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Google Photos: Original vs High Quality [Quick Explanation]
3 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
TheGoogle Photos web appprovides 15 GB of free storage space for your favorite photographs and images. With this app, you can edit photographs and set up slideshow albums for them.
Google Photos includes two alternative upload options for photos. And this can confuse some people.
You can select anOriginalorHigh Qualitysetting for uploading images.
If you’re wondering what the difference is between those settings, you’ve come to the right page!
High quality vs. Original Google Photo upload options
What’s the difference between the Original and High Quality upload settings?
The primary difference between the two upload options is that theHigh Qualitysetting compresses photographs. Selecting that option can reduce both the resolution and file size of uploaded photos and videos.
In contrast, theOriginaloption doesn’t compress snapshots. Thus, uploading them with that setting will ensure they are saved with their original resolutions.
What should I choose to preserve the original picture quality?
TheOriginalsetting is certainly the best for preserving original picture quality as no compression is applied to photos or videos. That’s especially the case for photos that eclipse 16 MP as theHigh Qualityoption will reduce them to exactly a 16 MP resolution.
Selecting High Quality won’t have so much impact on lower resolutionimages. However, photos with resolutions less than 16 MP might still be scaled down when uploaded to Google Photos with thisoptionselected.
What’s the best option to select for saving storage space in Google Photos?
High Qualityis the best option for saving storage space in Google Photos. Its compression will always reduce the file size of photographs uploaded to Google Photos
High quality is even better forsaving storage spaceas it comes with unlimited with free storage. That means photographs and videos uploaded with that setting selected won’t consume any of your Google Photos storage space at all.
In that respect, the High Qualityimage compressionmight seem a little pointless.
However, remember that your image files will still be the same reduced file size when you download them to your hard drive.
How can I change the photo upload setting in Photos?
So, select theOriginaloption if you need to retain the original picture quality of your photos and photos.
TheHigh qualitysetting will impact picture quality primarily by reducing image resolutions, but it will save you a lot of storage space inGoogle Photos.
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Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
Matthew is a freelancer who has produced a variety of articles on various topics related to technology. His main focus is the Windows OS and all the things surrounding it.
He is passionate about the tech world, always staying up-to-date with the latest and greatest. With an analytical view, he likes problem-solving, focusing on errors and their causes.
In his free time, he likes to read and write about history and tries to always develop new skills.
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Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
He is passionate about everything surrounding Microsoft’s OS, focusing on troubleshooting guides & tips for everyday problems.
