This archive report was first published on 22 October 2019.
Google to Fix Google Photos Loophole Favoring iPhones ¶
Google Pixel 4's announcement in 2019 came with a surprising twist: it would be the first Pixel phone to not provide all users with free unlimited original-quality backups on Google Photos. However, a 'loophole' allows owners of newer iPhone models to get free unlimited original-quality storage in the Google cloud.
The loophole is attributed to the HEIC file format used by newer iPhones since 2017. HEIC photos are smaller and more efficient than JPEG, which means Google doesn't need to compress or process them, saving both storage space and computing power.
According to Redditor stephenvsawyer, 'Apple is literally saving Google millions of dollars by shooting their photos in HEIC and it benefits iPhone users as well because we get free original quality backups.'
Google Photos' unlimited 'high quality' free storage does compressed backups of photos up to 16 megapixels, while the paid 'original quality' storage does uncompressed backups of any resolution. However, since the top-of-the-line iPhone 11 Pro Max tops out at 12 megapixels per photo, the HEIC photos being backed up by Google Photos are both uncompressed and full resolution.
Google is yet to implement HEIC support in Pixel phones running the latest OS. When or if it does, Pixel 4 phones should be able to take advantage of this free unlimited original quality backup benefit as well.
However, it remains unclear what this fix would entail. Will Google block iPhones from gaining unlimited storage at original quality, or will it bring the feature to compatible Android phones?
