Google Photos has been considered one of the company's best products—after Search, of course, and Google Maps. However, following an announcement in late 2020, popular opinion on it dropped a bit.
After June 1st 2021, Google Photos will lose one of its most significant features—unlimited free storage. In other words, you will no longer be able to back up all your photos and videos for free.
Let's explore more about this and see why Google Photos is worth using, even without this perk.
What Is Unlimited Free Storage in Google Photos?
Up till now, you had the option to back up images in "high quality" for free in the Photos app (and on the Google Photos website). While this is not the same as free unlimited "original quality" uploads offered exclusively to Pixel users, the compressed images still look good.
However, Google has decided to end unlimited free storage and count all high-quality uploads against the free 15GB of cloud storage that comes with every Google account. This will apply to all photos uploaded starting June 1, 2021.
1. Powerful Search Functionality
If you switch to a different platform, the search tool in Google Photos would likely be the first feature you’d miss. That’s because the image recognition algorithm of Google Photos is one-of-a-kind.
You can search for anything, and the app will come up with an image in your library that may have the term you searched for. It can be “sky,” “beach,” photos from your “wedding,” “memes,” or something in particular like a “red dress.”
2. Integrated Google Lens Functionality
Although Google Lens has its own app, it is much more convenient to use integrated Lens function in Google Photos. If you open an image containing text in the Photos app, you can immediately copy the text, translate it, listen to it, and search it on Google.
Using the Lens feature, you can select a specific word or the entire sentence. Also, there is an option to send the text directly to your computer; however, you must be logged in with the same Google account to use this.
3. Cross-Platform Support
Google Photos is available on many devices, making it easy to view or share photos on all the platforms you use. Android, iOS, and the web are all fully supported.
You can also use the Photos app on Android TV or similar devices. Android TV has a nifty feature that lets you display your photos as a screensaver through the Google Home app.
4. Fun and Unique Features
Google Photos has added many features over the years. Some, like Memories, don't have a practical use, but these little features are what make Google Photos stand out.
Memories is the carousel that appears at the top of the Photos app. It works similar to Instagram stories, but the stories here consist of your photos and videos from the past.
5. It Beats the Competition
There are several photo cloud storage services available, but i's hard to argue that any of them have reached the level of Google Photos.
