Alternative to iMessage (photo quality)

[pika2000]

As a multi-system user, I always try to see alternatives available on each platform.
One thing I like about iMessage is that it sends high quality photos (original), so one can save them for other uses safely. (correct me if I'm wrong though, but that's my impression). Downside, obviously, iOS only.

Meanwhile, the other messaging apps (Whatsapp, Line, Wechat, etc) all seem to send a hugely reduced quality photo, which look fine on a tiny screen, but not something you usually use for anything else.

Is there a messaging platform, preferably universal (not Android/iOS exclusive), that can send photos at high quality?
Some notes:
- I don't want to send them as "files." Target audience are not techies.
- I don't want to send them as links/email, etc. Same reason above.

 

[LTENETWORK]

I dunno how works Android Messages. Does it send photos as MMS or same as Whatsapp, iMessages. But yeah I'm looking for same.

 

[pika2000]

I dunno how works Android Messages. Does it send photos as MMS or same as Whatsapp, iMessages. But yeah I'm looking for same.

Android messages is just a traditional SMS app, and yes, it simply uses MMS, which is a ton worse. So that's a no go.

 

[nrvna76]

I don’t think an equivalent alternative exists yet. I think the closest thing is Samsung’s/Apple’s creating and sending links to send full quality photos.

 

[AustinIllini]

There isn't an alternative. It has been a shortcoming of Android for some time.

The annoying part is Google could go and do it fairly easily

 

[co.ag.2005]

As a multi-system user, I always try to see alternatives available on each platform.
One thing I like about iMessage is that it sends high quality photos (original), so one can save them for other uses safely. (correct me if I'm wrong though, but that's my impression). Downside, obviously, iOS only.

Meanwhile, the other messaging apps (Whatsapp, Line, Wechat, etc) all seem to send a hugely reduced quality photo, which look fine on a tiny screen, but not something you usually use for anything else.

Is there a messaging platform, preferably universal (not Android/iOS exclusive), that can send photos at high quality?
Some notes:
- I don't want to send them as "files." Target audience are not techies.
- I don't want to send them as links/email, etc. Same reason above.

Telegram seems to be able to. You do have to send it as a "file" (I know you said you don't want that) but it shows up as a thumbnail in the conversation and a quick click of the thumbnail reveals the full size... just a thought.

 

[shelt]

The easiest way is to use something like Google Photos for uploading your photos, then share a link from Google Photos. Simple to do and you "send" full original quality photos or videos with a tiny link. That's how I share from my Pixel 3XL.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Funny what some see as a shortcoming of Android I see as an advantage

As the OP stated the "Target audience are not techies" and for this reason I am happy for many who do not want to be spammed a deluge of massive files by inexperienced users

Many forget that most do not have unlimited data if data at all let alone unlimited sms/mms which many countries have stealth charges for providing this

Imessage popularity is limited to just a few countries and even then is only ranked typically 3rd and the few little niceties are soon lost once some of your contacts are not an Iphone users which is its biggest shortcoming

 

[pika2000]

Telegram seems to be able to. You do have to send it as a "file" (I know you said you don't want that) but it shows up as a thumbnail in the conversation and a quick click of the thumbnail reveals the full size... just a thought.

Thanks, but although it seems "easy" for us, I find that it's not as straightforward for some.
Also, what I find is not all gallery/photos app behave the same. Eg. Samsung's gallery and Google's own Photos app can show picture from other folders, but that is only when you go to Albums/Device folders. Photos in download folder don't appear in the general Pictures tab. And I find that it takes more effort to teach one of new behavior/new app.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Thanks, but although it seems "easy" for us, I find that it's not as straightforward for some.
Also, what I find is not all gallery/photos app behave the same. Eg. Samsung's gallery and Google's own Photos app can show picture from other folders, but that is only when you go to Albums/Device folders. Photos in download folder don't appear in the general Pictures tab. And I find that it takes more effort to teach one of new behavior/new app.

My download folder pictures show in the general pictures tab on my S10+

 

[pika2000]

The easiest way is to use something like Google Photos for uploading your photos, then share a link from Google Photos. Simple to do and you "send" full original quality photos or videos with a tiny link. That's how I share from my Pixel 3XL.

It might be simple for us, but that is not simple for many lay users.

 

[csurfr]

With RCS in in Android Messages now, if both carriers support it, it will send photos like iMessage does. Full size. You can find out if your carrier supports it by opening Android Messages, going to settings, advanced, and selecting the enable chat features at the top if it exists .

 

[AnonMac50]

I know LINE has an option in its settings where you can select to send the full quality image instead of the default reduced quality image.

 

[Coffee_Time]

As a multi-system user, I always try to see alternatives available on each platform.
One thing I like about iMessage is that it sends high quality photos (original), so one can save them for other uses safely. (correct me if I'm wrong though, but that's my impression). Downside, obviously, iOS only.

Meanwhile, the other messaging apps (Whatsapp, Line, Wechat, etc) all seem to send a hugely reduced quality photo, which look fine on a tiny screen, but not something you usually use for anything else.

Is there a messaging platform, preferably universal (not Android/iOS exclusive), that can send photos at high quality?
Some notes:
- I don't want to send them as "files." Target audience are not techies.
- I don't want to send them as links/email, etc. Same reason above.

