How to use the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus?

Like it or not, you need to learn to use the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+  if you want to take nice photos.

Although some Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners may prefer the old camera app, the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9 does introduce some new features (ported from Galaxy Note 9 mainly).

This Galaxy S9 Android Pire update guide explains the new features of the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+, and how to use the new camera app.

The new user interface of the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+?

After you update Galaxy S9 or S9+ to Android Pie, you will first see the new app icon for the camera app.

Once you start the camera app (all the 6 methods to start camera app on Galaxy S9 and S9+ still work.), you may be surprised by the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+.

As shown in the screenshot below, you can find it is substantially different from the original camera app in the following aspects:

• Camera modes are now placed on the bottom (above the shutter button) in the portrait orientation.
• Camera setting buttons (options for the camera mode being used) are now placed in the top (below the Bixby vision and AR Emoji).
• Bixby vision button is moved to the top of the screen.
• AR Emoji is not listed among camera modes. It is now placed on the top of the screen.
• Auto mode is renamed as Photo mode.
• The shutter button does not have the zoom function. You cannot drag the shutter button to zoom. You have a new way to zoom (read on).
• New scene optimizer button was added (read on).
• Buttons for camera selection (for Galaxy S9+ rear cameras),  were updated. You can also use it to zoom in/out (read on).
• For supported camera modes, you can now change the aspect ratio of the photo (and photo size) without navigating to Galaxy s9 camera settings. In the screenshot below, the 4:3 button can be used to change the photo aspect ratio to 16:9 or 4:3 or 1:1 or full (18.5:9).  In the original camera app, you can only switch between 18.5:9 and the one you set in camera settings.

The components of the user interface of the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+ (in Photo mode):

1. Bixby and AR Emoji buttons
2. Camera settings button and options for the camera mode being used.
3. Fron/rear camera switch button.
4. Shutter button.
5. Thumbnail for Gallery app.
6. Camera modes.
7. Camera selection/zoom (for S9+ only).
8. Scene optimizer.

Anyway, you may need time to get used to the updated UI for the camera app.

Please note, the new camera app is not affected by the night mode.

Also, the updated camera app ignores rotation toggle and screen orientation settings.  Instead, the camera app adjusts its layout accordingly based on the actual orientation of the phone.

For other new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+, for example, the navigation gestures, new Recents panel, the camera app works with them nicely.

What are the new features of the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+?

There are two new features in the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+:

• Scene optimizer.
• Flaw detection.

Both of these features were ported from Galaxy Note 9.

How to use scene optimizer in the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+?

For the scene optimizer, Galaxy S9 and S9+ camera can choose the most appropriate color and tone settings based on the scene or objects recognized.

The scene optimizer only works in the Photo mode.

Unlike the similar feature in Galaxy Note 9,  the scene optimizer in Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update is not limited to the 20 scenes.

To use the scene optimizer, you just need to tap the scene optimizer button to enable it. When the button is black-and-white, it means it is disabled as shown below.

Once scene optimizer is enabled, it will work automatically when scene or objects are recognized.

You can also enable or disable scene optimizer in the camera settings as shown below.

How to use the flaw detection in the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+?

Flaw detection is a very practical feature. When you are raking a photo, it will alert you:

• If someone moved.
• If someone blinked.
• If the photo may be blurry.
• If the camera is dirty.

By default, the flaw detection is enabled after you update Galaxy S9 or S9+ to Android Pie.

At any time, you can disable or enable the flaw detection in camera settings as shown earlier.

How to zoom in and out in the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+?

In the original camera apps in Galaxy S9 and S9+, you can drag the shutter button left or right to zoom in and out.

But in the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+, the shutter button is purely a shutter button without zooming functions.

So, if your Galaxy S9 or S9+ is running Android Pie, you can zoom in and out in the camera app with the following methods:

• Using the pinch and spread gestures to zoom in and out. This method works on both Galaxy S9 and S9+.  Actually, it works on all Samsung phones with or without Android Pie update.
• Using the lens selection (rear camera selection) button to zoom in and out. This method works on Galaxy S9+ only because Galaxy S9 has only one rear camera lens and S9+ has two.  This method also requires Android Pie update.

To use the lens selection button to zooming and out, you need to tap and hold the button, then drag it up or down (or left and right in portrait mode) to zoom in and out as shown below.

Can you use the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus? Do you know the new features of the updated camera app on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?

If you have any questions or encounter any problems on using the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus,  please let us know them in the comment box below.

The community will help you find the answer.

For the user guide for new features of Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+, please check Galaxy S9 new features guides page.

For using Galaxy S9 and S9+, please check Galaxy S9 how-to guides page.

For using the Galaxy S9 camera, please check the Galaxy S9 camera guides page.

For accessories for Galaxy S9 and S9+, please check Galaxy S9 accessories guides page.

For official Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ user manuals in your language, you may check this page (if your Galaxy S9 or S(+ is running Android Oreo), or this page (if your Galaxy S9 and S9+ have got the Android Pie update)

Detailed how-to guides for new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+ be found on this page.