·  ·  · 

Google Camera’s Photo Sphere gets a 2025 spotlight: Android Police shows it still shines—while Pixel pivots to a rebuilt 360° Panorama

November 9, 2025
by
Google Camera’s Photo Sphere gets a 2025 spotlight: Android Police shows it still shines—while Pixel pivots to a rebuilt 360° Panorama
  • New today: An Android Police feature published on November 9 shows how Photo Sphere still delivers immersive 360° images in 2025—especially via the Google Camera (GCam) app on non‑Pixel phones—rekindling interest in a classic Google camera trick. [1]
  • Context: Google removed the dedicated Photo Sphere mode from the Pixel Camera beginning with the Pixel 8 generation in 2023, a change that has frustrated long‑time Pixel photographers. [2]
  • What replaces it on Pixel: In 2025, Google rebuilt Panorama on the Pixel 9 series, tapping the HDR+ photo pipeline and even encouraging users to try the mode’s “full 360 capabilities”—a shift that effectively covers many Photo Sphere use cases without restoring the old toggle. [3]
  • Support confirmation: This removal remains reflected in Google’s own support forums in 2025, where staff advise recent‑model Pixel owners to seek third‑party options for spherical captures. [4]

What happened today (Nov. 9, 2025)

Android Police’s new piece argues that Photo Sphere is still worth your time, demonstrating how loading the Google Camera (GCam) app on a non‑Pixel phone can revive the feature and produce engaging, navigable 360° scenes. The article includes examples shot on a Realme handset and notes how GCam behaves (e.g., auto‑switches like Night Sight) while capturing spheres—proof that the experience remains compelling in 2025 even outside Google’s own phones. [5]

A quick timeline: from beloved to buried (and partially reborn)

  • 2012–2022: Photo Sphere debuts with Android 4.2 and becomes a hallmark of Google’s camera ambitions, letting anyone create immersive 360° photos similar to Street View. [6]
  • October 2023: Google removes Photo Sphere as a standalone mode on Pixel Camera for the Pixel 8 family; older Pixels keep it at the time. [7]
  • Early 2024: Updates briefly restore Photo Sphere on older Pixels (not the Pixel 8 lineup), underscoring how the feature continued to exist—just not on Google’s newest phones. [8]
  • 2025: Google’s Pixel 9 series ships with a reengineered Panorama, leveraging the HDR+ photo pipeline. Google’s own guidance explicitly suggests trying the mode’s “full 360 capabilities”—a strong hint at Google’s preferred path for spherical or near‑spherical capture on modern Pixels. [9]

The Pixel approach in 2025: 360° via Panorama, not “Photo Sphere”

Rather than bringing back the old Photo Sphere toggle, Google focused on quality and reliability in the Pixel 9’s Panorama:

  • From video sweep to photo stack. Panorama now stitches individual photos (not a low‑data video scan), tapping HDR+ for cleaner edges and better exposure blending. [10]
  • Capture tips from Google: rotate the camera in place to minimize parallax, stay as still as possible (especially for Night Sight panoramas), and skip tap‑to‑focus—the software handles exposure and focus automatically. [11]

This doesn’t resurrect the classic Photo Sphere UI, but it does enable comprehensive, high‑quality panoramic capture on Pixels—including wraps that can go a full 360° around you—addressing many of the scenarios creators used Photo Sphere for in the first place. [12]

So can you still shoot true “spheres” in 2025?

Yes, with caveats:

  1. Older Pixels: Some still offer Photo Sphere as a legacy mode after earlier updates—just not on Pixel 8/9 where the mode was removed. [13]
  2. GCam (Google Camera) ports: As Android Police shows today, installing a reputable GCam APK on supported non‑Pixel phones can unlock a Photo Sphere experience reminiscent of Google’s classic mode. (Standard APK‑install cautions apply.) [14]
  3. Third‑party 360 apps and cameras: Dedicated apps remain on the Play Store, and professional options like Insta360 gear can capture Street‑View‑ready imagery. [15]

Where do those spheres live now?

Even without the old Pixel toggle, you can still publish 360 imagery to Google Street View on the web and explore contributions from others worldwide. That keeps the Photo Sphere spirit alive across Maps and tourism content. [16]

Why today’s piece matters

  • Renewed interest: A fresh, real‑world demo from Android Police is timely proof that immersive 360° photography still resonates with mobile shooters in 2025—especially as social and XR platforms push spatial media. [17]
  • Clearer product direction: Meanwhile, Google’s own documentation discourages waiting for a “Photo Sphere” comeback; the company has re‑channeled spherical ambitions into Panorama, with measurable imaging gains on newer Pixels. [18]
  • Practical options: If you’re on Pixel 8/9 and crave spherical captures, you can lean on Panorama’s 360 wraps or pick third‑party tools—while recognizing that the old one‑tap Photo Sphere UI is gone on recent Pixels. [19]

Quick how‑to: best results for 360‑style shots on Pixel 9’s Panorama

  • Stand in place; rotate the phone, not your body, to reduce perspective shift and stitching artifacts. [20]
  • Be patient at each dot, especially in Night Sight; let the camera finish every frame before moving on. [21]
  • Try vertical panoramas for dramatic architecture or tall interiors; Google added explicit support last year. [22]

The bottom line

Today’s Android Police feature reframes a simple truth: the joy of immersive mobile photography didn’t vanish with a missing menu toggle. If you want the classic experience, GCam ports and third‑party apps can still get you there; if you want higher fidelity on Pixels, the new Panorama is Google’s path forward. Either way, 360‑style storytelling remains very much alive in 2025. [23]

