Back in May, Google introduced a new Ultra HDR format with the release of Android 14 Beta 2, which aims to bring support for 10-bit HDR images, which will be fully compatible with standard JPEG images. This way, the system will display SDR images on non-HDR screens, but colors and contrast will pop when displayed on an HDR-enabled panel.
The first app to bring support for Google’s new Ultra HDR format is none other than Google Photos. In version 6.51.0.561138754, AssembleDebug found a few strings pointing at Ultra HDR support. Other third-party apps will be able to take advantage of the feature with Android 14.
This is actually a pretty neat feature, as it will allow you to take full advantage of your modern display and camera setup on your most recent phone and show your photos in great quality while retaining the JPEG format. This way, you can send those pictures via a Google Photos link and they can still be visible even on a standard SDR screen. They won’t look as good, of course, for obvious reasons.
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