Mishaal Rahman from Android Authority reports that Xiaomi is now supporting Google’s Ultra HDR image format on their latest smartphones. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Xiaomi 14T Pro, and Xiaomi Mix Flip are able to capture photos in Ultra HDR, a format that combines both SDR and HDR versions of an image in one file. This feature was introduced in last year’s Android 14 update to preserve the vibrant colors captured by modern smartphones while still being compatible with older devices without HDR displays.
Xiaomi, currently the world’s second-largest smartphone maker according to Counterpoint Research, has released flagship devices this year that are compatible with Ultra HDR. The Xiaomi 14 series, Xiaomi Mix Flip, Xiaomi Mix Fold 4, and the newly announced Xiaomi 14T series all support the format. However, the Xiaomi 14 and last year’s Xiaomi 13T Pro do not.
The adoption of Ultra HDR by Xiaomi is significant as it improves the sharing of HDR photos taken on their devices. These photos can now be viewed in their full glory on other devices with HDR displays from brands like Google, Samsung, OPPO, and OnePlus. However, third-party camera apps and some social media platforms may not fully support Ultra HDR at this time.
Xiaomi’s move to embrace Ultra HDR is expected to encourage more platforms and apps to adopt the format. With major Android smartphone manufacturers now supporting Ultra HDR, the hope is for mid-range and budget devices to also offer compatibility in the future. Google may play a role in pushing for wider adoption by making Ultra HDR support a requirement in upcoming Android versions.