Does iMessage send the full file size (photos and videos)?

[iMore Question]

Does iMessage use any compression?

 

[BreakingKayfabe]

iMessage doesn't but regular MMS (carrier messaging) does.

I have had a couple of situations in the past though where I sent a video through iMessage and the video is badly compressed because the data signal was so bad.

 

[Ledsteplin]

I just iMessaged myself a 750x1334 184kb photo and it retained the size. The same with 1080x1920 417kb. Didn't try vids.