O2 JPEG web compression - worries for iPhone 6

[Anonymous]

I've known O2 recompress JPEGS over mobile data for a while. I've been with O2 since the original iPhone launch. I got an O2 sim when the first iPad came out but realised quickly that while I could ignore blocky pictures on a small phone screen I couldn't on a large iPad screen. The same is true of surfing the web tethered to an O2 mobile device. Seeing pictures on a laptop screen look shocking.

So I could overlook it on a small phone screen. But now we come to the new iPhones and I can't see anyway around it other then moving from O2. Unless we know they aren't going to implement the same system for larger system for larger screen phones.

If you're wondering what I'm talking about. O2 re-compresses images in realtime as you request them over mobile data to make them smaller. Its the equivalent of opening an image in Photoshop and re saving it with the quality at 40%. It's easy to test for yourself. Turn off wifi and go to any favourite picture online. Tap and hold to save. Then switch wifi back on. Reload the image and do the same thing. Now flick back and forth between them. Zooming in on any details. One will be much blocker then the other as soon as you start to zoom in.

My question is. Does anyone know a way around this? Does this still happen with larger android phones? (I presume so) and is there an official O2 stance about it?

[Anonymous]

Hi

I've not noticed that in my iPad Air.

I suppose we won't know if this occurs with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus until someone gets their hands on one.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:
 Does anyone know a way around this? 

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Use Wifi

[Anonymous]

Using wifi kind of defeats the object though, doesn't it? It's 'mobile' data.

If you've never noticed it. I urge you to try my little test. You'll be amazed at how poor images over mobile data look.

[MI5 · Accepted solution]

Yes, image compression is still applied and also the same for video.
I use "bypass" as my apn which helps but the only real fix is an alternative provider who doesn't compress data.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. I knew I couldn't be just me who noticed. Does adding bypass make things 'normal' ? Can you provide more details on entering the bypass settings? Thanks for your help 😀

[jonsie]

We have seen other threads on this going back years, it's something that the average customer doesn't realise or even notice to be honest.

http://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Pay-Monthly-and-Pay-Go/4G-compression-is-it-just-me-AWFUL-browsing-expe...

http://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Apple-iOS-Devices-iPhone-iPad/Not-the-way-to-treat-customers-o2/m-p/137...

[jonsie]

APN: mobile.o2.co.uk
Username: bypass
Password: password

[Anonymous]

Thanks. That's great. I know many people may not notice, like I said. I Haven't cared with a small screen. But going forward it's unacceptable. I'll try the settings. Thanks

[anticpated]

I notice Chrome now comes with data compression and management which links into the Android Data Manager in a way. Opera Max does this as well however when I first tried it there was a lot of battery drain when using it.