DB Labs
What Is Apple ProRAW? Definition & Guide
By Jack Smith, iOS Developer at DB Labs · Updated March 8, 2026
Apple ProRAW is a professional photo format exclusive to iPhone Pro models that combines the flexibility of RAW photography with Apple's computational processing (Smart HDR, Deep Fusion, Night Mode). ProRAW files are stored as DNG files averaging 25 MB at 12 MP or 75 MB at 48 MP, giving photographers maximum editing control at a significant storage cost.
How Apple ProRAW Works
Traditional RAW photography captures unprocessed sensor data, giving photographers complete control in post-processing but missing the benefits of computational photography. Standard iPhone photos apply Smart HDR, Deep Fusion, and other processing automatically, producing great results but limiting editing flexibility.
Apple ProRAW bridges this gap. It captures the full RAW sensor data while also embedding the results of Apple's computational photography pipeline as a starting point. When you open a ProRAW file in a photo editor, you get the benefits of Smart HDR's dynamic range, Deep Fusion's detail, and Night Mode's light gathering — but you can adjust or undo any of these treatments. White balance, exposure, noise reduction, and sharpening are all fully adjustable without quality loss.
File Size and Storage Impact
ProRAW files are dramatically larger than standard iPhone photos:
- 12 MP ProRAW — Approximately 25 MB per photo (vs. 1-3 MB for HEIC)
- 48 MP ProRAW — Approximately 75 MB per photo (iPhone 14 Pro and later)
This means a single 48 MP ProRAW photo takes as much space as 25 to 75 standard photos. Shooting exclusively in ProRAW at 48 MP, a 256 GB iPhone could fill its photo storage with around 2,500 images. For context, the same storage would hold roughly 85,000 standard HEIC photos.
Because of this massive storage footprint, ProRAW is best treated as a selective tool for important shots, not an always-on setting. Most photographers enable ProRAW for specific shoots and return to HEIC for everyday snapshots.
Enabling ProRAW
To enable ProRAW, go to Settings > Camera > Formats and toggle on Apple ProRAW. Once enabled, a "RAW" button appears in the Camera app's top-right corner. Tap it to toggle ProRAW on or off per shot. On iPhone 14 Pro and later, you can also choose between 12 MP and 48 MP ProRAW resolution in the same settings menu.
ProRAW vs. HEIC vs. JPEG
- ProRAW — Maximum editing flexibility, computational photography included, very large files (25-75 MB). Best for professional editing.
- HEIC — Apple's default format with excellent quality, small files (1-3 MB), limited RAW editing flexibility. Best for everyday photography.
- JPEG — Universal compatibility, slightly larger than HEIC (2-5 MB), limited editing flexibility. Best for maximum sharing compatibility.
Related Terms
- HEIC — Apple's default efficient photo format
- Deep Fusion — Computational processing embedded in ProRAW
- Smart HDR — Dynamic range processing included in ProRAW data
Learn More
Frequently Asked Questions
How big are ProRAW files on iPhone?
At 12 MP, a ProRAW file averages about 25 MB. At 48 MP (iPhone 14 Pro and later), files can reach 75 MB or more. A hundred 48 MP ProRAW photos would consume approximately 7.5 GB of storage.
Which iPhones support Apple ProRAW?
Apple ProRAW is available exclusively on iPhone Pro models: iPhone 12 Pro and later, including all Pro and Pro Max variants through the iPhone 17 series.
Should I shoot in ProRAW all the time?
For most users, no. ProRAW files are 10-25x larger than HEIC. The benefits are only realized if you edit in Lightroom, Photoshop, or similar apps. Reserve ProRAW for important shots where you plan detailed post-processing.
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