How to Shoot HDR Photos With an Android Go Phone

Earlier this year, Google launched Camera Go, a stripped-down version of its Camera app for Android Go devices. Android Go phones are entry-level devices with weaker hardware but aggressively affordable prices — usually below $US100 ($132). Camera Go lacked most of the Android Camera app’s best features at launch, but select devices can now use premium shooting modes like Portrait Mode, Night Mode, and, soon, HDR.

HDR expands the range of contrast and colour in your photos, and could potentially even boost the more modest photography you’ll be doing on an Android Go device. However, you’ll have to wait a little bit to get your hands on the feature — if your device is even compatible.

Camera Go keeps getting better. We’re bringing HDR to more #Android devices, allowing you to capture photos with crisper details and richer color at any time of day. pic.twitter.com/mk8uByB6bK

— Android (@Android) December 17, 2020

HDR is part of Camera Go’s upcoming December app update, set to roll out to all Android Go devices in the coming days. But like Camera Go’s Night Mode and Portrait mode, HDR only works on some Android Go devices.

We haven’t found a full list of HDR-compatible Android Go phones, but Android Central specifically mentions the Nokia 1.3, Wiko Y61, and Wiko Y81. Other devices that support Camera Go’s Portrait and Night Modes have a strong chance of getting HDR, too — though it’s ultimately up to the manufacturer and your device’s hardware.

[referenced id=”1040570″ url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2020/12/when-to-use-hdr-mode-when-taking-photos/” thumb=”https://www.gizmodo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/12/18/sir1cx139vtetspxzh3u-300×169.jpg” title=”When to Use HDR Mode When Taking Photos” excerpt=”HDR — or High Dynamic Range imaging — has been a common feature on both iPhone and Android for a while now, and it can definitely help you take better-looking photos. But is it always the best option?”]

It’ll be easy to tell if your device can use HDR once the new patch arrives: Open Camera Go, and then look for a new “HDR” option from the menu of shooting modes. If it’s there, tap to toggle it on and enjoy its detail-boosting effects.

The incoming update should install automatically if you already have Camera Go on your device, or you can install it from Google Play once it’s available. The app’s Play Store page is only accessible through an Android Go device, but you can also sideload Camera Go by downloading it from a trusted third-party source like APK Mirror if you need a secondary installation method.