Key Points:
- iPhone 16 Pro: Now supports ProRAW in JPEG-XL format for high-quality, smaller photo files.
- Apple Intelligence Features: Rollout begins with iOS 18.1 in October, continuing through iOS 18.4 by March.
- Siri and AI Enhancements: ChatGPT integration, new photo tools, and more personalization are expected.
iPhone 16 Pro Enables ProRAW Photos in JPEG-XL
Before the official launch of the iPhone 16, reports indicated that the Pro models would support photos in the JPEG-XL format. Apple hasn’t formally announced this feature, but iPhone 16 Pro users can indeed capture ProRAW images using JPEG-XL.
This new format, confirmed in the iPhone 16 Pro firmware, is especially valuable for compressing RAW photos while maintaining high image quality. JPEG-XL supports advanced features like transparency, HDR, and a wider color range, making it a significant upgrade for photographers who want more options without sacrificing storage space.
JPEG-XL Compression Options
On the iPhone 16 Pro, users can select from several photo formats:
- JPEG Lossless (most compatible)
- JPEG-XL Lossy
- JPEG-XL Lossless
Apple also provided details on the storage required for each format:
- 12MP JPEG-XL Lossy: 11MB
- 12MP JPEG-XL Lossless: 18MB
- 48MP JPEG-XL Lossy: 20MB
- 48MP JPEG-XL Lossless: 46MB
For comparison, a 48MP ProRAW photo from the iPhone 15 Pro uses around 75MB, showing a clear advantage in size reduction with JPEG-XL. Although only the iPhone 16 Pro can take JPEG-XL photos, other Apple devices running iOS 17 or macOS 14 and later can still view these images.
Enhanced Camera Features
The iPhone 16 Pro is also packed with other impressive camera upgrades. Users can now shoot 4K video at 120 frames per second and enjoy enhanced Photographic Styles, which allow real-time tweaks to color, shadows, and highlights. Additionally, the iPhone 16 Pro includes a new 48MP ultra-wide lens, perfect for wide-angle shots with greater detail.
Apple Intelligence Rolling Out with iOS 18
iOS 18 is set for public release, but most of the new Apple Intelligence features won’t arrive until the iOS 18.1 update, expected in October. These features are exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16 models and require Siri language settings set to U.S. English.
Some key features include:
- Siri Enhancements: Better understanding of follow-up questions and mispronounced words.
- Writing Tools: Ability to rewrite, summarize, or proofread text.
- Advanced Photo Editing: The new “Clean Up” tool can remove unwanted objects from photos using AI.
iOS 18.2 and Later Updates
Apple is already testing iOS 18.2, likely set for a December release. This update will expand Apple Intelligence to more English-speaking countries, including the UK, Canada, and Australia. iOS 18.2 will also introduce fun new tools like Image Playground, allowing users to generate custom images, and Genmoji, which creates personalized emojis.
Looking further ahead, iOS 18.4 is expected by March and will include deeper Siri customization, on-screen awareness, and better per-app controls. Apple Intelligence will also support more languages, such as Chinese, French, and Spanish.
Apple’s integration with ChatGPT is expected by the end of the year, offering new AI-powered tools through Siri, including writing assistance and content generation. This partnership will allow iPhone, iPad, and Mac users to access ChatGPT without creating an account, though additional features will be available for ChatGPT Plus subscribers.
With these updates, Apple is pushing forward in both photography and AI technology, making the iPhone 16 Pro and its upcoming software releases a significant step in mobile innovation.