Sources & further reading

  • Android Police’s feature on rediscovering Photo Sphere with GCam (published Nov. 9, 2025). [24]
  • Google’s 2025 guide to the upgraded Panorama on Pixel 9 (HDR+ pipeline, full‑360 usage tips). [25]
  • 9to5Google’s original report on Photo Sphere removal starting with Pixel 8 (Oct. 2023). [26]
  • Google support thread (2025) confirming Photo Sphere isn’t available on recent Pixels. [27]
  • 2024 coverage of Photo Sphere returning to older Pixels after updates (but not Pixel 8 series). [28]
Pixel 6 Pro Camera Tip: Double Resolution of Panorama Pictures Using Photosphere Mode
Watch this video on YouTube.

References

1. www.androidpolice.com, 2. 9to5google.com, 3. blog.google, 4. support.google.com, 5. www.androidpolice.com, 6. www.dpreview.com, 7. 9to5google.com, 8. www.androidcentral.com, 9. blog.google, 10. blog.google, 11. blog.google, 12. blog.google, 13. www.androidcentral.com, 14. www.androidpolice.com, 15. play.google.com, 16. www.google.com, 17. www.androidpolice.com, 18. blog.google, 19. blog.google, 20. blog.google, 21. blog.google, 22. blog.google, 23. www.androidpolice.com, 24. www.androidpolice.com, 25. blog.google, 26. 9to5google.com, 27. support.google.com, 28. www.androidcentral.com

Mateusz Brzeziński

Technology News

  • Tesla's European and Chinese sales dip as competition tightens
    November 9, 2025, 7:36 PM EST. Tesla's investors are weighing a larger stake for Elon Musk, but the bigger story may be demand. October monthly registrations show double-digit drops across Europe: Sweden 89%, Denmark 86%, Belgium 69%, Finland 68%, Austria 65%, Switzerland 60%, Portugal 59%, Germany 54%, Norway 50%, the Netherlands 48%, the UK 47%, Italy 47%, Spain 31%, with France up 2% thanks to a subsidy. China fared only slightly better, with a 9.9% year-over-year dip. The culprit appears to be intensifying competition from established automakers and new Chinese startups, plus Tesla's limited lineup beyond the Models 3 and Y, which now looks dated despite cosmetic tweaks. Slower demand and rising costs have squeezed margins, threatening profits despite earlier record quarterly sales.
  • GTA 6 delay could push publishers to dodge 2027 awards season, Palworld lead says
    November 9, 2025, 7:34 PM EST. After the GTA 6 delay, Palworld lead John 'Bucky' Buckley says the new November 19, 2026 release could put GTA 6 outside the nomination window for 2026, encouraging publishers to shift releases earlier in 2026 to avoid the 2027 awards season. The idea is that many titles-especially AAA games-might sprint to avoid clashing with awards shows. The debate touches on whether GTA 6 is a guaranteed GOTY candidate, given past surprises and competing franchises, including potential showdowns from FromSoftware, new 3D Mario/Zelda entries, or a major Naughty Dog release. The conversation also nods to Sony's prestige and Devolver Digital's playful line, illustrating how timing can influence awards buzz and sales.
  • Apple iPhone 16 Price Cut on Amazon: Now Rs 62,900 with Bank Offers
    November 9, 2025, 7:32 PM EST. Apple's previous-gen iPhone 16 gets a substantial price cut on Amazon after the launch of the iPhone 17 series. The base model now lists at Rs 66,900 (down from Rs 79,900). Using select SBI or ICICI bank cards can further drop the price to Rs 62,900. EMI options start from Rs 3,243/month, and there's an exchange program offering up to Rs 58,000 off, depending on the device. The phone packs a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display (60Hz), A18 Bionic chip with 8GB RAM, iOS 26, and a 3,561mAh battery. Dual rear cameras are 48MP + 12MP, with a 12MP front camera. A solid value for buyers seeking a premium iPhone without the latest model.
  • Apple iPhone 16 Pro Refurbished Deals Drop Ahead of Black Friday
    November 9, 2025, 7:30 PM EST. Before Black Friday, retailers have slashed prices on refurbished iPhone 16 Pro models rather than the current generation. Amazon currently lists several Renewed Premium units with minimal wear, including the 128GB model in four colors for about $759 (a $240 saving from new). For more storage, the 256GB versions dip to $814.97 (desert and white) or $809.97 (black); these are roughly $284 off the new price. The 512GB options start around $879-$909.97 depending on color, still well below launch pricing. The top storage tier, 1TB, is priced at $1,099.97. Availability spans Black Titanium and Natural Titanium, with price movements slightly week to week. Note these are refurbished, not new, and stock can vary by retailer.
  • iPhone 16 price drop on Flipkart: Get it under Rs 60,000 with bank and exchange offers
    November 9, 2025, 7:28 PM EST. Flipkart is listing the iPhone 16 at Rs 62,999 (down from Rs 69,900), a 10% discount. With extra savings via the Flipkart Axis Bank card EMI offer of Rs 3,159 and an exchange deal worth up to Rs 60,200, buyers can bring the effective price to under Rs 60,000. The deal follows the launch of the iPhone 17. The iPhone 16 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, the A18 chip, 8GB RAM, iOS 26, and a dual-camera system (48MP main + 12MP ultrawide) plus a 12MP front camera. Offers vary by model and condition.