Emir BardakçıRecently, Google announced that the “Night Mode Indicator API” would be unveiled with Android 16, expected to hit the market officially in June 2025. It will allow cameras or social apps to intelligently detect low light and automatically regulate shooting settings. But while that is said, it begs the question of whether this capability would eventually make its way through to Xiaomi devices themselves.
What is Night Mode Indicator API?
The Night Mode Indicator API operates seamlessly with camera and social applications. Its main features include: Ambient Light Detection: It automatically assesses the lighting conditions and determines whether a night mode is required or not.
Three Possible Outputs:
- Unknown – Unable to assess light conditions.
- Off — Light is sufficient; no need for night mode.
- On: Low light detected; Night Mode suggested.
- Advantages: Improves brightness and clarity of pictures in scenarios with low light, easily enabling night mode.
This feature can be really useful with camera apps, like in the case of Instagram, as many times you capture the moments in various lighting scenarios.
Potential Integration into Xiaomi Devices
Xiaomi is known for feature-rich MIUI and HyperOS, and definitely isn’t a stranger to taking advantage of Google’s APIs to enhance the system. So, when Android 16 launches, it’s very likely that Xiaomi could include this API in its proprietary camera software and make the feature available across its wide array of devices.
Why It Makes Sense for Xiaomi
- Camera Innovation: Xaiomi has always believed in introducing camera-related changes, be it AI-based night mode, moon photography, or Ultra Night Mode. Involving the Night Mode Indicator API will go hand-in-hand with its existing ecosystem.
- HyperOS Adaptability: With the recent launch of HyperOS worldwide, an integration of Google’s newest APIs into Xiaomi’s system would only add to being known as a user-oriented operating system.
- Third-Party Application Optimization: On the optimization basis, this API will further help in giving good photo quality to the users of Xiaomi while combining their social platforms, such as Instagram.
Challenges and Considerations
While the Night Mode Indicator API seems promising, there are a few barriers to adoption:
- Device Compatibility: Will the feature be available only on newer Xiaomi devices, or is it going to be backported to older models with updates?
- Custom Implementation: That could be the reason Xiaomi needs to integrate the API with their special implementation, thereby delaying the rollout.
- Competition: In a market where other Android makers are struggling to make their camera capability better, Xiaomi needs to hold its head above water in ensuring that its implementation stands out in the market.
Given Xiaomi’s history in embracing the latest features, it is possible that the Night Mode Indicator API could seep into its devices with flagships and mid-range using it. This API serves not only to simplify several aspects of night photography further but also to strengthen Xiao-mi’s position, regarding camera experience. What do you think? Will Xiaomi move over to Google’s new API or find another route to up its low-light photography ante? Let us know in the comments!
