Android 16 Camera Upgrades: Hybrid AE, Night Mode & UltraHDR

Introduction

Android 16, the latest 2025 operating system, brings exciting new camera features that take mobile photography to the next level. With smarter controls and improved image processing, this update changes how photos and videos are captured on smartphones. Whether it’s adjusting exposure with more precision, enhancing colors for realistic tones, or detecting night scenes automatically, these features aim to make photography smoother and more professional.

Imagine capturing moments with better clarity in low light, adjusting color tones exactly as you want, or taking motion photos that feel more lifelike. These improvements aren’t just about better pictures—they also give developers new tools to build advanced camera apps. But how do these features work? What makes them different from previous versions?

With each upgrade, Android 16 makes it easier to get high-quality results, whether you’re a casual user or a professional photographer. The technology behind these features is designed to be smart and efficient, offering more control while still keeping things simple. In this article, we’ll break down these enhancements and see how they improve the camera experience for everyone.

Overview of Android 16 Camera Enhancements

Android 16 brings major improvements to smartphone cameras, making it easier to capture high-quality photos and videos. This update introduces hybrid auto-exposure, precise color adjustments, night mode detection, motion photo intents, and UltraHDR HEIC support, all designed to enhance the photography experience.

With hybrid auto-exposure, users can adjust brightness more flexibly by controlling ISO or exposure time while still using auto-exposure for the best results. Precise color adjustments improve white balance, allowing for more natural and realistic tones in photos. Night mode detection helps the camera automatically recognize low-light conditions and adjust settings for clearer and brighter images.

For capturing movement, motion photo intents make it possible to save both a still image and a short video in one shot. Finally, UltraHDR HEIC support enhances image quality with better contrast and detail while keeping file sizes efficient.

• Hybrid Auto-Exposure (AE): Allows better control over ISO and exposure settings.
• Precise Color Adjustments: Offers more accurate color temperature and tint corrections.
• Night Mode Detection: Automatically detects low-light conditions and optimizes settings.
• Motion Photo Intents: Enables the capture of dynamic motion images seamlessly.
• UltraHDR HEIC Support: Improves HDR quality while maintaining efficient storage formats.

These upgrades enhance both manual and automated camera functionalities, giving users greater flexibility while ensuring high-quality image processing.

What is Hybrid Auto-Exposure?

Hybrid Auto-Exposure in Android 16 is a new camera feature that allows developers to balance manual and automatic exposure settings. Unlike traditional exposure controls, where users must choose between full manual mode or complete auto-exposure, hybrid AE enables partial manual adjustments while still benefiting from Android’s automatic algorithms. This provides more flexibility for both casual users and professional photographers.

How It Works:

Android 16 introduces new AE priority modes in the Camera2 API, allowing developers to set either ISO priority or shutter speed priority while letting the system handle the rest. This ensures that images are properly exposed, even in changing lighting conditions.

Example Code for ISO Priority Mode:

fun setISOPriority() {
    val availablePriorityModes = mStaticInfo.characteristics.get(
        CameraCharacteristics.CONTROL_AE_AVAILABLE_PRIORITY_MODES
    )

    reqBuilder.set(
        CaptureRequest.CONTROL_AE_MODE,
        CameraMetadata.CONTROL_AE_MODE_ON
    )
    reqBuilder.set(
        CaptureRequest.CONTROL_AE_PRIORITY_MODE,
        CameraMetadata.CONTROL_AE_PRIORITY_MODE_SENSOR_SENSITIVITY_PRIORITY
    )
    reqBuilder.set(
        CaptureRequest.SENSOR_SENSITIVITY,
        800 // Example ISO value
    )
    val request: CaptureRequest = reqBuilder.build()
}

Improvements for Developers:

• More Control – Developers can fine-tune exposure settings while still using auto-adjustments.
• Better Low-Light Performance – ISO priority helps maintain image brightness without overexposing highlights.
• Optimized for Motion – Shutter speed priority reduces blur when capturing fast-moving subjects.

