Google is rolling out an upgrade to enhance video quality for Google Meet users accessing the service via a web browser on high-resolution displays. This improvement is particularly noticeable in meetings involving three or more participants and is currently being deployed to all users, with completion expected over the next few weeks.
The update aims to "provide higher quality video for users with high-resolution displays on the web." The primary focus is on multi-participant calls, where the video tile size and display density make resolution differences more apparent compared to one-on-one interactions.
Achieving this higher quality necessitates increased bandwidth compared to previous defaults. Google has not specified the minimum connection speed required to experience the full benefits of this improvement, nor has it clarified which display resolutions qualify for the enhanced video output.
Regarding bandwidth management, Meet now automatically adjusts video quality based on available bandwidth for users with slower or unstable connections, rather than adhering to a fixed resolution. Users with robust connections and high-resolution monitors should observe an improvement without needing to modify any settings. Individuals on limited connections will still receive video quality optimized for their available bandwidth.
This change applies exclusively to Google Meet on the web. Google has not confirmed whether the update extends to hardware room systems or dedicated Meet hardware devices, and it does not impact the Google Meet mobile applications for Android or iOS.
The rollout has commenced, and Google anticipates it will be available to all eligible users within the coming weeks, requiring no action on the user's part.