Google’s Pixel 8 Pro, introduced last year, made a bold promise to photographers with its new “Zoom Enhance” feature, first showcased at Google I/O 2023. This game-changing technology is now rolling out to the Pixel 8 Pro and will be available on the upcoming Pixel 9 Pro series.
Imagine zooming into a photo and seeing details that were previously hidden. This is the magic of Zoom Enhance, an AI-powered feature that dramatically improves the quality of zoomed-in photos. It intelligently fills in the gaps between pixels, resulting in sharper, more detailed images.
Every time you zoom in, Zoom Enhance analyzes the image, predicts missing details, and seamlessly fills them in. The result is astonishingly clear, even when zooming in on photos captured with other cameras and stored in Google Photos. This remarkable functionality is achieved through a powerful image-to-image diffusion model, optimized to run completely on the device – no cloud dependence required.
Google’s Peyman Milanfar, highlighting the impressive capabilities of Zoom Enhance, has shared compelling examples. In one instance, a zoomed-in photo of a bridge reveals intricate details that were previously invisible. Another example shows how Zoom Enhance allows adjusting the composition of a group photo without sacrificing image quality. Finally, a distant shot of the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, captured through Zoom Enhance, brings the iconic painting remarkably closer, showcasing its intricate details with exceptional clarity.
While Zoom Enhance is compatible with the Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro series, and upcoming models like the Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, it’s not available on regular versions of the Pixel 8, Pixel 9, or older models due to hardware limitations.
With its remarkable capabilities, Zoom Enhance is poised to redefine smartphone photography. As we continue exploring the new Pixel 9 Pro, we’re eagerly anticipating the chance to test this revolutionary feature. If these early images are any indication, Zoom Enhance is about to transform how we capture and experience the world through our smartphone cameras.
