There are already some benefits to buying a Nexus phone instead of other Android phones, like speedy OS updates. And according to a new leak, there may soon be one more benefit added to the list.
Google Photos was recently updated to version 1.21, and the folks at Android Police tore into the new app to see if there was any interesting tidbits hidden in the code. That’s precisely what they found, as there’s some text that suggests that Nexus device owners will get free original quality backup for their photos and videos. The text strings read “With Nexus, back up all you want!” and “Unlimited free storage for original quality photos & videos uploaded from your Nexus device.”
Google Photos currently offers two storage tiers. There’s a free High Quality setting that offers unlimited storage but will tweak the quality of photos above 16 megapixels and videos above 1080p in order to shrink their size. If you choose to upload in Original quality, though, your photos and videos will be backed up in their original sizes and left untouched.
While there currently aren’t any Nexus phones with cameras that exceed 16 megapixels, Google Photos still performs some tweaks to shrink the file sizes of photos below 16MP. So unlimited storage of Original-quality images would still come in handy. And when it comes to video, both the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P can capture 4K video, so that would be backed up at its original resolution, too.
It’s not known when this unlimited Original storage feature will launch for Nexus owners, but whenever it does, it’ll definitely make Nexus phones more tempting for a lot of people. Many folks rely on their smartphone as their only camera, and while Google Photos’ compressed images don’t look bad, being able to save all of your photos and videos at their original quality would be great for your memories.
Also found in the code of this Google Photos APK is a hint of sorting mode for albums that’ll include options for Newest First, Oldest First, and Recently Added. Google also appears to be prepping support for Exposure and Contrast controls for editing photos inside of the Google Photos app.