HEIC files are typically 40-50% smaller than JPG at the same quality level. An iPhone photo that's 3MB as JPG might be only 1.5MB as HEIC. However, HEIC has limited compatibility with Windows and Android devices, often requiring conversion for sharing.
Understanding the File Size Difference
When Apple introduced HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) as the default photo format in iOS 11, the primary goal was simple: save storage space without sacrificing quality. Using advanced HEVC/H.265 compression technology, HEIC achieves dramatically smaller file sizes compared to traditional JPG.
This space savings isn't just theoretical - it has real-world impact on iPhone storage, iCloud costs, and backup times. A typical iPhone user with thousands of photos can save 20-30GB or more by using HEIC instead of JPG.
Head-to-Head Size Comparison
| Factor | HEIC | JPG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| File Size | 40-50% smaller | Baseline | HEIC |
| Quality at Same Size | Noticeably better | More compression artifacts | HEIC |
| Compatibility | Limited (iOS 11+, macOS 10.13+) | Universal | JPG |
| Editing Support | Limited third-party apps | All photo editors | JPG |
| Sharing | Often auto-converts to JPG | Works everywhere | JPG |
| Storage Savings | 20-30GB saved per 10,000 photos | No savings | HEIC |
| iCloud Impact | Needs less iCloud storage | Fills iCloud faster | HEIC |
Real-World File Size Examples
Typical iPhone Photos (12MP Camera)
- Daylight scene: JPG 3.2MB → HEIC 1.6MB (50% smaller)
- Indoor photo: JPG 2.8MB → HEIC 1.5MB (46% smaller)
- High-detail landscape: JPG 4.5MB → HEIC 2.3MB (49% smaller)
- Portrait mode: JPG 3.5MB → HEIC 1.8MB (49% smaller)
- Low-light photo: JPG 2.5MB → HEIC 1.4MB (44% smaller)
• 1,000 photos: JPG ~3GB, HEIC ~1.5GB (saves 1.5GB)
• 5,000 photos: JPG ~15GB, HEIC ~7.5GB (saves 7.5GB)
• 10,000 photos: JPG ~30GB, HEIC ~15GB (saves 15GB)
• 20,000 photos: JPG ~60GB, HEIC ~30GB (saves 30GB)
Why HEIC Files Are Smaller
Advanced Compression Technology
HEIC uses HEVC (High Efficiency Video Codec) compression, the same technology behind 4K video streaming. This modern algorithm is far more sophisticated than JPG's decades-old compression method, allowing it to identify and preserve important image details while aggressively compressing less critical areas.
Better Handling of Complex Scenes
JPG compression struggles with certain patterns - gradients, subtle textures, and high-frequency details often create visible "blocky" artifacts. HEIC handles these scenarios more elegantly, maintaining quality while achieving better compression. This is especially noticeable in skies, skin tones, and shadows.
Smarter Data Encoding
While JPG processes images in rigid 8×8 pixel blocks, HEIC uses flexible coding tree units that adapt to image content. This flexibility allows HEIC to spend more "bits" on complex areas and fewer on simple areas, resulting in overall smaller files without quality loss.
The Quality Question
Quality at Equal File Sizes
If you compress a HEIC and JPG to the same file size, HEIC will look noticeably better. At 1.5MB, a HEIC photo will have fewer compression artifacts, better color accuracy, and sharper details than a JPG at the same size.
Quality at Default Settings
When iPhone captures photos at default settings, HEIC at half the file size of JPG maintains equivalent or better perceptual quality. Apple tuned the compression parameters to ensure HEIC photos look as good or better than JPG while being significantly smaller.
In side-by-side comparisons, most users cannot distinguish between iPhone's default HEIC and a JPG file that's twice as large. The quality difference only becomes apparent when viewing at 200%+ zoom or printing very large sizes.
iPhone Storage Impact
Default Camera Settings
Since iOS 11 (2017), iPhones default to HEIC for photos and HEVC for videos. This change was largely invisible to users but had massive storage benefits. A 64GB iPhone that would have filled up with 20,000 JPG photos can now hold 40,000 HEIC photos.
Storage Pressure Relief
For users constantly managing "Storage Almost Full" warnings, switching from JPG to HEIC can be transformative. The 40-50% space savings often means the difference between needing to delete old photos or having plenty of room for new ones.
Existing JPG photos on your iPhone don't automatically convert to HEIC. The space savings only apply to new photos taken after enabling HEIC format. To reduce storage of existing photos, you'd need to manually convert them.
iCloud Storage Benefits
Reduced iCloud Costs
If you use iCloud Photo Library, HEIC's smaller size directly impacts your iCloud storage needs. Users who might need the 200GB plan with JPG photos could potentially use the 50GB plan with HEIC, saving $2.50/month or $30/year.
Faster Backups
Smaller files mean faster iCloud backups and syncing. A full photo library backup that takes 2 hours with JPG might complete in just 1 hour with HEIC. This is especially valuable on slower internet connections or when using cellular data.
Quicker Downloads
When accessing photos from iCloud on different devices, HEIC photos download twice as fast as JPG equivalents. This improves the experience when viewing your full library or downloading photos for editing.
