A Pixel 9 camera feature may be available on older Pixel phones.

Google often promotes new Pixel phone features as exclusive, later extending them to older models. For instance, Call Screen with Google Assistant, initially a Pixel 3 exclusive in 2018, was later available on the Pixel 2 and original Pixel. This feature allowed the Google Assistant to answer calls, transcribe the caller's message, and let the user decide to answer, decline, or report the call as spam.

Other features that followed this pattern include Astrophotography Mode, Night Sight, the Recorder app, Car Crash Detection, Live Caption, Extreme Battery Saver, and Hold for Me. Now, Connected Cameras, initially a Pixel 9 exclusive, seems to be coming to older Pixel devices.

Connected Cameras, launched with the Pixel 9 series, enables users to use a compatible camera, such as another Pixel or a GoPro, as a remote feed. This allows multiple camera angles during live streams on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube, and during video recordings. Although a Google support page states Pixel 9 series exclusivity, a Pixel 8 user on Reddit reported seeing the feature's toggle in their settings.

The Redditor also shared a screenshot of the Connected Cameras screen, showing YouTube as the only currently compatible app. The description reads: "Use another Pixel or compatible device as a remote camera," with links to instructions for connecting to another Pixel camera or a GoPro.

In addition to the Pixel 8, some Pixel 7 and Pixel 6a users have also reported finding the feature on their devices. It is likely that if the feature is available on the Pixel 6a, it will also be found on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.

Google isn't alone in adding features to older phones through backward compatibility. Apple has done something similar with Visual Intelligence on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Discovered using the Camera Control feature for the iPhone 16 series, Apple added Visual Intelligence to the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 16e, even without Camera Control. On these models, Visual Intelligence can be accessed via the Action Button or in the Control Center.

Visual Intelligence uses the iPhone's camera to identify items for analysis via ChatGPT or Google Search. It can also recognize dates on posters and add them to the user's calendar.

Google is notable for backporting features, a factor for consumers to consider when new Pixel features entice them. Waiting may result in the desired feature arriving on an older Pixel model.

Many users have benefitted from features initially exclusive to newer Pixel releases. Night Sight came to the Pixel 2 XL after being a Pixel 3 exclusive. The Magic Editor and Clear Calling features from the Pixel 7 were also added to the Pixel 6 Pro. Furthermore, the Pixel 6 Pro will receive Android 17, extending its support beyond the release of Android 15.

Despite criticisms, Pixel ownership offers the benefit of unexpected feature additions. Google could have restricted these features to newer models, forcing upgrades, but instead chose to provide this perk to existing users.

In other news, "Iconic Phones: Revolution at Your Fingertips", a coffee table book about the technological revolution of the 21st century, will be released in a few months.