does not automatically look better. Its advantage appears when you intend to process the image yourself.
What HDR+ Improved Frame Selection means
HDR+ combines several frames into a final photograph. The reported improvement makes the base-frame choice more aware of subject cues, including whether people have their eyes open or are smiling. That is intended to reduce an unfortunate expression being selected for the merge, particularly in people photography.
This was described as part of the June Feature Drop and the Camera app rollout, with support extending to Pixel 6-generation devices and compatible Pixel products such as Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet. It is a computational selection improvement, not an independently measured guarantee of sharper or better-looking photos in every scene. Movement, lighting, focus and the phone’s supported camera pipeline still determine the result.
“Store videos efficiently”: smaller HEVC files, more compatibility choices
The Store videos efficiently preference moved from the Advanced area to the main Camera settings under Video. When enabled, the camera uses H.265/HEVC instead of H.264/AVC.
- Choose HEVC when storage savings matter and your phones, computers, editors and sharing services support H.265.
- Choose H.264 when you regularly send clips to older devices, use older editing software, or need the broadest upload compatibility.
HEVC reduces file size but is not universally supported as widely as H.264.
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- Open the Google Play Store.
- Tap your profile icon.
- Select Manage apps & device.
- Check for available updates.
- Install the Pixel Camera update if version 9.4 is offered.
Because Google used a staged rollout, the update may not appear immediately. The Play Store is the normal and safest distribution path; sideloading an APK can create compatibility, signature, security or rollback problems and is not necessary for most users.
Best Value
- Google Pixel 10 is the everyday phone unlike anything else; it has Google Tensor G5, Pixel’s most powerful chip, an incredible camera, and advanced AI - Gemini built in[1]
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- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan[2]; it works - Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
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If the Pro tab or Lens Selection is missing
Several explanations are possible: the rollout has not reached your account, your model is unsupported, a regional or carrier build differs, a related Feature Drop component is still pending, or the app update is present but the relevant system component has not activated. You may also be looking for Pixel 8 Pro-only focus, shutter or ISO controls rather than the separate Lens Selection feature.
- Check the Camera app’s installed version in the Play Store or Android app information.
- Restart the phone and reopen Camera settings.
- Install any available Android or Pixel system updates.
- Check again later while the staged rollout completes.
- Contact Google Pixel support if a supported phone still lacks the feature after the rollout period.
Avoid clearing Camera storage unless necessary: doing so can reset preferences or remove locally stored camera settings.
Bottom line
Pixel Camera 9.4 was a June 2024 app update, not a new Android release. Its most tangible benefit was giving Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel Fold owners direct rear-lens choice, while the Pro-tab reorganization, smarter HDR+ frame selection and easier HEVC setting access improved the camera workflow. It did not turn those phones into Pixel 8 Pro-style fully manual cameras.
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