The Compatibility Trade-Off
Where HEIC Works
- iPhone: iOS 11 and later (2017+)
- iPad: iPadOS 11 and later
- Mac: macOS High Sierra 10.13 and later (2017+)
- Android: Limited support, Android 10+ with some manufacturers
- Windows: Windows 10 with codec pack installed
Where HEIC Fails
HEIC compatibility problems appear when sharing photos outside the Apple ecosystem. Email attachments to Android users may not open. Uploading to older websites might fail. Photo printing services may reject HEIC files. Social media platforms often work but may convert to JPG server-side.
When you share HEIC photos via Messages, Mail, or AirDrop to incompatible devices, iPhone automatically converts them to JPG. This provides compatibility but negates the storage savings for shared photos. You can disable this in Settings → Photos → Transfer to Mac or PC.
When to Use HEIC vs JPG
Use HEIC When:
• You stay primarily within Apple ecosystem
• iPhone storage is limited (16GB, 64GB, 128GB models)
• You pay for iCloud storage and want to reduce costs
• Photo quality and storage savings both matter
• You're willing to convert when sharing to non-Apple users
• You use modern devices (2017+ for Apple, 2019+ for Android)
Use JPG When:
• You frequently share photos with Android/Windows users
• You upload photos to various websites and services
• You use older photo editing software
• You print photos at professional labs
• Universal compatibility is more important than storage
• You have ample storage and don't worry about space
Converting Between HEIC and JPG
Why You Might Need to Convert
Even if you shoot in HEIC, you'll likely need to convert to JPG for sharing. Common scenarios include emailing photos to non-iPhone users, uploading to websites that don't support HEIC, sending to photo printing services, or using photos in older software applications.
Conversion Doesn't Restore File Size
Converting HEIC to JPG creates larger files, but converting JPG to HEIC doesn't magically make them smaller. The HEIC compression only works during the initial photo capture. Converting existing JPGs to HEIC just wraps the already-compressed JPG data in a HEIC container without space savings.
Use our HEIC to JPG Converter to quickly convert iPhone photos for universal compatibility. The conversion preserves quality and handles batches of multiple photos at once. No installation required - works directly in your browser.
How to Switch Formats on iPhone
Change Camera Format
- Open Settings app
- Scroll down and tap Camera
- Tap Formats
- Choose High Efficiency (HEIC) or Most Compatible (JPG)
Change Transfer Format
- Open Settings app
- Scroll down and tap Photos
- Scroll to Transfer to Mac or PC
- Choose Automatic (converts to JPG) or Keep Originals (stays HEIC)
The "Automatic" setting is clever - it keeps photos as HEIC on your iPhone for storage savings but converts them to JPG when transferring to incompatible devices. This gives you the best of both worlds.
Professional Photography Considerations
HEIC for Casual Shooting
For everyday snapshots and social media photos, HEIC is excellent. The quality is superb, files are small, and modern platforms handle HEIC well. Professional photographers shooting with iPhone often use HEIC for behind-the-scenes content and quick captures.
JPG for Client Deliverables
Professional deliverables should usually be JPG for maximum compatibility. Clients expect to open photos on any device without installation of codec packs or conversion steps. The slightly larger file size is worth the universal compatibility.
RAW for Editing
Neither HEIC nor JPG is ideal for serious editing - both are compressed formats. If you're doing extensive post-processing, shoot in ProRAW (iPhone 12 Pro and later) instead, which provides maximum editing flexibility at the cost of much larger files (10-25MB per photo).
Future of HEIC Adoption
Growing Support
HEIC adoption is slowly expanding. More Android manufacturers support it, Windows 11 includes native support, and major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Google Photos handle HEIC seamlessly. The format's superior compression makes broader adoption likely over time.
Remaining Barriers
Legacy systems, older devices, and professional workflows remain barriers to universal HEIC adoption. Many organizations standardize on JPG for compatibility reasons, and changing established standards takes years or decades.
JPG was introduced in 1992 and took a decade to become dominant. HEIC launched in 2017 and has achieved significant adoption in the Apple ecosystem but remains niche elsewhere. Full universal adoption may take another 5-10 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much smaller are HEIC files than JPG?
HEIC files are typically 40-50% smaller than equivalent quality JPG files. A typical iPhone photo that's 3MB as JPG will be approximately 1.5MB as HEIC with the same or better visual quality. This space savings is consistent across different types of photos.
Does HEIC lose quality compared to JPG?
No, HEIC maintains equal or better quality at smaller file sizes. At the same file size, HEIC actually looks better than JPG due to more advanced compression algorithms. The quality perception at iPhone's default settings is virtually identical despite HEIC being half the size.
Should I switch my iPhone from HEIC to JPG?
Keep HEIC if storage space matters and you primarily share within Apple ecosystem. Switch to JPG if you frequently share photos with Android/Windows users or have compatibility problems. You can also use HEIC for storage and set transfer mode to "Automatic" to convert on sharing.
Can I convert HEIC to JPG without losing quality?
HEIC to JPG conversion preserves the visual quality present in the HEIC file. The JPG will be larger (2x file size) but won't lose noticeable detail. Use our HEIC to JPG converter with high quality settings (85-95%) for best results.
Why can't my PC open HEIC files?
Windows 10 and 11 require the HEIF Image Extensions codec from Microsoft Store to open HEIC files. Alternatively, convert HEIC photos to JPG for universal compatibility without needing codec installations. This is often easier than installing codecs on every device.
How much iPhone storage will HEIC save me?
For every 10,000 photos, HEIC saves approximately 15GB compared to JPG. If you have 5,000 photos, expect to save 7-8GB. The exact savings depends on your photo subjects, but 40-50% reduction is typical across all photo types.