Google is in the process of developing an “Enhanced HDR brightness” feature for the Android 16 QPR1 update, aimed at giving users more control over how HDR content affects their screen brightness. This feature will provide a toggle to completely disable HDR support and a slider to adjust the intensity of HDR effects. The goal is to minimize abrupt brightness changes that often occur when viewing HDR media, an issue that Samsung users have already addressed with a similar feature in their One UI 7.
When using smartphones at night, many people prefer lower brightness levels to avoid discomfort. However, HDR content can automatically increase brightness levels, leading to jarring shifts in screen lighting. While some applications have offered options to disable HDR support individually, Google aims to tackle this issue at the system level in the upcoming Android 16 release.
The new “Enhanced HDR brightness” setting, expected to appear under Settings > Display & touch > Enhanced HDR brightness, will allow users to control how much HDR content affects their screen’s brightness. With the feature off, HDR and standard images will display similarly. However, when the feature is enabled, users will be able to adjust the brightness of specific elements in HDR images, such as the sky or water, enhancing their viewing experience.
Users who have experienced the sudden brightness increases from social media apps like Instagram when encountering HDR images will likely find this new feature beneficial. While the “Enhanced HDR brightness” setting is not yet available in the current Android 16 QPR1 Beta, it is anticipated to be included in future updates. Samsung users, however, already have access to a comparable feature.
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