Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Apple’s Reference Image Helps Verify Photos On New iPhones
Apple has created a feature called Apple Reference Image for some new iPhones.
It saves an unchangeable version of what the camera saw when a photo was taken.
People can compare this reference picture with another version that may have been edited.
This can help show whether a photo was changed after it was captured.
Apple says the feature may also help people tell camera photos apart from AI-generated images.
The company says it is especially useful for photographers and photojournalists.
Reports agree that it is available on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
One report also says it comes with Apple’s iPhone Duo foldable phone.
Apple introduced Apple Reference Image as a way to show what an iPhone camera originally captured.
The feature creates an unalterable reference photo that users can compare with edited images.
Apple says it is intended to help distinguish authentic photographs from AI-generated or altered images.
Apple Reference Image is reported for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, while another report says it also ships with the iPhone Duo.
Apple said the capability is particularly important for photojournalists and photographers.
- Who
- Apple introduced the feature for users of its latest premium iPhones.
- What
- Apple Reference Image provides an unalterable reference photo to help verify whether an image was changed after capture.
- When
- It was announced during Apple’s hardware keynote on Wednesday, September 9.
- Where
- At Apple’s iPhone launch event; the reports do not specify the event’s location.
- Why
- To help distinguish original camera photos from altered or AI-generated images, particularly for photographers and photojournalists.
- Feature
- Apple Reference Image
- Function
- Provides an unalterable reference photo showing what the camera sensor captured
- Purpose
- Helps users compare an original capture with altered images
- Reported devices
- iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max; one report also includes the iPhone Duo
- Operating system
- iOS 27
- Announced
- Wednesday, September 9, during Apple’s hardware-focused keynote
- Stated importance
- Apple said the feature is vital for photojournalists and photographers
