With iOS 27, Apple is introducing a new version of its system-level RAW image processing engine. It uses machine learning to greatly improve detail and reduce noise, including when reprocessing older RAW photos. Here are the details.
iOS 27 to include RAW 9
If you’re not familiar with RAW, it is basically an image format that preserves the data captured directly by a camera’s sensor, giving photographers greater flexibility when editing elements such as exposure, color, and white balance.
Apple has its own system-level pipeline for processing RAW files from third-party cameras, exposed to apps through Core Image. It currently includes support and camera-specific calibrations for nearly 800 camera models, with the full and regularly updated compatibility list available here.
Over the years, Apple has updated its RAW processing algorithm eight times, improving how it handles sensor data, demosaicing, denoising, and adjustments such as white balance, exposure, color, and tone.
