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WhatsApp is readying a new feature that lets you send photos in higher quality. When sending a larger size image, users will be able to select whether to send it in standard quality with heavy compression or HD quality with less compression. This feature is currently available to some users with the latest beta version of the app.
Messaging apps rely on heavy compression of media files to swiftly move them across from one end to another. This reduces the strain on their servers and also helps users save internet data and storage space on their devices. This is the standard behavior of most platforms, though there are ways to send images in their original quality. For example, WhatsApp lets you send photos as documents to avoid compression.
Of course, this method consumes more internet data (sends photos in their original size) and isn’t always convenient. You don’t get a preview of images in chats, even after downloading them. Sending photos in the standard method, meanwhile, kills all those details and accurate colors captured by your impressive smartphone camera. It pretty much negates all the camera advancements smartphone companies have made in recent years.
WhatsApp is fixing this with optional HD photos
WhatsApp is now looking to strike a balance between the two with a new “HD quality” option for sending photos. First spotted by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp beta version 2.23.12.13 on Android and version 23.11.0.76 on iOS lets users select whether to send a photo in standard quality or HD quality. A screenshot shared by the publication shows that this option is available through a new button in the top toolbar of the preview screen before sending a photo.
Tapping the new button slides up a panel from the bottom with the two “photo quality” options. “HD photos are clearer. Standard photos use less storage space and are faster to send,” WhatsApp explains. It also tells you the image resolution for each option, giving you a better idea of the resolution of the image being sent. Once you have selected your preferred quality, you can proceed to send the photo as before. Photos sent in HD quality will have an “HD” label in chats.
It appears photos are sent in the standard quality by default. You’ll have to manually select HD quality every time you want to send higher-resolution images. That’s unless WhatsApp adds the ability for users to select their preferred default quality. This feature is still in the early stages of beta testing, The company could make some changes to it before bringing it to the public. We will let you know when this feature arrives in the stable version of WhatsApp.
