WhatsApp introduces HD photo: Over the next few weeks, the HD photo sharing capability will be gradually rolled out to all WhatsApp users. This update allows Android, iOS, WhatsApp Web, and desktop users to exchange high-quality and high-resolution photographs in their chats. These photographs will be distinguished by a small ‘HD’ symbol. Meta has also verified that the ability to send HD videos would be added in the near future.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, announced the deployment of this function. When users attach an image to a chat thread, they will notice a ‘HD’ icon. The feature was tested in beta form earlier this year, with an emphasis on visual sharpness. It is crucial to note, however, that HD photos demand more data during transmission and take up more storage space than non-HD images.
WhatsApp’s ‘HD photos’ function involves the app applying mild compression on HD images. The app will offer the Standard non-HD option by default. Users who want to share high-quality photographs must explicitly select the HD option before sharing.
Meta has not disclosed how much compression will be done to HD photographs. There is no word on how these photographs will compare to those shared via services such as Apple’s iMessage or others. Importantly, HD photographs, like any other media shared on WhatsApp, will be protected by end-to-end encryption. Those with slower internet connections can download the regular version of the shared media.
Notably, WhatsApp has included a screen-sharing function during video calls, similar to Google Meet and Zoom. Participants appear in little rectangular tiles on one side of the screen during video calls, while the shared content takes up the dominant view.
