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Pixel 2’s ‘Portrait Mode’ is now unofficially available to non-Google phones

Pixel 2’s ‘Portrait Mode’ is now unofficially available to non-Google phones

When Google introduced the Pixel 2, there was one special feature that really made the smartphone standout: background-blurring Portrait mode. While this tech was exclusive to Google’s flagship phone, it might be for long.

Members of CDA Developers community managed to get Portrait Mode working on other devices, ranging from the original Pixel to non-Google devices running Android Oreo. XDA Senior Member Charles_I, known for previous work on Google Camera mods, was the first to port Portrait Mode software, and got it to work on the Pixel and Pixel XL, as well as the Nexus 5X and 6P via a custom app.

From there, XDA Senior Member Arnova8G2 adjusted the app to work on a broader range of non-Google devices. Users then reported the functionality working on Xiaimo, OnePlus and Moto G5s Plus phones. Porting this tech over to other smartphones with higher-caliber cameras could be a big game changer.

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