Ultra HDR image is coming in Android 14, probably in One UI 6 too

Android 14 Beta testing is underway, with a target to achieve the platform stability milestone by the next month. At I/O, Google unveiled Ultra HDR support for Image, which arriving in Android 14, and probably in One UI 6 too for Samsung Galaxy devices.

With Android 13, Google added support for HDR video, and it’s now coming to Image in Android 14 with an Ultra label. This new feature will deliver more realistic stills, courtesy of a greater range of brightness, colors, and contrast. It will be known as the “Ultra HDR” format, which is backward compatible with JPEG.

Following the stable update rollout, expected in August, premium smartphones will offer an Ultra HDR Image feature and the files can also be saved in the original 10-bit high dynamic range. Android’s native Google Photos app will support Ultra HDR for display, backup, editing, sharing, and downloading.

Google expects it to be the default format on both the built-in camera app and any in-app camera views.

Additionally, the search engine giant confirmed that the Android team is working with tech giants such as Qualcomm to optimize hardware capabilities, along with a collaboration with Chrome to make Ultra HDR available on other form factors.

Ultra HDR image

Ultra HDR Image support for Android 14 is a new feature that allows Android devices to capture and display images with a wider range of colors and contrast than is possible with standard JPEG images. This is achieved by using a new 10-bit HDR image format that can capture up to 1 billion colors.

Its support for Android 14 will be available on devices that have a compatible camera sensor and display. To take advantage of this feature, you will need to update your device to Android 14 and use a camera app that supports Ultra HDR.

Once you have taken an Ultra HDR image, you can view it in HDR mode on a compatible device by opening it in the Google Photos app. The development team says you may be surprised at the difference it makes in your photos. Here are some of the benefits of using Ultra HDR Image support for Android 14:

• Wider range of colors and contrast
• More realistic and immersive viewing experience
• Improved detail in shadows and highlights

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