Have you noticed the .HEIC file extension popping up on photos from your Apple device and wondered what that means? This guide will provide a comprehensible overview of everything you need to know about the HEIC photo format – how it differs from JPG, conversion tips across operating systems, and recommended best practices for managing HEIC photos.
What is the HEIC Photo Format?
In 2017, Apple switched iPhone and iPad cameras from capturing images in the JPEG format that has been an internet standard for decades to their new high-efficiency HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container).
HEIC leverages advanced video compression algorithms to shrink photo file sizes by 50% without affecting quality. This provides significant storage savings for Apple device users.
However, HEIC faced compatibility issues with non-Apple ecosystems like Windows, struggling to view images saved in the new format. This guide will share multiple methods to convert HEIC photos to widely supported JPGs.
First, let‘s deep dive into how the HEIC format achieves such dramatic file size reductions compared to JPEG.
HEIC vs JPEG – Technical Comparison
| Image Format | Resolution | Color Depth | Compression | Average File Size | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPEG | 24-bit | 24-bit | Lossy | Large | Universal |
| HEIC | 24/30/48-bit | 24/30-bit | Lossy | 50% lower | Apple devices |
Credits: ResearchGate Analysis
The table above summarizes how HEIC and JPEG formats differ technically…
