Is HEVC the Future? Exploring Next-Generation Video Codecs in 2026

If you've ever compressed a video on your iPhone, you've used HEVC. It's the codec Apple chose for the Camera app, iMessage, FaceTime, and AirDrop. It's the reason a one-minute 4K clip takes 350 MB instead of 700 MB. But in 2026, with newer codecs like H.266/VVC and AV1 making headlines, one question keeps coming up: is HEVC still the right choice, or is it already being replaced?

The short answer: HEVC isn't going anywhere soon. The longer answer involves understanding why it dominates today, what the alternatives actually offer, and when (if ever) you'll need to care about switching.

Why HEVC Still Dominates in 2026

HEVC (H.265) was standardized in 2013 and reached mainstream adoption when Apple shipped hardware encoding in the iPhone 8 and iPhone X in 2017. That was nearly a decade ago. In technology terms, that's ancient. So why hasn't it been replaced?

Universal hardware support. Every iPhone sold since 2017, every Mac with Apple silicon, every modern Android flagship, and every recent smart TV includes dedicated HEVC encoding and decoding chips. This means compression happens fast, uses minimal battery, and doesn't heat up your phone. No other codec can match this level of hardware coverage in 2026.

Apple's deep integration. HEVC isn't just supported on Apple devices; it's the default. When you record video on an iPhone, it records in HEVC. When you AirDrop a video, it stays in HEVC. Photos app, iMovie, Final Cut Pro, iCloud Photos—everything in Apple's ecosystem is built around HEVC.

Proven compression quality. HEVC delivers roughly 50% smaller files than H.264 at the same visual quality. For a typical iPhone user with 50 GB of video, that means saving 25 GB of storage. In real money, that's the difference between needing the 200 GB iCloud plan and staying on the free 5 GB tier.

The Challengers: H.266/VVC and AV1

Two next-generation codecs are positioning themselves as HEVC's successors. Both promise 30-50% better compression. But promises and practical reality are two different things.

H.266/VVC: The Official Successor

H.266, officially called Versatile Video Coding (VVC), was standardized in 2020 by the same organization that created HEVC. It's the "official" next step in the H.26x lineage.

What it offers:

• 30-50% smaller files than HEVC at the same quality
• Advanced block partitioning up to 128x128 pixels (vs HEVC's 64x64)
• Better motion compensation for drone footage and action shots
• Designed for 8K and 360-degree video

What's holding it back:

• Hardware encoding support is limited to a handful of 2025-2026 flagship chips
• Encoding is 10-20x more computationally expensive than HEVC
• Licensing terms are still being finalized, creating uncertainty for manufacturers
• No major mobile OS uses it as the default recording codec

AV1: The Royalty-Free Alternative

AV1 was developed by the Alliance for Open Media (Google, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Meta, Microsoft) and standardized in 2018. Its biggest advantage is that it's completely free to use—no licensing fees.

What it offers:

• 30-50% smaller files than HEVC (similar to VVC)
• Royalty-free licensing, which reduces costs for platforms
• Strong adoption in web streaming (YouTube, Netflix, Facebook)
• Excellent screen content and animation compression

What's holding it back:

• Hardware encoding on mobile is still rare in 2026
• Software encoding drains battery and takes significantly longer
• Apple supports AV1 decoding but doesn't use it for recording
• Not integrated into iOS camera or photo library workflows

When Will HEVC Actually Be Replaced?

Codec transitions take far longer than most people expect. Consider the timeline from H.264 to HEVC:

• 2003: H.264 standardized
• 2013: HEVC standardized (10 years later)
• 2017: First mainstream hardware support in iPhones (4 years after standardization)
• 2020: H.264 still widely used alongside HEVC (7 years after HEVC standardization)
• 2026: H.264 is still used for compatibility in messaging apps and web uploads

That's a 13-year overlap—and counting. HEVC will follow a similar pattern. Even if VVC hardware becomes widespread by 2027-2028, HEVC will remain the practical default for years beyond that.

What This Means for Your iPhone in 2026

Here's a practical breakdown based on how you actually use your phone:

If You Record Videos Casually

HEVC is the only codec that matters to you right now. Your iPhone already records in HEVC by default. Older videos shot in H.264 are the ones eating your storage—compressing those to HEVC with an app like HEVCut can reclaim 40-60% of that space instantly.

If You're a Content Creator

HEVC remains your best option for local storage and editing. When uploading to YouTube or social platforms, the platform handles transcoding to AV1 on their end. You don't need to encode in AV1 yourself—the platforms do it more efficiently with server-side hardware.

If You Shoot Drone or Action Footage

HEVC handles 4K 60fps drone footage well, but the high-motion content is where VVC will shine most when it arrives. For now, HEVC with appropriate bitrate settings delivers excellent results. If your DJI drone records in H.264, converting to HEVC can cut file sizes by 50% without visible quality loss.

If You're Running Out of Storage

This is the most common scenario, and the answer is clear: compress your existing library to HEVC now. The average iPhone user has 30-80 GB of video. Converting H.264 videos to HEVC typically saves 40-60% of that space. Waiting for VVC or AV1 means paying for iCloud storage you don't need to pay for.

The Real Question: HEVC vs. Doing Nothing

The debate about HEVC vs. next-generation codecs is interesting, but it misses the point for most people. The real question isn't whether HEVC will be surpassed—it will, eventually. The real question is whether you're using HEVC's capabilities today.

Most iPhone users have a mix of HEVC and H.264 videos. The H.264 files are twice as large as they need to be. Every month those files sit uncompressed, you're paying for unnecessary iCloud storage or running out of space on your device.

FAQ

Is HEVC still the best codec for iPhone in 2026?

Yes. HEVC offers the best balance of compression, speed, battery efficiency, and compatibility on iPhone. Hardware encoding means compression happens instantly without draining your battery. No other codec matches this combination on mobile devices today.

Should I wait for AV1 or VVC before compressing my videos?

No. Waiting means paying for unnecessary iCloud storage or living with a full phone. HEVC compression saves 40-60% of space right now. When newer codecs become practical, you can always re-encode from originals if needed.

Will my HEVC videos become incompatible in the future?

Extremely unlikely. HEVC is supported by billions of devices and is deeply embedded in Apple, Android, and Windows ecosystems. Like H.264 before it, HEVC will be supported for decades. No major platform has ever dropped support for a widely-adopted video codec.

Does AV1 produce better quality than HEVC?

At the same file size, AV1 can produce slightly better quality (roughly 20-30% more efficient). However, AV1 encoding on iPhone is software-only, meaning it's extremely slow and battery-intensive. The quality advantage is irrelevant if encoding a 1-minute clip takes 10 minutes and drains 15% of your battery.

When will VVC replace HEVC on iPhone?

Apple hasn't announced VVC recording support. Based on historical patterns (H.264 to HEVC took 14 years from standardization to default on iPhone), VVC could become the default sometime around 2030-2034. Even then, HEVC will remain supported alongside it.

Can I convert HEVC to AV1 or VVC for better compression?

Technically yes, but it's not practical on iPhone in 2026. Software encoding for AV1 and VVC is too slow and battery-intensive for mobile use. When hardware support arrives, this will become viable. For now, HEVC is the efficiency ceiling for practical mobile compression.