Enhancing Camera and Image Processing Capabilities with Android 16 Beta 2: Introducing New Features and APIs

Google has released Android 16 Beta 2 with new features related to camera API and image processing.

The Camera2 system adds a hybrid auto-exposure feature, allowing apps partial control over exposure, while algorithms handle the rest through auto-exposure (AE) control like ISO+AE, exposure time+AE, etc. This strikes a balance between full manual and full auto control options from the past.

For video capture, there are precise color temperature and tint adjustment controls available now, offering more detailed adjustments compared to before. Additionally, the new API enables camera motion photo capture and supports UltraHDR images in HEIC format.

The update introduces API for applying filters to images, such as RuntimeColorFilter and RuntimeXfermode.

Other features and changes include forcing apps to display content edge-to-edge, improving access rights for health and fitness data, replacing the elegantTextHeight API with default font display options for better line height consistency, and adding compatibility mode for apps originally designed for a 4KB memory page to run smoothly on hardware utilizing a 16KB memory page starting from Android 15.

Android 16 is scheduled for release in the second quarter of 2025, marking the first Major SDK update of the year with significant behavior changes. The Minor SDK update is expected to follow in the fourth quarter of 2025.

TLDR: Android 16 Beta 2 introduces new camera features, image processing enhancements, and API updates for developers, paving the way for a major SDK release in 2025.