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Photo Formats

ProRAW vs HEIC vs JPEG on iPhone Compared

Your iPhone can shoot in three distinct photo formats, and the one you choose has a massive impact on storage, quality, and editing flexibility. Here is a side-by-side comparison with real file sizes so you can make the right choice for how you actually use your camera.

By DB Labs  ·  March 2, 2026  ·  9 min read

Which Format Should You Use?

For most iPhone users, HEIC (High Efficiency) is the best choice — it delivers excellent image quality at roughly half the file size of JPEG. Use JPEG only if you share photos with Windows users or older software that cannot handle HEIC. Use ProRAW only if you are a photographer who edits extensively in Lightroom or Photoshop and owns an iPhone Pro model. At 48MP, HEIC averages 5–10 MB per photo, JPEG averages 15–25 MB, and ProRAW averages 25–75 MB.

The Three iPhone Photo Formats

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Coding)

HEIC is the default photo format on every iPhone since the iPhone 7 (iOS 11+). It uses the HEVC (H.265) codec to compress photos more efficiently than JPEG while maintaining the same or better visual quality. Apple calls this setting "High Efficiency" in Camera settings.

  • File extension: .heic
  • Compression: Lossy, but visually lossless at normal viewing
  • Color depth: 10-bit (wider color gamut than JPEG's 8-bit)
  • Transparency: Supported (unlike JPEG)
  • Editing flexibility: Moderate — good for basic adjustments, limited for heavy manipulation
  • Compatibility: Native on Apple devices, macOS, iOS, Windows 10+, most modern browsers and apps

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)

JPEG is the universal photo format that every device, browser, and application can open. Apple calls this setting "Most Compatible" in Camera settings. While it produces larger files than HEIC at the same quality, it works everywhere without conversion.

  • File extension: .jpg / .jpeg
  • Compression: Lossy
  • Color depth: 8-bit (standard gamut)
  • Transparency: Not supported
  • Editing flexibility: Moderate — similar to HEIC for basic editing, but 8-bit means less latitude for color grading
  • Compatibility: Universal — works on every device and platform

Apple ProRAW

ProRAW is Apple's RAW photo format, available exclusively on iPhone Pro models (iPhone 12 Pro and later). It captures the full sensor data from the 48MP camera with minimal compression, preserving maximum detail for post-processing. ProRAW also includes Apple's computational photography data (Deep Fusion, Smart HDR) baked into the RAW file, giving you the best of both worlds.

  • File extension: .dng (Adobe DNG format)
  • Compression: Lossless or near-lossless
  • Color depth: 12-bit (maximum editing latitude)
  • Transparency: Not applicable
  • Editing flexibility: Maximum — full control over exposure, white balance, shadows, highlights without quality loss
  • Compatibility: Any app that supports DNG (Lightroom, Photoshop, Darkroom, Halide, Apple Photos)

File Size Comparison

This is where the three formats diverge dramatically. The table below shows average file sizes based on real-world shooting across different iPhone camera resolutions:

Format 12MP 24MP 48MP
HEIC 1–3 MB 3–5 MB 5–10 MB
JPEG 3–8 MB 5–15 MB 15–25 MB
ProRAW N/A N/A 25–75 MB

Notes: ProRAW is only available at 48MP on iPhone Pro models. The 12MP column applies to cropped shots, ultrawide lens, and front camera. The 24MP column applies to the iPhone 15 and 16 standard models' default resolution. File sizes vary based on scene complexity — detailed outdoor scenes produce larger files than simple indoor shots.

Storage context: If you shoot 1,000 photos at 48MP, here is how much storage each format uses — HEIC: approximately 7.5 GB, JPEG: approximately 20 GB, ProRAW: approximately 50 GB. The format choice alone can be a 3–7x difference in storage consumption.

1,000 Photos: Storage Impact by Format

To make the storage difference tangible, here is what 1,000 photos cost you in each format at 48MP:

Format Avg. File Size (48MP) 1,000 Photos 5,000 Photos 10,000 Photos
HEIC ~7.5 MB ~7.5 GB ~37.5 GB ~75 GB
JPEG ~20 MB ~20 GB ~100 GB ~200 GB
ProRAW ~50 MB ~50 GB ~250 GB ~500 GB

At 10,000 photos, the difference between HEIC and ProRAW is 425 GB. This is why format selection is one of the most impactful storage decisions you can make. For more on reducing photo file sizes, see our guide to reducing photo file sizes on iPhone.

Quality Comparison

Viewing Quality (Screen Display)

For viewing photos on an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or any modern display, HEIC and JPEG are visually indistinguishable. The compression artifacts in both formats are imperceptible at normal viewing distances. You cannot tell which format a photo was shot in by looking at it on screen.

ProRAW photos look identical to HEIC/JPEG when viewed without editing. The advantage of ProRAW only becomes apparent when you push edits to extremes — recovering severely underexposed shadows, dramatically shifting white balance, or applying heavy color grading.

Editing Quality (Post-Processing)

This is where the formats differ meaningfully:

  • ProRAW (12-bit) — Full editing latitude. You can recover 3–4 stops of shadow detail and 2–3 stops of highlight detail without visible banding or noise. White balance can be changed completely in post with no quality penalty. This is the format for professional-quality editing.
  • HEIC (10-bit) — Good editing latitude for moderate adjustments. You can push exposure by 1–2 stops and adjust white balance within reason. Heavy edits will introduce visible artifacts, banding in gradients, and color shifts.
  • JPEG (8-bit) — Limited editing latitude. The 8-bit color depth means gradients can band quickly when pushed, and shadow recovery introduces noticeable noise. Fine for minor adjustments but not suited for heavy post-processing.

