Google adds ‘flash’ for front camera Pixel and Nexus phones

Google is adding a “flash” to the front camera of the Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus 5X, 6P, and 6, and Android One phones via an update to the Camera app on the Play Store. The flash works by lighting up the lower part of the screen.

Unlike other systems to use the screen as a flash, such as Apple’s, Google chooses to leave the screen always lit, so users can see if faces in a self-portrait are visible with flash, Google 9to5 reports. The update is already available in the Play Store for some users.

It’s not about bright white light, but a slightly warmer white, presumably to make skin tones come out better than with white light. The phone also announces ‘warm light is on’ via an on-screen notification when users turn on the flash.

In addition, the update offers an option to disable the shutter sound. The version number of the Camera app is 4.3. Previously, the Google Camera worked on many more phones, but the search giant has stopped supporting the app on devices whose software the company does not maintain.