Google Photos to Introduce Ultra HDR for Standard Images, Report Claims

Google Photos is reportedly rolling out a new feature designed to transform standard images into Ultra HDR photos, offering enhanced image quality. According to reports, this new editing tool is available in the latest version of the app for Android, allowing users to repurpose regular photos with additional image data. The result is enhanced vibrancy, brighter highlights, and deeper shadows on compatible HDR screens.

The feature was first discovered by Telegram user @greyishere and was subsequently reported by Mishaal Rahman of Android Authority. The Ultra HDR option appears in the Adjust section of the in-app photo editor after updating to version 7.24.0.747539053. It replaces the previous “HDR Effect” setting, giving users a new way to enhance their images with more dynamic range after they’ve already been captured.

Ultra HDR aims to bring more detail to photos originally shot in Standard Dynamic Range (SDR), providing the benefits of HDR without the need for special hardware. This means that highlights will appear brighter and shadows darker, all while retaining fine details—on HDR-compatible displays. The best part is that these edited images can still be displayed properly on non-HDR screens, ensuring they’re universally accessible.

The feature was first spotted in development back in September 2023, though it was not widely available at that time. Users had to tinker with the app’s settings to activate it manually. Now, with its official rollout, Ultra HDR images are also optimized for smaller file sizes thanks to a more efficient gain map, which contains luminosity data and helps tailor the display experience across both SDR and HDR devices.