Hybrid Auto-Exposure in Android 16 makes it easier to balance creative control with smart automation, improving photography for both users and developers.

How Hybrid AE Improves Exposure Control

With hybrid AE, users can:

• Adjust ISO sensitivity while keeping automatic exposure compensation active.
• Set manual exposure time while the AE algorithm optimizes other settings.
• Achieve better control in low-light and high-contrast scenes.

This feature provides a middle ground between full manual mode and standard AE, making it easier to capture well-exposed shots in a variety of lighting conditions.

What Are Precise Color Adjustments in Android 16?

Precise Color Adjustments in Android 16 give developers more control over white balance and color accuracy, ensuring that images appear more natural and true to life. Unlike previous Android versions that relied on preset white balance modes (like daylight or incandescent), Android 16 introduces manual color temperature and tint adjustments using the Camera2 API. This allows fine-tuning of color tones for professional-quality photography and videography.

How It Works:

Android 16 introduces COLOR_CORRECTION_MODE_CCT, which enables direct adjustments to color temperature and tint. Instead of relying on automatic white balance (AWB), developers can now manually define the desired color temperature (measured in Kelvin) and tint levels for more precise color grading.

Example Code for Setting Color Temperature and Tint:

fun setCCT() {
    val colorTemperatureRange: Range<Int>? =
        mStaticInfo.characteristics[CameraCharacteristics.COLOR_CORRECTION_COLOR_TEMPERATURE_RANGE]

    reqBuilder[CaptureRequest.CONTROL_AWB_MODE] = CameraMetadata.CONTROL_AWB_MODE_OFF
    reqBuilder[CaptureRequest.COLOR_CORRECTION_MODE] = CameraMetadata.COLOR_CORRECTION_MODE_CCT
    reqBuilder[CaptureRequest.COLOR_CORRECTION_COLOR_TEMPERATURE] = 5000 // Neutral daylight
    reqBuilder[CaptureRequest.COLOR_CORRECTION_COLOR_TINT] = 30 // Slightly warmer tone

    val request: CaptureRequest = reqBuilder.build()
}

Benefits for Developers:

• More Accurate White Balance – Avoids the limitations of preset AWB modes by allowing custom color tuning.
• Better Color Consistency – Ensures uniform color tones across multiple shots in different lighting conditions.
• Enhanced Video Recording – Ideal for professional videographers who need precise color grading.

With Precise Color Adjustments in Android 16, developers can achieve greater control over image processing, making it easier to capture lifelike and visually stunning photos and videos.

What is Night Mode Detection?

Feature Overview: Android 16 introduces Night Mode Detection, allowing the camera to automatically recognize low-light environments and adjust settings for better clarity and brightness. This helps users capture sharper and more detailed images in dark conditions without manually switching to night mode.

How It Works: The EXTENSION_NIGHT_MODE_INDICATOR is available in the CaptureResult within Camera2 API. When enabled, it detects low-light scenes and optimizes settings like exposure time, ISO, and noise reduction.

Example Code for Night Mode Detection:

val nightModeIndicator = captureResult.get(
    CameraCharacteristics.EXTENSION_NIGHT_MODE_INDICATOR
)
if (nightModeIndicator == true) {
    // Adjust settings for better low-light capture
}

Benefits for Developers:

• Automatic Low-Light Detection: No need for manual night mode switching.
• Better Image Quality: Reduces noise and enhances details in dark areas.
• Seamless User Experience: Integrates with Camera2 API for smooth functionality.

With Night Mode Detection, Android 16 makes low-light photography more intelligent and effortless.

Algorithms Behind Night Mode Detection:

The night mode algorithm utilizes AI-based scene recognition and multi-frame image processing to reduce noise and enhance details. Developers can integrate this feature to improve in-app camera quality, making low-light photography easier for users.

What Are Motion Photo Intents?

Motion Photo Intents in Android 16 allow users to capture both a still image and a short video in a single shot. This feature makes photos more dynamic by preserving a brief moment of movement before and after the main image. It’s especially useful for capturing emotions, reactions, and action shots, making photos feel more immersive and lifelike.

