Google Starts Promoting YouTube Signature Devices

The term “YouTube Signature Devices” first popped-up during last week’s Samsung Galaxy Note 9 launch event. But the Note 9 isn’t the only such device. And this week, Google has begun explaining the program.

“[Certain] smartphones can deliver the best-in-class YouTube experience by combining next-generation technologies, video performance, and reliability,” the YouTube Device Report website explains. “With a Signature Device, you can enjoy vivid HDR videos, immersive 360° video, and fast video load times – all while using less bandwidth.”

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As Google explains it, devices that qualify for the YouTube Signature Device stamp of approval provide HDR (high dynamic range), high frame rates, reliable DRM performance, 4K decoding, and they support next-generation video codecs. “We’ve worked with manufacturers to verify these devices meet or exceed our performance expectations,” Google says.

So. Which handsets are on the list?

It’s a surprisingly long list: In addition to the Samsung Galaxy Note 9, Google says that the Google Pixel 2/2 XL, HTC U12+, Huawei Mate 10 Pro, LG G7 ThinQ, LG V30, Nokia 8 Sirocco, OnePlus 6, Samsung Galaxy Note 8, Samsung Galaxy S8/8+. Samsung Galaxy S9/9+, Sony Xperia XZ2, Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact, Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium, Xiaomi Mi 8, and Xiaomi Mi Mix 25 all make the cut too.

 

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Conversation 8 comments

  • jrickel96

    11 August, 2018 - 5:01 pm

    <p>The only problem here is that YouTube often has problems doing a good job streaming at those levels. Google's Cloud back end is falling behind and it is impacting YouTube as well. They really need to switch YouTube over to AWS or Azure for it to keep up. </p>

    • nicholas_kathrein

      13 August, 2018 - 9:17 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#300946">In reply to jrickel96:</a></em></blockquote><p>I don't know about that. I watch lots of 4k on my Nvidia TV Box and it's mostly YouTube and it works great. No buffering or anything.</p>

  • HellcatM

    11 August, 2018 - 7:54 pm

    <p>For a second I got excited thinking they were going to copy Microsoft and have devices with clean Android and no crapwear on them. Guess not.</p>

    • Pierre Masse

      11 August, 2018 - 10:10 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#300953">In reply to HellcatM:</a></em></blockquote><p>It exists, sort of: Android One, but only a few devices are on that program. Android Play devices are also of the same kind. Pixels are specials, but are the actual Google Signature devices. All this is extremely confusing. I think they are Microsoftizing themselves.</p>

      • FullThrottle

        12 August, 2018 - 8:21 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#300969">In reply to Pierre Masse:</a></em></blockquote><p>All Nokia Android phones (excl. the China exclusives) are also part of the Android One program. It's kind of like what Google Play Edition devices used to be.</p>

  • dcdevito

    12 August, 2018 - 3:49 am

    <p>No iPhone? </p>

    • nicholas_kathrein

      13 August, 2018 - 9:15 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#300974">In reply to dcdevito:</a></em></blockquote><p>iPhone doesn't support vp9 I think it's called which is Google's open source 4k codec. I know 4k youtube doesn't work on Safari for the Mac as the browser doesn't support it and neither does Apple TV. Apple just doesn't want to for some reason.</p>

  • IanYates82

    Premium Member
    12 August, 2018 - 5:49 am

    <p>I got offered to install YouTube music today for the first time inside the YouTube app on my s8. Didn't bother as I still use Google play music and find it just fine, but I wonder if this is at all related? </p>

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