A few weeks ago, WhatsApp introduced the ability to send and receive HD-quality images and videos. Now, it is reportedly working on a feature that extends HD-quality media uploads to status updates, as more and more phones now have at least Full HD+ resolution screens, and lower-quality files don't look good on such screens.
As reported by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp beta's latest version (2.23.26.3) features an HD icon on the top of the screen when uploading media to status updates. Clicking on the HD icon lets you select higher-resolution images and videos, offering higher-quality visuals when viewing status updates. For years, people have struggled with compressed images and videos on WhatsApp, and it looks like the company finally wants to improve those aspects by offering higher-quality images and videos all around.
Prior to this feature, some people used a workaround for higher-quality media in status updates. Users found that they could send an HD image or video to themselves and then forward it to the Status update. However, even that method wasn't always reliable. Now that the new feature has been leaked, people can expect it to arrive within the next few months. It isn't clear if the HD icon is visible on status updates that have higher-quality media files.
This new feature is still under testing, and even beta testers haven't received this feature yet. So, it is possible that the company is testing it internally, and it could then come to beta testers and then to everyone else. WhatsApp is also working on a feature that let's users share their status updates to Instagram stories when their accounts are linked via the central Meta account.
