YouTube now recommends the best phones for video playback, and it doesn’t suggest an iPhone

[CyberTech]

Content source

https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/8/9/17671362/youtube-signature-device-video-watch-phone-recommend-galaxy-note-9-pixel-2-oneplus-6

At its Note 9 announcement today, Samsung boasted the new phablet is a “YouTube Signature Device” for 2019. If you haven’t heard of that certification before, that’s because it’s a brand-new program YouTube just launched. The YouTube Device Report recommends the best smartphones, which it calls “signature devices,” for watching YouTube. These phones feature the ability to watch 360-degree footage, support for high dynamic range, high frame rate, 4K decoding, next-generation codecs, and reliable DRM performance. Google says its team evaluates each device and works with manufacturers to fix video playback performance and capability issues.

The report launches with 18 devices, with the aforementioned Note 9 alongside other popular smartphones like the Pixel 2 XL, the OnePlus 6, and the HTC U12 Plus. Notably, none of the devices is an iPhone, which might make you feel sad (or understandably neutral since YouTube, Google, and Android are all part of the same company anyway). Apple also doesn’t support the VP9 video codec, which Google developed, which is why Safari users don’t have the option to watch footage in 4K.

I can’t imagine anyone navigating to this webpage to factor in their next phone purchasing decision, but this certification of sorts will definitely be used in marketing materials everywhere.

 

[Peter Phillie]

I preferred using Android phones than iPhone, simply because of its' flexibility and functionality. So, currently I'm using Samsung mobile phone compared to iPhone devices. I think, iPhone must make their products more user friendly and will launch new features that will click to the consumers.

 

[Moonhorse]

Make windows phones great again

ps. vouch for oneplus

 

[upnorth]

I fully understand the 360° videos and 4K. Nokia made the list.

 

[Windows_Security]

I have an Windows Phone with just 720x1280 pixels. My son has a Sony XPERIA XZ2 with 2160x3840 pixels. He showed me a video and it was jaw-lowering quality. Porn sites were the first to show 4K quality, followed by Youtube and NetFlix. 4K will be an innovation driver.

I have a 3.5 year old Wondows Phone which still has nearly two days batterly life left (only replaced the plastic back cover twice). I regret passing the new phone option to my wife (who was unhappy with her phone)). So I have to stick with the Lumia on 720x1280 pixels for two more years (in NL you can buy new phone every 2 year with Telco operator sponsored prices).

I remember paying a fortune for my Palm Pilot (a PDA + phone), since the smartphone I always bought lower-middle class smartphones, but 4K is a reason to reach deep in my wallet again. So I am really wondering why Apple does not jump on the 4K frenzy also.

 

[Moonhorse]

I have an Windows Phone with just 720x1280 pixels. My son has a Sony XPERIA XZ2 with 2160x3840 pixels. He showed me a video and it was jaw-lowering quality. Porn sites were the first to show 4K quality, followed by Youtube and NetFlix. 4K will be an innovation driver.

I have a 3.5 year old Wondows Phone which still has nearly two days batterly life left (only replaced the plastic back cover twice). I regret passing the new phone option to my wife (who was unhappy with her phone)). So I have to stick with the Lumia on 720x1280 pixels for two more years (in NL you can buy new phone every 2 year with Telco operator sponsored prices).

I remember paying a fortune for my Palm Pilot (a PDA + phone), since the smartphone I always bought lower-middle class smartphones, but 4K is a reason to reach deep in my wallet again. So I am really wondering why Apple does not jump on the 4K frenzy also.

I liked the windows phone ui, only problem were some apps were unavailable and out to date, but still managed to live with it. Now im using android, im happy but im very interested to switch into windows launcher. Tech wide it were huge step to move from lumia 830 to oneplus 5t.

 

[In2an3_PpG]

In no way am i wasting what looks to be over one thousand US dollars on a Note 9 to have the best YouTube playback. YouTube Signature Device

After I'm done with my Note 8, I'm looking towards moving over to an iPhone.

 

[upnorth]

I am really wondering why Apple does not jump on the 4K frenzy also.

Google wonder the same I can guess as the codec for it is called VP9 and it's even open and royalty-free. Wouldn't surprise me if Apple think Google should skip that and pay instead for Apples HEVC.

 

[Windows_Security]

pay instead for Apples HEVC.

Not going to happen, maybe a split in codec's used for TV and others for smartphone, comparison of codec's mixed results with Google's VP9 on average better scores The Great UHD Codec Debate: Google's VP9 Vs. HEVCH.265

 

[upnorth]

I agree as ofcourse that won't happen. Google owns YouTube and if Apple wants to use 4K on the platform they have to jump in the boat and implement VP9 even if HEVC is possible better as I know HEVC even supports 8K nowdays but I'm unsure about VP9.