In previous Android versions, motion photos were only available in specific camera apps. With Android 16, standardized Intent actions make it easier for developers to integrate motion photo capture into their own applications. The update introduces two key Intent actions:

• ACTION_MOTION_PHOTO_CAPTURE – Captures a motion photo with standard settings.
• ACTION_MOTION_PHOTO_CAPTURE_SECURE – Captures a motion photo in secure mode for apps that require extra privacy.

To store the captured motion photo, developers can either specify an EXTRA_OUTPUT location or pass a Uri using Intent.setClipData(). If no output location is set, the system automatically saves the file to the default storage.

Example Code for Capturing a Motion Photo

val intent = Intent(MediaStore.ACTION_MOTION_PHOTO_CAPTURE).apply {
    putExtra(MediaStore.EXTRA_OUTPUT, photoUri)
}
startActivity(intent)

Benefits for Developers

• Easy Integration: Developers can use built-in Intent actions without complex implementation.
• Enhanced User Experience: Users can capture memories with movement effortlessly.
• Better Social Sharing: Motion photos are compatible with various platforms, making them easier to share.

With Motion Photo Intents, Android 16 brings an engaging way to capture and relive moments with motion, making photography more interactive and expressive.

What is UltraHDR Technology?

UltraHDR Technology in Android 16 enhances image quality by improving brightness, contrast, and color depth while keeping file sizes manageable. This allows photos to look more vibrant and lifelike, even in challenging lighting conditions. UltraHDR in HEIC format ensures high-quality HDR images are efficiently stored without excessive file sizes.

The key improvement in Android 16 is support for UltraHDR in the HEIC format, which enhances HDR images using an embedded gainmap. A gainmap stores brightness and contrast adjustments, helping HDR images maintain detail across different display types. Previously, UltraHDR was limited to JPEG, but HEIC support now offers better compression and quality retention.

Another major advancement is compliance with ISO 21496-1, a draft standard that improves HDR processing accuracy. Android 16 also introduces HDR-encoded base images with SDR gainmaps, ensuring that HDR images look good even on SDR screens.

Example Code for Capturing UltraHDR Photos

reqBuilder[CaptureRequest.JPEG_HDR_MODE] = CameraMetadata.JPEG_HDR_MODE_ULTRA_HDR
val request: CaptureRequest = reqBuilder.build()

Benefits for Developers

• Higher Image Quality: HDR images have better contrast, detail, and brightness.
• Efficient Storage: HEIC format reduces file sizes without sacrificing image quality.
• Optimized for HDR Displays: UltraHDR images look great on high-dynamic-range screens while remaining compatible with standard displays.

With UltraHDR Technology, Android 16 ensures that smartphone photography reaches new levels of quality, providing users with clearer, more vibrant images while keeping storage efficient.

How Android 16 Camera Upgrades Benefit Photographers

The latest Android operating system update brings big improvements to smartphone cameras, making it easier to take high-quality pictures in any lighting condition. Whether you enjoy casual photography or need advanced settings for professional use, the new features help improve exposure, color accuracy, low-light performance, motion capture, and HDR imaging. These upgrades ensure that every photo looks clearer, more natural, and more detailed.

Better Exposure Control for Perfect Lighting

Getting the right brightness in a photo can be tricky, especially when lighting conditions change quickly. Hybrid auto-exposure in Android 16 allows users to adjust ISO and shutter speed while still using automatic settings to balance the rest. This means you can fine-tune how much light enters the camera without worrying about overexposure or dark shadows.

For example, in bright daylight, lowering the ISO prevents the image from looking too white, while in darker settings, increasing the sensitivity helps capture more details. This is useful for taking sharp, clear pictures without complicated manual adjustments.

More Accurate Colors with Advanced Adjustments

Photos often look unnatural when the colors are not balanced correctly. With precise color adjustments, users can now manually control color temperature and tint for more natural-looking images. Unlike older white balance modes that had only a few preset options, this feature allows for fine-tuning colors to match real-life conditions.

