Sep 10, 2026, 2:22 PM2 views

What is Reference Images, Apple’s new feature to verify photos on iPhone 18 Pro?

Apple also announced support for Google DeepMind’s SynthID watermarking standard to help users identify images that have been generated or edited with AI.

4 min readNew DelhiSep 10, 2026 02:22 PM IST

Apple Reference Image provides users with an unalterable reference photo, visually confirming what the sensor saw at the moment of capture. (Image: Apple)

The need to help people distinguish real images from AI-generated ones is so urgent that Apple, during its hardware-focused keynote on Wednesday, September 9, squeezed in an announcement about its latest efforts to prove if a photo is authentic or not.

The tech giant announced a new feature called Apple Reference Image that is designed to serve as a ‘digital negative’, allowing users to see what the camera originally captured and compare it with any altered images.

Apple Reference Image ships with the slate of new premium smartphones unveiled by Apple on Wednesday, including the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, that comes with iOS 27 the latest version of Apple’s operating system designed for iPhones.

The Indian Express Verified Source

Reported by @indianexpress · Syndicated via official news feed

Read Full Story on The Indian Express

Explore all India stories

Syndicated feed content with full publisher credit.

India Desk

More in India

Continue reading verified coverage and related developments on this desk.

View All

INDIA5M AGO

Ferry fire in Philippines leaves 5 dead, over 80 missing

At least 5 people were killed and over 80 went missing after a massive fire broke out aboard the MV June Aster ferry traveling to Palawan, Philippines.

INDIA7M AGO

Who are the Sikh businessmen defending RSS chief’s visit to London gurdwara

They are UK-based businessman and philanthropist Peter Virdee and Rajya Sabha MP and entrepreneur Vikramjeet Singh Sahney

INDIA7M AGO

The viral 80s AI trend comes with a price

The viral 80s AI trend is now a social media craze where users, for the fear of missing out, use artificial intelligence to reimagine their modern selfies as retro portraits.

INDIA7M AGO

West Bengal CID detains Abhishek Banerjee's aide after SC rejects anticipatory bail plea in land case - Deccan Herald

West Bengal CID detains Abhishek Banerjee's aide after SC rejects anticipatory bail plea in land case Deccan Herald

INDIA7M AGO

Xiaomi probe report: China urges India to 'provide fair, just business environment' - Firstpost

Xiaomi probe report: China urges India to 'provide fair, just business environment' Firstpost

INDIA9M AGO

Karan Johar supports Rhea Chakraborty, calls out Mallika Sherawat’s comment on jail term

At the recently held Traitors 2 Reunion, while Rhea Chakraborty was absent, Karan Johar took a stand for her and confronted Mallika Sherawat.