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Story summary
- Apple unveiled reference image technology on iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max at its September “Surprise and Shine” event.
- The new sensor embeds pixel-level signatures that Apple’s private cloud converts into viewable reference images.
- Reference files are 8–10 MB, about 3 MB larger than regular photos.
- iOS 27 API enables third-party apps to display reference images for photographers using tools like Photoshop.
- Only iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate devices can view reference images.