Netflix adds HDR support on Android, but only for the LG G6

Why it matters to you

High Dynamic Range (HDR) offers a significant improvement in color depth, ideal when watching video on any screen.

Included within version 5.0 of the Netflix app for Android, the streaming video company has enabled the ability to watch HDR-enabled video on a specific Android smartphone. Currently, the only smartphone that supports HDR playback is the Dolby Vision compatible LG G6. Support on additional phones will be announced at a later date.

Interestingly, this is the first smartphone that will have access to HDR content. Samsung announced HDR Premium certification by the UHD alliance for the Galaxy S8, but Netflix hasn’t enabled HDR content for that smartphone yet. Of course, it’s likely that Netflix will move quickly to expand access within the upcoming months depending on compatibility.

Detailed on Netflix’s FAQ page, one hefty requirement for streaming Netflix with HDR enabled is an internet connection speed of 25 megabits per second or faster. It’s likely that attempting to stream HDR content via a mobile LTE connection on a commute will fail due to a download speed less than 25 megabits per second.

In addition, customers will need a subscription to the 4-screen-at-a-time plan for $11.99 a month. That plan includes access to Ultra HD content while the 2-screen, $9.99 plan is limited to standard HD video. Finally, playback settings should be set at “high” within the app in order to stream HDR quality by default.

Finding HDR content on Netflix isn’t difficult, but it’s not at simple as locating a pre-created category within the user interface. Using the Netflix app, perform a search for “HDR” and multiple options will appear in the listings. The majority of the search returns include Netflix-created content like all the live-action Marvel shows, Marco Polo, Santa Clarita Diet and House of Cards as well as the Adam Sandler original movies Sandy Wexler, The Do-Over and The Ridiculous 6.