Smartphones & Tablets | August 31, 2023
Photography and video recording have become fundamental aspects when buying a new mobile phone; that’s why it’s strange that many apps don’t fully leverage the potential of the new sensors and algorithms used by these devices.
WhatsApp is the most peculiar example. Although it was initially designed as a mobile-only app, it has been severely limited in terms of image and video quality that users can share on its platform until recently. Fortunately, things are gradually changing.
Not too long ago, WhatsApp announced the arrival of high-definition images for Spanish users. This change allows sharing photos through WhatsApp chats at a much higher resolution than usual, resulting in sharper and more beautiful images.
Now, it’s time for videos. The latest update of the app for iOS and Android allows sending high-definition videos through WhatsApp; specifically, the change is seen starting from version 2.23.17.74 of the WhatsApp app. This is a significant change that should be noticeable; however, there’s still a bit more to improve in this area.
Currently, it’s still not possible to send 4K videos through WhatsApp, likely due to the large file sizes and the strain it would put on the company’s servers. Nevertheless, the improvement should be apparent, especially on modern mobiles with AMOLED screens or high resolution.
Until now, WhatsApp was only capable of sending videos in “standard” resolution, which means 480p resolution; that’s the same as an old YouTube video, so it’s not exactly up to the standards that many users expect. With the new option, we can send videos at 720p resolution, although the exact resolution will depend on the video’s size and aspect ratio.
720p resolution isn’t incredibly high by today’s standards, but it should be more suitable for sharing recordings with friends or family. The video should be less blurry, and details should be better appreciated. The new option appears when you’re about to send a video in a chat; it shows up as an “HD” button, which, when pressed, allows you to switch to HD quality. The app will indicate the resolution and file size, which is important if you’re using a mobile internet connection.