Print Quality

For standard prints up to 8x10 inches, all three formats produce excellent results. For large-format prints (16x20 inches or bigger), ProRAW's 48MP resolution and 12-bit depth provide the most detail and smoothest gradients. HEIC at 48MP is also very capable for large prints. JPEG at 48MP works but may show subtle compression artifacts in smooth areas like skies at extreme print sizes.

How to Switch Formats on iPhone

1 Switch Between HEIC and JPEG

Go to Settings > Camera > Formats. Choose:

  • High Efficiency = HEIC photos, HEVC video
  • Most Compatible = JPEG photos, H.264 video

This setting also affects video format. High Efficiency video (HEVC) is about 40% smaller than Most Compatible (H.264).

2 Enable ProRAW (Pro Models Only)

Go to Settings > Camera > Formats and toggle on Apple ProRAW. Then in the Camera app, you will see a RAW button in the top-right corner. Tap it to toggle ProRAW on (highlighted) or off for each shot. When RAW is off, the camera shoots in your chosen format (HEIC or JPEG).

3 Set ProRAW Resolution

When ProRAW is enabled, you can choose between 12MP and 48MP capture resolution in Settings > Camera > Formats > ProRAW & Resolution Control. The 48MP option produces the largest files but captures maximum detail.

Pro tip: You do not have to commit to one format permanently. Keep HEIC as your default for everyday shooting, and toggle ProRAW on in the Camera app when you encounter a scene worth the extra storage — a sunset, architectural shot, or portrait you plan to edit extensively.

When to Use Each Format

Use HEIC When...

  • You are taking everyday photos (food, pets, kids, outings, selfies)
  • Storage is a concern and you want the smallest possible files
  • You share primarily within the Apple ecosystem
  • You do light editing or no editing at all
  • You want 10-bit color depth with efficient compression

Use JPEG When...

  • You regularly share photos with Windows users or older devices
  • You upload to platforms or services that do not accept HEIC
  • You need guaranteed compatibility with every device and application
  • You use third-party photo management software that requires JPEG

Use ProRAW When...

  • You edit extensively in Lightroom, Photoshop, Darkroom, or Capture One
  • You shoot in challenging lighting (high contrast, low light, mixed lighting)
  • You need maximum control over white balance, exposure, and color in post
  • You print photos at large sizes and need every detail
  • You own an iPhone Pro model and have ample storage (256 GB+)

For a deeper explanation of HEIC and its compatibility, see our HEIC photos explained article. For managing the storage impact of 4K video alongside your photo format choice, see how much storage 4K video uses.

Compatibility Quick Reference

Platform / App HEIC JPEG ProRAW (DNG)
iPhone / iPad Native Native Native
Mac (Photos/Preview) Native Native Native
Windows 10/11 Supported (codec install) Native Via Lightroom/Photoshop
Google Photos Supported Supported Supported
Instagram / TikTok Supported Supported Not directly
Lightroom / Photoshop Supported Supported Full support
Web browsers Most modern browsers All browsers Not natively

Whichever Format You Choose, Keep Your Library Clean

The best storage savings come from deleting photos you do not need. Swype Photo Cleaner makes it fast — swipe left to delete, right to keep. Works with HEIC, JPEG, and ProRAW photos alike.

Free · iPhone · iOS 16+ · 100% on-device, zero uploads

Download on theApp Store

Free · iPhone · iOS 16+

The Bottom Line

HEIC is the right default for 95% of iPhone users. It delivers the best balance of quality and storage efficiency. JPEG is only worth using if you hit specific compatibility issues. ProRAW is a specialized tool for photographers who need maximum editing control and are willing to accept 5–10x larger files in exchange.

If storage is your primary concern, switching from JPEG to HEIC is the single most impactful camera setting change you can make — it will roughly halve your photo storage footprint with zero visible quality difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which iPhone photo format uses least storage?

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Coding) uses the least storage of the three iPhone photo formats. A 12MP HEIC photo averages 1–3 MB, a 24MP photo 3–5 MB, and a 48MP photo 5–10 MB. That is roughly 40–50% smaller than the equivalent JPEG and 5–10x smaller than ProRAW. HEIC is the default format on iPhone and is the recommended setting for the vast majority of users who want excellent quality without wasting storage.

Should I use HEIC or JPEG on iPhone?

Use HEIC (High Efficiency) for everyday photography. It produces smaller files with identical visual quality compared to JPEG, and supports 10-bit color depth versus JPEG's 8-bit. Only switch to JPEG (Most Compatible mode) if you regularly share photos with Windows users running older software, or use platforms and services that do not accept HEIC files. Most modern platforms — including social media, email, and messaging apps — now support HEIC natively. Change format in Settings > Camera > Formats.

How big are ProRAW files?

Apple ProRAW files are 25–75 MB each at 48MP resolution. The exact size depends on scene complexity — detailed landscapes with lots of texture produce larger files, while simpler indoor shots are smaller. ProRAW is only available on iPhone Pro models (iPhone 12 Pro and later). At an average of 50 MB per photo, just 20 ProRAW photos consume 1 GB of storage, compared to roughly 133 HEIC photos for the same space.

Can I convert ProRAW to HEIC?

Not directly through the iPhone Photos app. However, you can effectively convert by editing a ProRAW photo and exporting it: open the photo, make your edits, then use the share sheet to save or send a copy — the exported version will be in HEIC or JPEG depending on your settings. On Mac, the Photos app and Preview can export DNG files as HEIC or JPEG. Third-party apps like Lightroom and Darkroom can batch-convert ProRAW files to other formats.