Android devices represent 32% of myhairline.ai users, and device-specific camera settings directly affect the quality of AI density readings. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra's 200MP sensor with Pro mode produces density readings that are measurably more accurate than photos taken in default auto mode.
Why Default Camera Settings Fail for Hair Tracking
Android manufacturers optimize their camera software for social media and landscape photography. Features like AI scene enhancement, beauty mode, and computational HDR make portraits look smoother and landscapes look more vivid.
These optimizations actively harm hair tracking accuracy. Texture smoothing removes the fine detail of individual hair strands that the density algorithm needs to count. Color enhancement alters scalp tone, which affects the contrast detection the AI uses to distinguish hair from skin.
The goal for clinical photography is the opposite of what auto mode delivers. You want sharp, unprocessed images with accurate color and maximum detail in the hair and scalp region.
Samsung Galaxy Settings (S21 through S24 Series)
Samsung devices are the most common Android phones used with myhairline.ai. The Pro mode available on Galaxy S21 and newer models gives you the manual controls needed for clinical-quality photos.
Step-by-Step Pro Mode Setup
- Open the Camera app and swipe to Pro mode (or Expert RAW on S23/S24 Ultra)
- Set ISO to 200 to 400 for indoor lighting, or 100 for natural daylight
- Set white balance to Daylight (5500K) for consistency across sessions
- Set focus mode to Manual and focus on the scalp surface at your standard shooting distance
- Set resolution to 12MP (the standard output, not the 50MP or 200MP high-res mode)
- Disable Scene Optimizer in camera settings
- Disable Shot Suggestions
- Disable Beauty Mode if active
Settings to Avoid
| Setting | Why to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Scene Optimizer | Alters texture and color based on AI scene detection |
| 200MP mode | Files are unnecessarily large; 12MP captures sufficient detail |
| Digital zoom beyond 2x | Introduces interpolation artifacts |
| Night mode | Aggressive noise reduction smooths hair texture |
| Beauty/Face smoothing | Blurs fine detail near the hairline |
Samsung-Specific Tip
The Galaxy S24 Ultra and S23 Ultra have a 3x optical telephoto lens that works well for close-up scalp shots from 12 to 18 inches away. Using optical zoom avoids the quality loss of digital cropping. Set the telephoto lens to manual focus for sharpest results.
Google Pixel Settings (Pixel 6 through Pixel 9 Series)
Pixel phones are known for computational photography. Google's processing pipeline applies aggressive HDR, noise reduction, and sharpening that can alter hair detail.
Step-by-Step Setup
- Open the Camera app and tap the Settings gear
- Disable Photo Enhance (Pixel 8 and newer)
- Disable Night Sight auto-activation in Advanced settings
- Disable Macro Focus auto-switching (Pixel 7 Pro and newer)
- Tap the viewfinder on the scalp area to lock exposure and focus
- Hold the phone steady at 8 to 12 inches from the scalp
Using Pixel's Manual Controls
Pixel phones do not have a native Pro mode like Samsung. For manual control, install a third-party camera app such as Open Camera or Filmic Firstlight. These apps provide:
- Manual ISO control (set to 200 to 400)
- Manual white balance (set to 5500K)
- RAW capture (DNG format for maximum detail)
- Manual focus lock
Pixel-Specific Tip
The Pixel 9 Pro's 50MP main sensor captures excellent hair detail when computational processing is minimized. If you use the stock camera, take the photo immediately after tapping to lock focus, before Google's processing has time to apply additional smoothing.
OnePlus Settings (OnePlus 11 through OnePlus 13)
OnePlus devices include Hasselblad color tuning on recent models. While this produces pleasing color for portraits, it shifts scalp tones in ways that affect density contrast detection.
Step-by-Step Setup
- Open the Camera app and switch to Pro mode
- Set ISO to 200 to 400
- Set white balance to 5500K (Daylight)
- Set focus to Manual and adjust for your shooting distance
- Set image format to RAW (DNG) if available
- In Camera Settings, disable AI Scene Enhancement
- Disable Ultra HDR processing
OnePlus-Specific Tip
OnePlus Pro mode saves a JPEG and RAW simultaneously. The JPEG includes Hasselblad color processing while the RAW file is unprocessed. For the most accurate density readings, upload the RAW file if the myhairline.ai app supports it, or use the JPEG with AI enhancement disabled.
Universal Android Photography Protocol
Regardless of manufacturer, follow this protocol for every tracking session to ensure consistent hair loss progress photos.
Lighting
Use indirect natural light from a window, or a ring light positioned directly above the shooting area. Avoid overhead fluorescent lights that create uneven shadows across the scalp. Consistent lighting is more important than bright lighting.
Distance and Angle
Hold the phone 8 to 12 inches from the scalp surface. For top-of-head shots, position the camera directly above and shoot straight down. For hairline shots, shoot at a 45-degree angle from forehead level.
Mark your shooting position. Use a piece of tape on the floor where you stand and a fixed mount or mirror setup that replicates the same angle every session.
Photo Checklist
Before uploading to myhairline.ai, verify each photo meets these criteria:
- Hair is dry (wet hair clumps and distorts density readings)
- No hair products applied (gel, spray, or fibers)
- Scalp is visible through the hair in thinning areas
- Image is in focus with visible individual hair strands
- Lighting matches your previous session
- No digital zoom beyond 2x was applied
For detailed hair tracking camera settings across all devices, see the companion guide.
Troubleshooting Common Android Issues
Photos look over-sharpened: Android processing pipelines often add sharpening halos around edges. Switch to Pro mode or RAW capture to eliminate this.
Color shifts between sessions: Auto white balance changes with ambient light. Lock white balance to 5500K to keep scalp tones consistent across months of tracking.
Focus hunting on close-up shots: Many Android cameras struggle to focus at close range. Use manual focus lock or step back slightly and crop the photo afterward.
Start tracking your hair density with clinical-quality Android photos at myhairline.ai/analyze. Accurate photos produce accurate density readings, and the right camera settings make all the difference.
Medical disclaimer: AI hair density tracking is not a substitute for professional dermatological evaluation. Consult a qualified dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment recommendations.