Google Photos is starting to offer a new feature that will allow you to convert regular photos to the format Ultra HDR. This adjustment brings more vibrant colors, better contrast, and an overall more realistic image, especially on devices with HDR displays.
Ultra The HDR format was introduced with Android 14 and combines standard (SDR) and high dynamic range (HDR) images in a single file. This makes such photos backward compatible. They will also display correctly on older devices, just without the highlighted effect. New option to convert regular photos to Ultra HDR has started appearing in the app Google Photos in version 7.24.0.747539053. Although many users may already have this version installed, the feature is not yet visible to everyone. Google is gradually activating it on the server side.
Gallery
Once available, the feature will be available in the “Edit” section of the photo editor, replacing the existing “HDR effect” option. Users will also be able to adjust the intensity of the effect using a slider. The edited photo will display a Ultra HDR and interestingly, the resulting file is often smaller than the original. This is because it uses a gain map feature that preserves brightness information without having to save the full HDR version of the image. For the full experience, you need an HDR display and support Ultra HDR in your system or browser.
