16-Bit Color Is a Microsoft Requirement, Registry Fix to 32-Bit Available

    

16-Bit (left) vs. 32-Bit (right) on Samsung Focus

Last month when HTC devices were being updated to NoDo, users noticed that the picture quality suddenly had a banding issue similar to what Samsung's Super AMOLED screens experience. The issue was caused by a change in color depth from 32-bit to 16-bit that HTC was required to change on Microsoft's request. Earlier this week, a Microsoft Answers moderator told a user that the 16-bit depth is a requirement of Microsoft in order to ensure a consistent experience while using the OS. WMPoweruser later found out that Mango was going to fix this and change phones to 32-bit color instead.

Sucks right? Well nobody said you have to wait until this Fall in order to fix the 'issue' because 1800PocketPC has a quick tutorial to help you out. Please note that this requires your Windows Phone to be developer unlocked or jailbroken in order to do, but if you qualify you can get to it right away and it's relatively easy. We did the fix ourselves and we saw a pretty huge difference on our Samsung Focus's display (seen above, click to enlarge). Visit 1800PocketPC for the tutorial and you can find their how-to video below.