You can send via whatsapp original quality by attaching the photo as a document. It's been there for ages. What do you mean by not sending as files? Sending as what if not files? It really amuses me how ios users think their imessage is the only platform capable of doing this.
[doublepost=1555142282][/doublepost]

 

[pika2000]

You can send via whatsapp original quality by attaching the photo as a document. It's been there for ages. What do you mean by not sending as files? Sending as what if not files? It really amuses me how ios users think their imessage is the only platform capable of doing this.
[doublepost=1555142282][/doublepost] View attachment 831887 View attachment 831888

This is why I actually hated asking question here. People are just elitist douches.
My questions are clear, and the others seem to be able to understand and respond without being a douche. And documents are files.
And I don't see why I have to proof myself just because I use both iOS and Android.
[doublepost=1555155995][/doublepost]

With RCS in in Android Messages now, if both carriers support it, it will send photos like iMessage does. Full size. You can find out if your carrier supports it by opening Android Messages, going to settings, advanced, and selecting the enable chat features at the top if it exists .

Yeah... I doubt we will see that common place anytime soon.
[doublepost=1555156076][/doublepost]

I know LINE has an option in its settings where you can select to send the full quality image instead of the default reduced quality image.

I have to check this. I used to use Line and propagate it, but it became unreliable, slow, and archaic compared to other platforms so I haven't used it for a while. Will have to revisit. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[LTENETWORK]

EE doesn't support RSC and when or even will support it. Doh...

 

[AnonMac50]

This is why I actually hated asking question here. People are just elitist douches.
My questions are clear, and the others seem to be able to understand and respond without being a douche. And documents are files.
And I don't see why I have to proof myself just because I use both iOS and Android.
[doublepost=1555155995][/doublepost]
Yeah... I doubt we will see that common place anytime soon.
[doublepost=1555156076][/doublepost]
I have to check this. I used to use Line and propagate it, but it became unreliable, slow, and archaic compared to other platforms so I haven't used it for a while. Will have to revisit. Thanks for the heads up.

No worries, good luck.

Also, WeChat allows you to send full quality images as well. When sending an image, make sure to tap on the “send full quality” checkbox (my memory’s a bit hazy, I can’t remember the exact naming). It would show up after tapping into the image I believe.

 

[csurfr]

Yeah... I doubt we will see that common place anytime soon.

In the U.S, three of the four carriers already support this. I would expect you will see wider adoption soon.

 

[pika2000]

In the U.S, three of the four carriers already support this. I would expect you will see wider adoption soon.

Sure...
So, since you seem to be well versed about it, how does it handle sending photos to international numbers? Since iMessage and the likes use data, they are not bound to SMS/MMS/international charges. I wonder how RCS works.

 

[tbayrgs]

Sure...
So, since you seem to be well versed about it, how does it handle sending photos to international numbers? Since iMessage and the likes use data, they are not bound to SMS/MMS/international charges. I wonder how RCS works.

Presently, based on the little bit that I've read, RCS has barely started to roll out and it's fragmented as hell because each carrier is implementing their own proprietary version limited to their own messaging apps. For it to be a full fledged ubiquitous messaging platform, each carrier needs to support RCS-UP (Universal Platform) and that's happening at a proverbial snails pace.

We likely won't see widespread adoption for a long time since we're really at the mercy of the carriers. And even then, international compatibility seems to be yet another hurdle as typical US plans don't presently include international SMS/MMS.

 

[csurfr]

Sure...
So, since you seem to be well versed about it, how does it handle sending photos to international numbers? Since iMessage and the likes use data, they are not bound to SMS/MMS/international charges. I wonder how RCS works.

My understanding of RCS (and as noted above) if the carriers implement the UP that it will work as iMessage does and send via data instead of SMS / MMS regardless of the number. The carriers in the U.S were all over the place, but seem to have settled on the UP, which Verizon rolled out recently. T-Mobile was the first carrier in the U.S to adopt the new standard years ago.

 

[pika2000]

Presently, based on the little bit that I've read, RCS has barely started to roll out and it's fragmented as hell because each carrier is implementing their own proprietary version limited to their own messaging apps. For it to be a full fledged ubiquitous messaging platform, each carrier needs to support RCS-UP (Universal Platform) and that's happening at a proverbial snails pace.

We likely won't see widespread adoption for a long time since we're really at the mercy of the carriers. And even then, international compatibility seems to be yet another hurdle as typical US plans don't presently include international SMS/MMS.

That's the thing. If this protocol is still tied to the traditional SMS/MMS charges, then it's a no go. One of the reasons iMessage (and the rest of messaging platforms) took off was that it bypass the traditional carrier charges and simply uses data.

Anyway, seems like the "closest" candidates are Line and WeChat. I read that Facebook messenger supports photos up to 4k resolution, which is not bad (considering whatsapp resizes photos to 800x600), so maybe that's another option of "better than nothing."

 

[sammieboy]

I use Facebook Messenger.

 

[pika2000]

Alright, I tested things my self.
And the winner is..... I'm afraid.... WeChat. WeChat's Full image sent the original file, complete with the EXIF intact. Only the Filename is jumbled up.

Here's a comparison table.

Telegram is the worst, with Whatsapp following closely. Facebook Messenger is actually good. However, Wechat Full Image wins as not only it sends the actual file, it is the only one that keeps all the EXIF information. The rest, even Facebook Messenger, destroys the EXIF data.

So there we are. Hopefully my curiosity can help others.

 

[AnonMac50]

Alright, I tested things my self.
And the winner is..... I'm afraid.... WeChat. WeChat's Full image sent the original file, complete with the EXIF intact. Only the Filename is jumbled up.

Here's a comparison table.

Telegram is the worst, with Whatsapp following closely. Facebook Messenger is actually good. However, Wechat Full Image wins as not only it sends the actual file, it is the only one that keeps all the EXIF information. The rest, even Facebook Messenger, destroys the EXIF data.

So there we are. Hopefully my curiosity can help others.

Wow! That’s really helpful!! Thanks!