YouTube begins testing “1080p Premium” stream option on mobile app
YouTube appears to be testing a new option for users streaming YouTube from the mobile app. As spotted by Reddit user u/KZedUK (via This is Tech Today), A new option for stream quality appeared called â1080p Premiumâ described to have âEnhanced bitrateâ. This new stream option will be available for YouTube Premium users and it exists alongside the âregularâ 1080p option thatâs quite generously compressed.
This is Tech Today speculates that the new âhigh-bitrateâ 1080p option could address usersâ desire to watch higher-quality videos, which they address by switching to a 1440p or 2160p (4K) streaming option when available. This new option may offset YouTubeâs operating cost to cater to usersâ desire to view higher quality video from mobile.
This comes shortly after the news of Susan Wojcicki]âs departure as YouTubeâs CEO, though it is yet to be confirmed whether the change is a result of Neil Mohanâs taking over as the new CEO. Android Police also speculates that the â1080p Premiumâ video option may also put 60fps and 120fps videos behind the YouTube Premium paywall.
Weâre curious to know more about YouTubeâs new strategy with YouTube Premium moving forward. In December, YouTube was testing an âadd to queueâ feature from mobile for Android and iOS users with a Premium subscription.