Google Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G users can no longer use the ultra-wide-angle lens astrophotography feature following a software update.

Ultra-wide astrophotography was touted as a key feature at launch, but the Google Camera 8.1 update actually removed this feature in November, and users have only recently noticed. Google itself remained silent about the change, except for updating one support page.

Still, the page does not specify that the feature has been removed, only that "On Pixel 4a (5G) and Pixel 5, astrophotography only works at zoom settings greater than 1x." Previously, when using astrophotography mode, one could select 0.6x zoom and switch from the main sensor to the ultra-wide lens.

In other words, astrophotography is possible on the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G, and the ultra-wide lens can also be used. This is a surprising move, considering that when these two models were announced, Google was touting the addition of ultra-wide lenses, including their application to astrophotography.

Nevertheless, some users, including those on Google's support forum, complained that an ugly green tint appeared when shooting stars with the ultra-wide lens. Temporarily until a fix is found, or permanently if it is an inherent hardware defect.

In any case, it is unfortunate that the Google Camera 8.1 update not only brought many useful features to older Pixel phones, but also left Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a owners with a less capable smartphone than the one they originally purchased.

Still, if the removal became widely known more than a month after its removal, it is likely one of the least-used features on the two devices, and Google may have viewed ultra-wide-angle astrophotography as an acceptable loss.