Key Takeaways
1. WhatsApp Beta on Windows 11 has transitioned to a WebView2-based framework, aligning it more with WhatsApp Web.
2. The user interface resembles the previous app, but performance has decreased significantly.
3. The new version operates as a desktop container running multiple processes, making it less efficient than the former native app.
4. The WebView2 version uses about 30% more RAM compared to the native application, affecting reliability and user experience.
5. This change allows Meta to manage a single code base for all app versions, but it compromises WhatsApp’s performance and attractiveness.
A recent update for WhatsApp Beta on Windows 11 has replaced the original desktop application with a bulkier Microsoft WebView2-based framework. This change aligns the experience more closely with WhatsApp Web, resulting in the loss of numerous performance improvements that came with the native UWP (Universal Windows Platform) version.
User Interface Changes
As noted by Windows Latest, although the user interface closely resembles that of the previous native app, there are notable differences, primarily in performance which has slowed down. Microsoft’s new WebView2, utilized in Microsoft Edge, is based on the open-source Chromium project.
Performance Drawbacks
The latest WhatsApp Beta seems to function as a desktop container that executes web code, similar to how it operates in Edge. This shift means that the former native app, which was lightweight and used a single process, has been replaced. The new web-based version operates several processes in the background, which can be less efficient.
Resource Usage
According to tests conducted by Windows Latest, the WebView2 version consumes approximately 30% more RAM than the native application. The native version was not only more dependable but also provided superior notifications and a more seamless user interface. Moreover, it managed calls and screen sharing far more effectively.
Despite the lack of official explanation for this transition, using WebView2 simplifies the process for Meta by allowing them to manage a single code base for all app versions. However, this change results in WhatsApp appearing less appealing than it did previously and consuming more system resources.
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