Technology never stops moving. Just as WebP is becoming standard, a new format has arrived to challenge the throne: AVIF (AV1 Image File Format).
The Tech Behind It
AVIF is based on the AV1 video codec, which is used by streaming giants like Netflix and YouTube to deliver high-quality video over slow connections. By taking a single frame of AV1 video, we get an AVIF image.
Why is it a big deal?
AVIF is incredibly efficient. It outperforms WebP by about 30% and JPG by 50%. It also supports:
- HDR (High Dynamic Range): Brighter whites and deeper blacks (10-bit and 12-bit color).
- Wide Color Gamut: More vivid colors than standard sRGB.
- Grain Synthesis: It can simulate film grain naturally without using tons of data.
The Catch
Support is growing but not universal. While Chrome and Firefox support it, some older browsers and image editors (like old Photoshop versions) don't know what to do with an .avif file yet. For now, it's best used as a progressive enhancement on websites, falling back to WebP or JPG for older devices.