YouTube has just revealed that it is expanding support for HDR video playback on select Android devices, although no HDR support for iOS has been announced. According to TechCrunch, YouTube mobile HDR is currently rolling out to Pixel, LG V30, Samsung Galaxy S8 and Note8 and Sony Experia XZ Premium devices, through the YouTube mobile app.
The company says it will continue to work with mobile industry partners to bring HDR playback to more devices over time. With support for HDR, videos offer better picture quality, with higher contrast that allows you to see more vibrant colors and make out more of the image in darker scenes.
The technology is still not broadly adopted, but YouTube today points to a few other resources for finding HDR quality videos, including on Youtube.com/4K or HDR shelf, as well as in videos such as Venice Carnival in 4K HDR 60P (UHD), The Redwoods | Shot on Epic-W with HELIUM 8K S35 Sensor 8K HDR, and Peru 8K HDR 60FPS (FUHD).
Analysts expect HDR TV sets to surpass 4K sets, with shipments reaching 245 million units by 2022. However, making HDR video available via mobile could broaden its adoption, given that many consumers already have these devices in hand.
YouTube has also been working with creators who want to take advantage of the HDR technology, for the past one year. It also made HDR recording gear available in some of its YouTube Spaces, including New York and L.A.
