Google Messages, a leading messaging platform with over a billion monthly users, is enhancing its Rich Communication Services (RCS) capabilities. A highly anticipated feature allowing users to send photos in original quality is now rolling out in beta, signaling a broader release soon. This upgrade addresses a key limitation of previous versions, where image compression often compromised visual fidelity.
Sharing Photos in Original Quality
This new feature provides a significant improvement over the standard “optimized for chat” option, which compresses images to reduce data usage. While compression speeds up sending and receiving, it often sacrifices image detail. The original quality option preserves the full resolution and detail of your photos, ensuring recipients see exactly what you captured.
Here’s how to activate the original quality setting:
- Tap the Media Quality Button: Look for the HD/HD+ symbol in the top-right corner of the screen while composing a message.
- Choose Original Quality: A menu will appear with two options: “Optimized for chat” and “Original quality.” Select “Original quality.”
- Select and Send: Choose the image you want to send and tap the send button.
Sharing high-quality photos in Google Messages.
Considerations and Future Updates
While sending photos in original quality ensures optimal visual fidelity, it’s important to be mindful of data usage. Uncompressed images will consume more data than their compressed counterparts, which could be a factor for users with limited data plans. Also, sending larger files may take slightly longer.
Currently, enabling this feature sets it as the default for all chats. Individual chat settings are not yet supported, but this functionality may be added in future updates.
Beta Availability and Expected Release
The original quality feature is currently available in the Google Messages beta version 20241118_03_RC00. A wider public release is anticipated in the coming weeks, pending any necessary refinements during the beta testing phase. This update further solidifies Google Messages’ commitment to providing a rich and seamless messaging experience.
