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Whatsapp is currently developing a way for users to send images in their original resolution without sacrificing quality.
WABetaInfo, the discovered the function (opens in new tab), reports that users can choose photo quality via a new settings menu in the app’s drawing tool. The current version of WhatsApp allows you to choose “Best Quality” before sending pictures to keep the resolution high, but it still compresses files – just to a lesser extent to ensure a fast data transfer time. Still, this newfound level of control is particularly helpful in situations where the quality of a photo is important, as WABetaInfo points out. Not much more is known about this feature, but it’s probably safe to say that sending images in their native resolution will most likely increase data transfer time, download time, and the amount of space required on a device to store these files.
As mentioned, the original image resolution feature is under development, so it won’t be part of an upcoming WhatsApp beta or launching any time soon. It’s also worth noting that the update on the Android version of WhatsApp was spotted without mentioning whether or not the original image resolution feature will come to iOS.
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WABetaInfo also revealed new shortcuts for WhatsApp Mobile (opens in new tab). With these shortcuts, group chat admins can “quickly and easily perform actions… [and] simplify some interactions with group members”. The full scope of this feature is unknown, but according to one example, admins can choose to highlight phone numbers when someone joins or leaves a group chat. Additionally, admins can create a new context menu for themselves for specific actions like calling chat participants privately or adding them to their contacts.
These shortcuts are particularly useful when dealing with large groups. Already in November 2022, WhatsApp started communities: Large chats with room for 1024 participants. With chats this big, admins need all the tools they can get to manage everything. This shortcut feature will definitely be a great boon for them.
And unlike the original image quality feature, the shortcuts are currently available for both Android and iOS via their respective WhatsApp betas. Unfortunately for iPhone owners who TestFlight program for WhatsApp (opens in new tab) no longer accepts newcomers. If you’re already a participant, you can just download the beta, no problem. Android users can still participate Google Play Store beta program (opens in new tab)however.
2023 is set to be a big year for WhatsApp. In January alone, WABetaInfo unveiled a slew of beta features for the messaging app, like the ability to record statuses with your voice and a revamped chat transfer that removes Google Drive from the equation. Be sure to check out the latest from TechRadar WhatsApp beta coverage.
