Search titan Google has reportedly retired its recently introduced portrait-related setting for the Phone app on Pixel phones, aimed at improving user control over portrait effects during phone calls.
Initially designed exclusively for the Google Phone app on Pixel devices, this feature was part of Google’s efforts to improve the user experience through software updates rather than hardware changes.
The feature was planned to roll out gradually via a server-side update for Pixel phones equipped with advanced computational photography and AI-powered camera capabilities. By extending photo and video portrait effects to calling features, Google aimed to improve visual clarity during communication.
With the new portrait settings, users could have managed portrait behavior more effectively during calls, being able to turn portrait processing on or off instead of relying solely on automatic settings.
This functionality was particularly beneficial for those who frequently switched between voice and video calls, ensuring consistency and reducing unexpected visual effects.
Regardless, the rollback means Pixel users will no longer have access to this feature, which was aligned with Google’s goal of improving the phone app through AI-powered tools like Call Screen and better spam detection.
Since video calling has become more common than ever, the ability to control camera behavior during calls is essential, but unfortunately Google appears to have reconsidered its approach.
The decision to retire the feature reflects ongoing adjustments to Google’s strategy as the company evaluates user feedback and the overall impact of such capabilities on the competitive communications technology landscape.
