In addition to this, HEIC will store the image, its properties, and thumbnails. What makes the HEIC files so attractive for online and mobile use is that it has a much smaller file size compared to that of the other and more widely-used file formats, such as JPEGs. At the moment, this file format has become the new standard for all Apple devices, threatening the popularity of the JPEG, PNG, and GIF formats.
In more detail, it was first introduced by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG), and it uses the HEVC technology, or High Efficiency Video Coding. HEIF stands for High Efficiency Image format, and you will find it with the HEIC extension, which stands for High Efficiency Image Container.Įven though this technology became known when Apple adopted it, this type of file has been around for longer. Adopted by Apple in the summer of 2017 this photo format has changed the way that your photos are stored on your iPhone and iPad. If you own an iOS 11 or later device, then you are familiar with the HEIF file format. What is HEIC Format and How it Got an Edge Over JPG?