Say Goodbye to Low-Quality Videos on WhatsApp: HD Option Coming Soon

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WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion active users. It has become a very good tool for chats. It allows people to send messages, make voice and video calls, and share media files with friends and family. One of the limitations of WhatsApp, however, has been the quality of videos that users can share. Currently, users can only send videos with a maximum resolution of 640 x 640 pixels. However, recent reports suggest that WhatsApp will soon allow users to send HD-quality videos. 

According to WABetaInfo, some beta testers on WhatsApp beta for Android v2.23.14.10 has an HD button while sharing videos. When the users tap this option, it allows them to select the quality of the video – standard or HD. The beta testers confirm that the HD option takes a longer time to send the videos. However, it has a far better video quality than the standard version which remains at 640 x 640 pixels. The report reveals that the default option is the standard option and users will have to manually select the HD option if they need it. WABetaInfo claims that WhatsApp also tags HD videos so that users can know the quality of the video they are sending. 

According to AndroidPolice, this HD video option may roll out to more beta testers in the coming weeks. The report also claims that the stable version could arrive in a few week’s time.

How will it work?

The process of sending HD videos on WhatsApp will be similar to the current process of sending videos. Users will be able to select the video they want to send and then choose the option to send it. However, instead of being limited to 640 x 640 pixels, users will now be able to select the option to send the video in HD. This will ensure that the video is sent with the highest possible quality.

What are the benefits of this feature?

The new HD-quality video feature on WhatsApp will benefit users in several ways, including:

1. Better image and sound quality: The new feature will allow users to send videos with a resolution of up to 1080p, which is a significant improvement over the current limit of 640 x 640 pixels. This means that users will be able to share videos with more detail and clarity, making it easier to see what is going on in the video.
2. Larger file sizes: The new feature will also allow users to send larger video files. This is will be useful to users who want to share longer videos. This includes videos of special moments such as weddings, birthdays, and other events.
3. Reduced compression artifacts: Currently, WhatsApp compresses videos to standard quality from their original quality. However, the new HD-quality video feature will reduce compression. It will also ensure that users get a more immersive viewing experience.

Whatever has a positive side also has a negative side. Here are a few cons that comes with the feature

1. Users will need more data to send videos in HD quality. The clearer the video, the more the data used. We can see from the screenshot above from a beta tester that a video that weighs 6.3MB on the standard option, weighs 12MB on the HD option
2. Users will have to wait for a longer time to send or download videos in such quality

What do WhatsApp rivals offer at the moment?

WhatsApp’s new HD-quality video feature will bring it in line with other messaging apps that already allow users to send high-quality videos. Here’s how the feature compares to other messaging apps:

1. Messenger: Messenger is another popular messaging app that allows users to make video calls and send videos. However, Messenger tends to compromise on video quality to accommodate poorer internet connections. With poorer internet connections, Messenger tries to maintain its quality or completely shuts off the call. WhatsApp, on the other hand, tends to scale down the video quality in an attempt to accommodate even the poorest of connections.
2. Telegram: Telegram is a messaging app that allows users to send videos with a maximum resolution of 1080p. This means that users can already send high-quality videos on the platform, which is similar to the new feature that WhatsApp is introducing.
3. Signal: Signal is another messaging app that allows users to send videos with a maximum resolution of 1080p. This means that users can already send high-quality videos on the platform, which is similar to the new feature that WhatsApp is introducing.
4. iMessage: iMessage is a messaging app that is exclusive to Apple devices. It allows users to send videos with a maximum resolution of 4K. This means that users can already send high-quality videos on the platform, which is better than the new feature that WhatsApp is introducing.

The new HD-quality video feature on WhatsApp will bring it in line with other messaging apps that already allow users to send high-quality videos. While some messaging apps like iMessage offer even higher quality videos, the new feature on WhatsApp is a huge improvement over the current limit of 640 x 640 pixels.

Final Words

The ability to send HD-quality videos on WhatsApp is a welcome addition to the platform. It will improve the overall quality of videos that are shared on the platform and bring it in line with other messaging apps. Additionally, the ability to add subtitles and captions to videos will make it easier for users to understand and enjoy the videos that are shared on the platform. As WhatsApp continues to evolve and add new features, it is likely that it will remain one of the most popular messaging apps in the world.