WhatsApp is set to enhance its Android application with a new feature designed to streamline the sharing of high-quality images and videos. This update will introduce an option that allows users to choose between sending media in HD or standard quality. Once a preference is selected, the application will remember this setting for all subsequent uploads.
This feature was identified by WABetaInfo, a platform dedicated to tracking WhatsApp updates, in the latest beta version for Android, specifically build 2.24.7.17. The beta version was made available to testers on Monday through the Google Play Beta Program. This update aims to grant users direct control over the upload quality of their media via the Settings menu, effectively removing the need for repeated selections with each upload.
A screenshot from the report indicates that a new option has been integrated within the Storage and data settings, labeled Media upload quality. Users will have the ability to choose between Standard quality and HD quality. Once a selection is made, all future uploads will align with the chosen preference.
Previously, WhatsApp launched the HD Photo Sharing feature in August 2023, quickly followed by support for high-resolution video sharing. However, users had to manually select their desired media quality every time they sent files. While this feature was useful for those who typically preferred standard media but occasionally shared higher-quality files, it added an extra layer of complexity for users who favored a consistent medium.
The anticipated update from WhatsApp promises to simplify this process. Users will still have access to the preview screen option for changing media quality, but it will now reflect the default preference established in the Settings. While this feature is currently reported to be available for Android, there is no confirmation regarding its rollout for iOS or the desktop versions of the app. Additionally, users should be aware that these options do not permit sending files in their original resolution, particularly for larger files; such items must be shared as documents.
