OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro flagships got a new XPan mode with the update, honoring the camera from the 90s

OnePlus has started rolling out the 11.2.9.9 update for its OnePlus 9 flagship and OnePlus 9 Pro. The new firmware adds a camera mode called XPan.

How does it work?

XPan mode - is a reference to Hasselblad XPan, an updated version of Fuji's TX-1dual format camera released in the late 90s . Its main feature was the ability to shoot not only on 35mm film, but and in wider format 65 mm for panoramas with an aspect ratio of 65:24 (or 2.7: 1).

XPan mode in the OnePlus 9 series simulates shooting with this camera. When you activate the mode, the screen launches a new interface with a viewfinder with a 65:25 aspect ratio and limited controls. you only have the option to switch between two color modes: a slightly modified natural color preset and black and white default mode based on Ilford Delta 400 film. You can also switch the focal length from 45 mm to wider 30 mm, which means switching to an extra wide angle lens.

Since the 65:25 aspect ratio on a smartphone cannot be recreated initially, images are cropped using the native 4:3 sensor. The irony is that the original XPan created panoramas by actually enlarging the field of view, but not cropping or masking the standard. The result is a shot at 20 MP at resolution 7872×2916 (45 mm) and 7552×2798 (30 mm). The XPan mode can only be used in landscape orientation.

But keep in mind that after shooting, the final image is slow to form and saved. According to the manufacturer, this "reproduces the ritual meaning of film development". It also takes almost 4.5 seconds before you can take another picture. So that is definitely a rush mode.

OnePlus also offers some camera performance improvements in this update. On top of that, the firmware includes a September security patch.

Source: OnePlus