With iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27, Apple is rolling out its first major overhaul of RAW processing in nine years this fall. RAW 9 replaces the eighth generation, which has been in use since 2017, and is expected to deliver significantly sharper and lower-noise photos thanks to machine learning—on iPhone, iPad, and Mac alike.
What exactly is Core Image RAW?
With Core Image, Apple provides a set of tools that allow both its own Photos app and numerous third-party apps to process images without requiring each developer to build their own image-processing engine. Since 2017, Apple has relied on RAW 8. RAW 9 is now the first major update since then.
Significantly Better Noise Reduction
With RAW 9, Apple now supports files from more than 784 camera models. But arguably the most important new feature is the improved noise reduction: In a sample photo taken with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III at ISO 51,200, RAW 9 reduces image noise visibly more effectively than its predecessor—while preserving more detail. In addition, Apple promises more accurate colors and sharper images overall.
More processing power required—but with a cache solution
Since RAW 9 relies on machine learning models, the new engine requires more resources than RAW 8. Apple emphasizes, however, that the basic image processing can be cached and does not need to be recalculated for every single adjustment. This should ensure usable performance even on an iPhone 17.
Who benefits from RAW 9?
RAW 9 must be supported by the respective app. Professional applications like Adobe Lightroom or Capture One use their own proprietary RAW engines and are therefore unlikely to be compatible. However, manythird-party camera apps on the iPhone rely on Core Image, so they should automatically benefit from the improvements after an update. More technical details can be found in a freely accessible developer session from Apple.
RAW 9 is thus part of a whole series of new features Apple is preparing for iOS 27—which, according to recent leaks, also includes a significantly revamped Wallet app.
If you’re interested in a current iPhone with RAW 9 support, check out the Apple iPhone 17 on Amazon.
