Apple Endorses AVIF Photo Format for a Faster Web on iOS 16

The smaller files render more quickly in browsers, speeding up the experience of internet surfers.

Smaller photo sizes also ease the pain of monthly data caps.

Google foundAVIF file sizes are about half that of JPEGsat the same quality.

Netflix likes AVIF’s “superior compression efficiency” and its support for HDR imagery.

Apple didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Adding new file formats to the web and tools to your smartphone camera app is a difficult endeavor.

AVIF is also vying with JPEG XL, WebP 2 and HEIC, among other alternatives.

But broad web app support is a critical success.

Also happy: others who’d worked on AVIF support, like former Mozilla Firefox leader Andreas Bovens.

“Amazing to see it gain wide adoption!”

AVIF is short for AV1 Image File Format, which reflects its origins in the AV1 video compression technology.

AOM argues the terms help competition, though, not hinder it.

Apple’s support is a major boost for AVIF.