Comparison
| HEIC | JPG | |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | HEVC (H.265), typically about half the size at similar quality | JPEG (1992), larger files |
| Bit depth | 8 and 10 bits and more (HDR) | 8 bits |
| Transparency | yes | no |
| Multiple images in one file | yes (bursts, depth maps) | no |
| Compatibility | Apple devices, recent Android, Windows with extensions | practically everywhere |
| Web browsers | Safari only | all |
Keep HEIC when…
- you stay in the Apple ecosystem (Photos, iCloud, Mac),
- storage space matters,
- you want to keep HDR and wide-gamut colors for later editing.
Convert to JPG when…
- you send photos to Windows or Android users, print them or upload them to web forms,
- the photos go to a website (or use WebP),
- software you use does not support HEIC.
Converting does not improve quality – the JPG is a copy of what the HEIC contains. Keep the originals as an archive.
Frequently asked questions
Is HEIC better quality than JPG?
At the same file size HEIC usually looks better; at high JPG quality the visible difference is small.
Do I lose quality when converting HEIC to JPG?
A little, because JPG is lossy too. At 90 % quality or more the difference is practically invisible.
Should I switch my iPhone to JPG?
Only if you often share photos with devices that cannot open HEIC. Otherwise keep HEIC and convert when needed.