Apple has announced PICO, a new machine learning-based image compression codec designed to achieve higher perceptual quality with smaller file sizes than existing codecs like AV1, VVC, and JPEG-AI. PICO can reduce image data size by up to one-third for the same quality and offers a 20-40% bitrate reduction compared to other leading machine learning codecs, while also being optimized for practical on-device processing and inter-device compatibility.
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Add as preferred sourcePICO gives Apple a codec that pairs smaller files with perceptual quality targets, not just pixel matching, which matters for image-heavy workflows where storage and bandwidth are tight. The broader signal is that Apple is pushing machine-learning compression toward practical deployment, with explicit attention to rate control and inter-device compatibility rather than lab-only quality gains. What to watch next is whether Apple extends PICO beyond research by showing support for simple composite images like cartoons, where the paper says it may need a higher bitrate than conventional codecs.
