WhatsApp Gets 'HD Photos' Option for Sending High-Res Images

WhatsApp has released an update allowing iPhone and Android users to send photos over the messaging platform in high resolution, finally addressing the service's low quality image sharing limitation.

whatsapp hd photos
Previously, WhatsApp users sending photos would see the images automatically compressed and the resolution reduced to 920 x 1280 to save storage space and keep image-sharing fast over low bandwidth data connections.

After updating, they'll have the option to send images to friends and family in "HD quality," which equates to 3024 x 4032 resolution. The rollout of the feature was announced by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg via a Facebook post.

Version 23.16.0 of the app adds a "HD" button at the top of the photo sharing screen, next to the other image editing tools. Tapping the HD button brings up a pop-up allowing users to switch from the default Standard Quality to HD Quality.

Recipients of HD photos will see a HD label in the corner of the image, indicating that they have received a higher quality version, and all high resolution images are protected under WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption.

According to Meta, if a user's internet connection is low bandwidth, they will receive photos in Standard Quality, and will be able to choose to keep the standard version or upgrade it to HD where available.

The new feature is rolling out globally over the next few weeks, and Meta says the ability to send high resolution videos over WhatsApp is set to follow soon.

Top Rated Comments

hacky Avatar
6 weeks ago
Also who actually believes the WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption nowadays?

Meta = WhatsApp = Facebook = Zuckerberg.

It's hard to imagine "privacy" in this equation.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
H2SO4 Avatar
6 weeks ago

Also who actually believes the WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption nowadays?

Meta = WhatsApp = Facebook = Zuckerberg.

It's hard to imagine "privacy" in this equation.
I do.
If you have any evidence outside of hearsay and intuition, pls share with us.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hacky Avatar
6 weeks ago

"HD quality," which equates to 3024 x 4032 resolution.
Better than nothing I guess, but still quite low resolution in 2023. And also it's not just about the resolution - what about compression ratio?

12MP is nice, but if it's with some nice JPG artifacts then it suddenly is not much of a HD quality...
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
frumpywumpy Avatar
6 weeks ago

Also who actually believes the WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption nowadays?

Meta = WhatsApp = Facebook = Zuckerberg.

It's hard to imagine "privacy" in this equation.
Signal is still my go to
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
H2SO4 Avatar
6 weeks ago
About time. Been waiting for image option for ages.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cthompson94 Avatar
6 weeks ago
This is part of the reason people love iMessage. I am glad Whats App users can now send HD quality images, but I always found it funny even here in the forums when people would make comments like "I use Whats App I don't understand the iMessage vs everything else argument", because although iMessage does lack in some features that other message platforms have it wins in the basic modern times features people actually want. Friends and family that send me videos/photos through other means get so compressed, again I am glad that those who use Whats App gain this capability
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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