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WhatsApp, the popular messaging app owned by Meta, is introducing an exciting upgrade that allows users to share high-definition (HD) photos through the platform. The announcement was made by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on his Instagram broadcast channel and via a Facebook post. This feature, which preserves the quality and resolution of shared photos, was previously in beta testing with a limited group of users.
During the summer, observant users noticed that the option became available in the Android beta version of WhatsApp and the TestFlight app for iOS, indicating an imminent public launch.
To access the new HD photo sharing feature, users need to update their app to the latest release. Once updated, a new “HD” button will appear at the top of the photo-sharing screen, alongside other editing tools such as rotation and text/sticker addition. Upon tapping the HD button, a pop-up window will prompt users to select their preferred photo quality. The default option, Standard Quality, remains in place to ensure efficient and fast sharing. However, users can now choose the HD quality to share high-definition versions of their photos.
When the recipient receives the shared HD photo, they will notice an “HD” label displayed in the bottom left corner, indicating that a higher-quality image has been shared. It’s important to note that WhatsApp employs end-to-end encryption to secure all shared photos.
The company also highlighted that users with low bandwidth connectivity can make a decision on a photo-by-photo basis whether to keep the standard version or upgrade it to HD when receiving photos.
The rollout of the HD photo sharing feature is scheduled to take place over the next few weeks, benefitting WhatsApp users globally. Additionally, WhatsApp plans to introduce support for HD videos in the near future, further enhancing the platform’s media-sharing capabilities.
The introduction of HD photo and impending HD video support reflects WhatsApp’s commitment to providing its users with enhanced quality and a more immersive media-sharing experience. This move also aligns with Meta’s broader strategy of improving its suite of platforms and services to meet evolving user expectations.