Google Photos Adds Ultra HDR Feature for Pixel 9 Users

Key Takeaways

1. Android 14 introduces the Ultra HDR format (JPEG_R) for enhanced image quality on compatible smartphones.
2. Users can now convert existing SDR photos to Ultra HDR using Google Photos version 7.24.0.747539053, with adjustable HDR intensity.
3. The Ultra HDR feature replaces the previous “HDR Effect” in Google Photos, utilizing AI for brightness optimization.
4. Ultra HDR images are compatible with SDR displays, ensuring they can be viewed on older screens.
5. The file size of Ultra HDR images increases by only about 25% due to added brightness metadata, not new HDR storage.

Since the introduction of Android 14, some Android smartphones can now store images in Google’s new Ultra HDR format, JPEG_R. These images showcase significantly enhanced contrast and leverage the high peak HDR brightness available on compatible AMOLED displays, like the one featured on the Google Pixel 9. This added brightness can also enhance the vibrancy of colors.

New Features for Users

Until now, users were required to manually turn on the Ultra HDR option in their camera app to capture these images. Nevertheless, Android Authority has recently noted that a number of users have managed to transform their existing SDR photos into Ultra HDR after updating their Google Photos app to version 7.24.0.747539053. To be precise, Ultra HDR has been integrated into the editing tools, allowing users to adjust HDR intensity on a scale from 0 to 100. As Google needs to enable this feature first, it isn’t yet accessible to everyone who has the latest Google Photos app.

Transition from Old to New

This new feature takes the place of the adjustable “HDR Effect” that existed in earlier versions of Google Photos. It seems that Google may be using AI technology to analyze the brightness levels in different areas of the photo and optimize them for HDR displays. Importantly, Ultra HDR images remain compatible with SDR displays, ensuring they can be viewed correctly even on older screens. The file size increases only by around 25%, as Google simply adds brightness metadata to the original SDR image rather than storing an entirely new HDR version.

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