Google is taking photo sharing on Android to the next level. Its popular messaging app, Google Messages, is rolling out a highly-anticipated feature that allows users to send photos in their original quality. This move aligns with the company’s ongoing push for Rich Communication Services (RCS) adoption, as RCS enables significantly higher-quality image transfers compared to traditional MMS.
HD and HD+: A Game-Changing Feature
The new feature introduces a toggle in the Google Messages Photo Picker labeled “HD” and “HD+.” While the labels might seem ambiguous, the functionality is straightforward. Tapping “HD” compresses images for quicker transfers and lower data usage, while “HD+” sends images in their original resolution, offering the best possible quality.
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This enhancement mirrors a similar feature already available in WhatsApp, which lets users choose between standard and high-definition image quality. However, Google Messages takes it a step further by offering an “HD+” option, ensuring no compression is applied.
Why It Matters
The ability to send uncompressed images is a game-changer for photographers and anyone sharing high-quality visuals. Whether it’s a family photo or a creative project, users no longer need to worry about grainy or pixelated results. This improvement arrives just in time for the holiday season, when sharing precious memories in their full glory becomes more important.
Google Messages’ support for original-quality photos is also a testament to the benefits of RCS. Unlike MMS, which drastically reduces image quality, RCS handles higher-quality data transfers efficiently, making it an appealing option for modern communication.
Integration with Ultra HDR
This feature builds on Ultra HDR capabilities introduced to Google Messages in late 2023, enabled by Android 14. Ultra HDR combines a standard JPEG image with additional metadata that retains the wider dynamic range of the original photo. This means that even if the recipient’s device doesn’t support HDR, the image will still display as a regular JPEG. If HDR is supported, the photo will showcase enhanced contrast and color depth, offering a richer visual experience.
In Beta but Coming Soon
Currently, the HD and HD+ toggles are available only in the beta version of Google Messages. Users who have signed up for the beta can try the feature immediately, while others may need to wait for a broader rollout. The exact timeline for the public release remains unclear, but given its presence in beta builds, it’s likely to debut soon.
How It Works
Once users select their desired resolution in the Photo Picker, an icon appears on the bottom right of the image, indicating the selected quality. While the HD option enables faster transfers, HD+ ensures the photo’s full resolution is preserved, albeit with increased data consumption and a slightly longer transfer time.
RCS Adoption Drives Innovation
The introduction of this feature underscores Google’s broader effort to popularize RCS. With major carriers like Verizon and Samsung embracing RCS support through Google Messages, its adoption has surged. The platform’s feature set, including message editing and advanced photo sharing, is helping it stand out as the premier RCS app on Android.
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As messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram compete for user attention, Google’s latest update strengthens its position. By offering uncompressed photo sharing, Google Messages is meeting the needs of a growing audience that values image quality alongside convenience.