This is especially useful for portraits, landscapes, and video recording, where true-to-life colors matter. Whether you want warmer skin tones in a portrait or cooler shades in a snowy landscape, these settings help achieve the perfect balance.

Improved Night Mode for Low-Light Photos

Taking pictures in the dark is now easier with night mode detection. Instead of having to switch to night mode manually, the camera automatically detects low-light conditions and applies the best settings for a brighter and clearer image.

This means that if you are taking photos at night, indoors, or in dim lighting, the camera will adjust exposure and reduce noise to bring out more details. Whether it’s a night cityscape, a candle-lit dinner, or an evening selfie, your images will look sharp and well-lit without extra effort.

Capture Movement with Motion Photo Intents

Sometimes, a single picture isn’t enough to capture an exciting moment. Motion photo capture allows the camera to record a short video before and after taking a photo, making it easy to relive the moment. This feature is great for capturing sports, kids playing, and special events, where movement adds more life to the shot.

Additionally, motion photos can be saved and shared easily, making them a fun and useful way to keep memories alive.

Higher-Quality HDR Photos with UltraHDR HEIC Format

The new UltraHDR feature in HEIC format improves image quality while reducing file size. HDR helps bring out more detail in bright and dark areas, making photos look more vivid and balanced. The HEIC format ensures that high-quality images don’t take up too much storage space.

This means that users can capture and store professional-level photos without worrying about running out of storage. The added support for HDR in more formats also makes these images look better on newer screens.

The latest Android OS update introduces powerful camera upgrades that help photographers capture sharper, more vibrant, and well-lit photos in any situation. Whether adjusting exposure, fine-tuning colors, improving night shots, capturing motion, or taking high-quality HDR images, these features make mobile photography easier and more enjoyable.

Comparing Android 16 Camera Features with Previous Versions

Android 16 brings new improvements to the way smartphone cameras work. It makes capturing photos easier, more accurate, and better suited for different lighting conditions. Compared to older versions, it offers better control over exposure, color adjustments, night mode, motion photos, and HDR quality. Below is a simple comparison of how these features have improved.

Feature Comparison:

Feature	Android 14	Android 15	Android 16
Exposure Control	Only auto or full manual	Some manual tuning	Mix of auto and manual for better balance
Color Adjustments	Limited white balance modes	Basic adjustments	More detailed color and tint settings
Night Mode	Manual switch required	AI-assisted night shots	Auto-detects low light for better photos
Motion Photos	No official support	Some phone brands added it	Standardized feature for all devices
HDR Support	Basic HDR in JPEG	Improved HDR processing	Better HDR with smaller file sizes (HEIC format)
Developer Options	Limited camera settings	Some exposure control	More tools for fine-tuning camera settings

What These Changes Mean

• Easier Exposure Adjustments – Users can now adjust brightness while keeping automatic settings for balance.
• Better Color Accuracy – More control over temperature and tint makes colors look natural.
• Improved Night Photography – The camera knows when it’s dark and switches settings automatically.
• Motion Photo Support – Capturing short videos along with photos is now built into the system.
• More Efficient HDR Photos – Higher-quality images take up less space without losing detail.

These updates help both everyday users and app developers. Photos will look better in all conditions, and developers have more tools to create high-quality camera apps. Whether taking pictures in bright light, at night, or capturing movement, these changes make mobile photography more reliable and easy to use.

Conclusion

Android 16 is currently in its beta testing phase, allowing developers and early adopters to experience its latest advancements before the full release. With improvements in hybrid auto-exposure, color temperature tuning, night mode detection, motion photo support, and UltraHDR enhancements, this version refines how images and videos are captured. The addition of new intent actions and extended API support makes it easier for apps to take advantage of these capabilities.

Once the operating system is officially released, users will be able to enjoy enhanced image processing, better low-light performance, and more efficient HDR formats. Developers will also gain access to new camera controls, allowing for greater customization in photography applications. These refinements mark a step forward in making mobile imaging more precise, dynamic, and user-friendly.