The Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G seem to have a lot of things covered, and one of those things is HDR video support in the Netflix app.
If you navigate over to the support page for how to use Netflix on your Android device, there’s a section for HDR content, and the Pixel 5 is now listed as a supported phone. As is the newly announced Pixel 4a 5G.
This means better color and picture quality while watching TV and movies on your device. Should one of these be the next phone you pick up.
Naturally, the Pixel 5 is supported for HD content as well
It probably comes as no shock that since the Pixel 5 supports HDR, it also support HD content.
In the same section Netflix has a list of supported devices for HD video. And Google’s two new phones are listed there too. Though neither HDR or HD content were highlighted as features of these two new phones, the support is there.
Someone was sure to be thinking about this during the pre-order process. Many people watch Netflix on their phones these days. So it’s good to know that a phone you may be considering buying, has support for some of Netflix’ best quality video content.
That being said you need more than just a device that supports HDR content. Just having the phone won’t get you all the way there. As there are a few other requirements that Netflix has laid out.
You need the latest version of the Netflix app and an Ultra HD plan
If you want to watch Netflix content in HDR then you need the latest version of the Netflix app installed.
This is version 5.0, and if you regularly update your apps, then you probably already have it. Something you may not have however is the streaming plan that comes with Ultra HD streaming.
You will need this plan to watch HDR content on your phone. So in addition to having a phone that supports HDR, you need Netflix’ most expensive plan. The Ultra HD plan is $16 a month. Compared to the $13 a month of the standard plan, and the $9 a month of the standard definition plan.
Keep that in mind when deciding to pick up a phone for the capability to watch content in HDR. Another particular detail that you may not be aware of is that you need your streaming quality set to “high.” This will use more data, but if you want to watch content in HDR, it’s a must.