The rest of the Pixel 9 Pro XL aquatic mode test

Google not only offers some of the best smartphones on the market today, but it makes them even better with some amazing features, such as the new “aquatic” option for the Pixel 9 models, which is intended to improve color rendering. After an abortive attempt, we set off on an adventure with a Pixel 9 Pro XL protected by a waterproof pouch.

Indeed, as we saw last week, the underwater shooting function must be used with adequate equipment, that is to say an airtight case or pouch. We therefore acquired such an accessory for around fifteen francs.

A parameter to activate manually

When trying to shoot our underwater sequences in a body of water decorated with different small goldfish or not, we noticed in the advanced settings of the photo and video mode the presence of an ad hoc option. It is also specified, here too, to use a waterproof shell.

The different photos below show the precautions we took before going to our shooting location. Using a “Gorillapod” we immersed the camera just under the surface of a small “gouille” to try to immortalize the different fish clearly visible from the surface.

With or without the option?

The two sequences below were taken with and without the aquatic option. The Internet user may wonder what it can be used for given the results obtained. Indeed, the turbidity of the water did not really allow us to fully test this interesting Google functionality.

Probably also that the lack of clarity of the water disrupted the underwater focusing. This new example clearly shows the difficulty of the exercise. It therefore seems that, to fully exploit the potential of this underwater mode, multiple conditions must be met.

Xavier Studer

Google Pixel 9 Pros XL, aquatic mode

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL