WhatsApp announces HD pictures feature

TECH DESK: WhatsApp, the popular messaging app, has unveiled an eagerly anticipated feature that enables users to send High-Definition (HD) pictures.

want to see life in HD? ✨ now the choice to send HD photos in chat is up to you. pic.twitter.com/z0gE7tIAuo

— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) August 17, 2023

Mark Zuckerberg, the company’s CEO, confirmed that this new capability will soon be accessible to users worldwide, with the rollout expected to take a few weeks to complete. The company has also hinted at the imminent introduction of HD video sharing on the platform.

Previously, WhatsApp automatically compressed images to optimize storage and enhance sharing speed. However, the app’s latest update empowers users to select and send photos in pristine clarity, offering a choice between Standard Definition (SD) and HD quality.

For the convenience of users, the default photo-sharing mode will remain set at SD quality. Yet, the introduction of the ‘HD’ option at the top of the screen gives users the freedom to choose superior image quality before sending. This pioneering feature ensures that each photo maintains its high-quality resolution throughout transmission.

Moreover, WhatsApp is introducing an option for users to determine whether they wish to save photos in HD quality. This feature proves especially useful in situations where internet connectivity may be limited. An HD watermark positioned at the bottom-left corner of images serves as a clear indicator of their enhanced quality.

The company has revealed that the HD photo-sharing feature will be accessible to all users in the coming weeks.  WhatsApp enthusiasts can anticipate the upcoming launch of HD-quality video sharing.

This enhancement has already undergone testing by users of the app’s beta version on both Android and iOS platforms.