WhatsApp has unveiled an upgrade that will enable users to share high-definition (HD) photos within the messaging app. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently announced it via his Instagram broadcast channel and a Facebook post.
According to TechCrunch, this feature, which empowers users to maintain the superior resolution of the photos they share with their contacts, underwent beta testing with a select group of users before its official launch.
A picture taken on March 23, 2022 in Moscow shows the US instant messaging software Whatsapp logo on a smartphone screen.
WhatsApp HD Support for Images
WhatsApp had a limitation on the maximum file size that could be sent for photos and other media before. HD photos are often larger in size due to their higher resolution and usually exceed the maximum allowed file size for sharing on the platform.
Hence, WhatsApp does not natively support high-resolution images sent through the app. Users often need to compress the images to reduce file size, which can decrease image quality. However, WhatsApp does offer an option to send documents, which might include higher-resolution images in formats like PDF.
But everything will now change due to the introduction of the new support. Before the official announcement, users noticed the availability of this feature through the Android beta edition of WhatsApp and the TestFlight app on iOS, indicating that a wider public release was on the horizon.
Users must ensure they have updated their app to the most current version to utilize this feature. Once the update is complete, an additional "HD" button will be prominently displayed at the top of the photo-sharing screen alongside existing image manipulation tools like rotation and those facilitating text and sticker additions to the photo.
A new interface will appear upon clicking the HD button, allowing users to designate the desired photo quality. The default option is "Standard Quality," a decision that WhatsApp claims was made to ensure the swift sharing of photos.
However, a newly introduced option now enables users to select "HD quality," thereby retaining the high-definition rendition of the image being shared.
Upon receipt of the shared photo, the recipient will observe the presence of an "HD" label in the bottom-left corner of the image, indicating that a higher-quality version has been shared. Notably, WhatsApp employs end-to-end encryption to secure all photos sent via the platform.
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HD Support to Videos Coming Soon
The company said that individuals encountering low-bandwidth connectivity while receiving a photo can decide whether to retain the standard version of the image or upgrade it to HD quality.
The HD photo-sharing feature will be introduced to WhatsApp users worldwide in the upcoming weeks. Furthermore, the company has disclosed its plans to extend HD support to videos, marking a forthcoming enhancement to the platform's multimedia capabilities.
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