One of the drawbacks of sending images via WhatsApp is their significant reduction in size and quality due to processing. The good news is that this pain is finally being addressed. While the low-resolution issue is being addressed, the introduction of “HD Photos” is a long-awaited improvement.
“Sharing photos on WhatsApp just got an upgrade,” Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced via his Meta Broadcast channel on Instagram. “Now you can send in HD.”
In the context of WhatsApp, “HD” means that images can now be sent with a resolution of up to 4096 x 2692. Interestingly, there is a ‘Standard’ quality option available, resizing images to 1600 x 1052.
However, resolution is not the only consideration; Compression also plays a role. WhatsApp didn’t disclose the compression limit, even for “HD” images, but the upgrade promises higher resolution for a better visual experience.
The latest update brings a significant change with the addition of an HD icon. By selecting this icon, users can choose between the two quality presets mentioned earlier. In particular, end-to-end encryption is maintained for all images, whether in HD or not.
The rollout of this feature has started worldwide, although it may take a few weeks before it is accessible to all users. Additionally, the ability to share “HD” videos is expected soon after this update.
