Google launches Snapseed camera for iPhone with pro manual controls and retro film effects
Following a soft rollout in December, Snapseed for iOS now officially introduces a built-in camera, expanding the app from a pure image editor to a more complete photography workflow.
Previously, the Snapseed camera could only be accessed from a Lock Screen widget, Control Center, or Camera Control. A new camera icon has now appeared in the app’s top-right corner.
Since last year, Snapseed has added manual exposure and focus adjustments. You can enable a PRO mode from the new top-left toggle, which reveals three controls at the bottom of the viewfinder: ISO, Shutter Speed, and Focus. There’s also a skeuomorphic dial to switch from Auto.
Flash has moved to the bottom-left, with zoom controls on the opposite side.
In addition to using your saved Looks, Snapseed’s camera provides real-time film emulations in the following styles:
- KP1: Kodak Portra 400 inspired
- KP2: Kodak Portra 160 inspired
- KG1: Kodak Gold 200 inspired
- KE1: Kodak E200 inspired
- FS1: Fuji Superia 200 inspired
- FS2: Fuji Superia 800 inspired
- FP1: Fuji Pro 400h inspired
- AG1: Agfa Optima 200 inspired
- AS1: Agfa Scala 200 inspired
- PD1: Polaroid 600 inspired
- TC1: Technicolor inspired
The design continues the skeuomorphic vibe with a rewind-style animation when switching films. Google explains that every photo you take carries a full editing stack, meaning you can adjust, fine-tune, or revert any aspect of the look even after saving the image to your gallery.
Other options let you change the viewfinder’s Color Theme to Editor, Dusk, Negative, Steel, Haze, or Depth.
Snapseed 3.15.0 is now available in the App Store and is completely free. Google is also updating the Android app with the redesigned editor that debuted on iPhone and iPad last year.
Would you try the new iOS Snapseed camera with pro controls and retro film looks, or do you prefer sticking to the traditional editing workflow outside the camera? Share your thoughts in the comments.
