Threads for Android now supports Ultra HDR images and 10-bit HDR video on Pixel
Threads for Android now supports Ultra HDR images and 10-bit HDR videos on Pixel 7/7 Pro/Fold/8/8 Pro with Android 14. Users can view this content, but Pixel devices don't capture Ultra HDR by default.
The latest Google Pixel Feature Drop included official Ultra HDR image support for Instagram. However, Threads, another Meta-owned social media application, has also quietly added compatibility for this format. While the official Play Store update notes only bug fixes and performance improvements, users with compatible Pixel devices can now view Ultra HDR images and 10-bit HDR videos within the app.
This functionality requires a compatible display, limiting support to Pixel 7, 7 Pro, Fold, 8, and 8 Pro models. Testing on a Pixel 8 Pro confirms successful rendering of Ultra HDR content, identifiable by the dimmed background and UI elements.
It's important to note that Pixel devices do not capture Ultra HDR images by default. Uploading standard HDR images to Threads will not provide the same visual experience. To enable Ultra HDR capture, users should navigate to the Google Camera app Settings > More Settings > Advanced > Ultra HDR and toggle the option on. Similarly, 10-bit HDR video recording can be activated within the Camera app Settings menu. However, frame rates for HDR video are limited to 30fps for both 1080p and 4K UHD resolutions on Pixel phones.
This development aligns with Google's recent study highlighting Meta's focus on improving internal Android app development. Threads' newfound compatibility with Ultra HDR and 10-bit HDR on Pixel devices running Android 14 exemplifies this progress.
