For many of you with HTC devices, by now you probably well know that after updating to NoDo your HTC device has reverted from 32 bit color depth to 16 bit. According to Microsoft this is due to a design conflict. Windows Phone requirements state that 16 bit color depth is standard, however all HTC devices were upgraded manufacturer-side to 32 bit. With the NoDo update (due to the 16 bit standardization) for some reason it reverted most HTC devices to 16 bit. On May 13, Microsoft explained the issue in a support ticket where Aled T. of Microsoft Support responded with the following:
Hello,
When HTC launched the HD7 and Trophy they upgraded the color depth to 32 bit, which was outside of Microsoft’s design requirements of 16bit. Microsoft implemented the design standards to help ensure the best possible and consistent experience for all customers on all Windows Phones. To continue to deliver a stable and consistent customer experience, HTC returned the devices to the 16 bit design requirements as part of the March (7.0.7390) update.
The color palette change should not make a noticeable change to most customers experience on their Windows Phone 7. Microsoft’s goal is to ensure that the device is performing as optimally as possible – and as always their engineering teams continue to investigate the opportunities for future improvements.
Thank you for your contribution to the forums.
Many of you would probably disagree that the issue isn’t noticeable, and unfortunately you may have to wait until later this year for a fix. It was stated at MIX11 that the color depth issue on HTC devices will be corrected with the release of Mango later this year.
For those of you that have HTC devices, are you affected by the color depth issue? Have you done anything to solve the issue on your own?
I have to say, though, that using the registry changes on my Samsung Focus dramatically improved most displays with no change in performance. I wouldn’t have thought that the superamoled screen could look even better, but it’s amazing.