[border43]

I'm wondering why this is exclusive to Pixel 3 and not made available to Pixel 2 owners? If it's an algorithm that stiches together many images, Pixel 2 should be able to do this as well. The Pixel 2 camera already meshes together many images when you take photos, and already gives users the ability to take "motion" photos.

[jordanthoms]

Google is actually backporting a quite a lot of Pixel 3 functionality to the older phones - e.g. night sight (which makes a enormous difference for photos taken in less than ~3 lux), call screening, adjustable blur. (Full list at https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/10/13/pixel-3-features-co... )

It's pretty generous actually, Apple and Samsung rarely backport marquee features. I figure Google is trying to build up loyalty amongst Pixel and Pixel 2 owners so that they stay with the brand.

[Doxin]

> I figure Google is trying to build up loyalty amongst Pixel and Pixel 2 owners so that they stay with the brand.

As a Pixel owner: it's working.

[jordanthoms]

As a nexus/pixel user since the Galaxy Nexus I'd say so too :)

[puzzle]

Super Zoom needs a better lens than what the sensor strictly requires. That was probably not the case on the Pixel 2.

Also, can the Pixel 2 control the OIS the way the Pixel 3 does? I own both, but have no way of checking.

[londons_explore]

Specifically if the lens is too good one gets aliasing which cannot be removed through software.

The pixel 3 hardware requires this super zoom method at all times, or the output will be aliased.

[pjmlp]

Google gets to sell a couple of new Pixel 3 devices?

[Willson50]

People have gotten a lot of Pixel 3 exclusive features to work one Pixel 1 + 2 by install Pixel 3's camera apk. I'm assuming most of the reason for backporting features is not a hardware limitation.

[Eridrus]

Could also be improvements necessary to the "Pixel Visual Core" that are necessary to make this run fast enough.

[artursapek]

same reason everyone throws away their phone every year and buys a new one.