Does GOS make full use of the hardware of the more modern pixels?

Resupply8986

I see lots of people advocating for the use of the Pixel A series phones. I'm currently testing out GOS on my 7a, which had a DOA bluetooth antenna that Google wouldn't RMA, and I'm bummed out by the photo and video quality compared to my current iPhone 17 Pro.

I currently have the option to use a Pixel 9 Pro, which has a better fingerprint sensor, better cameras, better display, etc. But does GOS have the capabilities to utilize those better hardware features? As in, will the cameras at least be closer to competing with the iPhone 17 Pro?

I also was wondering if Google Fi worked properly with RCS and everything, given the anti-google nature of GOS. It's what my whole family uses, and we won't be switching off of it...I'm hesitant to port my main number there because I'm afraid of it getting stuck somehow, especially since physical sims are dead at this point.

23Sha-ger

Resupply8986
You can use the Pixel Camera if you want more camera modes. That will work without Play Services.
Open Youtube and compare the quality of Pixel iPhone, there should be many reviews.
If your carrier and RCS works on the 7a there is no reason it won't work on the 9. There is a megathread.

raccoondad

Resupply8986 But does GOS have the capabilities to utilize those better hardware features?

Using the Google Camera app, yeah

Resupply8986

raccoondad Is that easily installable from the Play Store? Or do I need to fight with apks like "GCam" on a Samsung?

raccoondad

Resupply8986 you should ideally only install applications from Google Play, just search 'camera' and it should pop up.

Quantum

Resupply8986 If you use google camera you might wanna turn on settings>special app access>special access to hardware for google apps

Klingerman01

Nothing special to install from Google play. It works very well to. The only caveat that I see is that if you want to open the photo from the camera app it needs Google photos. I just ignore this and use file explorer.

vlad

Klingerman01 The only caveat that I see is that if you want to open the photo from the camera app it needs Google photos.

there is a third party open source app available to open any gallery app on this shortcut.
cannot say anything about how secure is it though.
also cannot remember exact url. it's hosted somewhere on github.

vlad

upd: here it is, i believe: https://github.com/lukaspieper/Gcam-Services-Provider