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There’s a shared sentiment among the team at Android Authority when it comes to opinions about smartphone photography. Recently, my colleague Dhruv expressed his preference for the iPhone 16 Pro’s Photographic Styles over the Pixel 9 Pro’s more straightforward image processing. I found myself agreeing with his perspective. While I appreciate the power of Google’s Tensor G4 chip in the Pixel 9 Pro, there are moments when I desire images that aren’t so closely tied to reality. The versatility of Apple’s color profiles combined with the reliable performance of Google’s image processing made me consider a shift.
But what exactly should change? Should I venture into different camera applications like Open Camera or ProShot, or would it be more beneficial to explore new editing software such as Lightroom or VSCO? This question led me to reflect on my preferences.
Which photo editor do you use on your Pixel phone?
914 votes
Google Photos.
63%
Adobe Lightroom.
17%
VSCO.
4%
Something else — tell us in the comments.
6%
I don’t use a photo editor.
9%
The predicament of enjoying the Pixel Camera app
Historically, users seeking to enhance their Google Pixel cameras have aimed for one primary upgrade: manual controls. This feature remained absent until the Pixel 8 series was introduced, and even then, options like ISO adjustments and RAW shooting were limited to the Pixel 8 Pro. Personally, I have never been one to desire manual camera settings in a smartphone.
I might be the only one at Android Authority who prefers shooting in automatic mode. During outings, such as visits to the Smithsonian Zoo or celebrating Friendsgiving, I find adjusting intricate settings like the exposure triangle impractical. Typically, I only reduce brightness, as the standard images tend to be excessively bright for my taste. Overall, I’ve enjoyed the intelligent processing capabilities since the Pixel 5.
Additionally, abandoning the Pixel Camera app would mean losing various features powered by Google’s Tensor chipset. I would miss out on benefits like Add Me and the enhanced panorama functionality that simplifies capturing wide scenes. With each Google Feature Drop, I have grown to appreciate the refinements, and I’m not prepared to sacrifice those advancements.
In my view, the Pixel Camera perfectly balances user-friendly controls with advanced technology.
While numerous alternative camera apps exist, such as ProShot, which provides extensive pro-grade controls for photos and videos, their complexity doesn’t align with my needs. I prefer a streamlined experience, as I often aim to snap shots quickly and edit them subsequently. The recently launched Zerocam, which focuses on simplicity with minimal settings, unfortunately sacrifices vital functionalities like zoom and exposure adjustments in bright environments.
Ultimately, I’m content to stick with the Pixel Camera.
Longing for a film camera feel with my Pixel
Acknowledging that I appreciate Google’s camera capabilities and the functionality of the Pixel Camera leads me to the conclusion that I need a fresh photo editing solution. My goal is to bridge the gap between the Pixel 9 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro, reflecting the simplicity of my Fujifilm X100V camera. Essentially, I desire images from my Pixel that evoke genuine emotions rather than mere visual accuracy.
With my Fujifilm X100V, I can finalize my film simulation settings, make minor adjustments for specific conditions, and capture memories in the moment, saving detailed editing for later. The iPhone 16 Pro allows similar adjustments through its Photographic Styles, while I realize my Pixel 9 Pro may need new editing tools to achieve the desired effect.
Editing has always proven simpler than attempting to recreate a photographic moment.
I ultimately focused on three potential editing platforms: Google Photos, VSCO, and Lightroom Mobile. While Google Photos is an obvious choice due to its pre-installed presence, I was drawn to the potential of the other two after Dhruv praised them for achieving results similar to the iPhone’s features.
I decided to test my Pixel 9 Pro images using all three editing platforms. The advantage of selecting an editing solution over a new camera application became clear—I could refine past images effortlessly. Here are some examples from my quick assessments:
Sunset over the bay
Original Google Photos VSCO – G3 preset Lightroom
Neon sign downtown
Original Google Photos VSCO – P5 preset Lightroom
Dunes with a wooden fence
Original Google Photos VSCO – G3 preset Lightroom
After testing, I expected to determine a standout editor easily, but each option offers unique strengths and weaknesses. VSCO, while appealing, limits many features unless you’re willing to subscribe, providing only a few presets and basic exposure adjustments for free.
Lightroom Mobile follows a similar model, but my ongoing subscription for the desktop version skews my perspective; it grants seamless access to premium features and familiar presets, aiding in crucial adjustments like geometrical corrections. However, I noticed that some images, like the one with the dunes, appeared washed out compared to others.
On the other hand, Google Photos excels in accessibility. Immediately upon opening an image, it offers helpful suggestions for edits, typically enhancing colors or refining details. It performed well with the sunset photo but did not yield favorable results for the others.
Choosing a definitive winner proved challenging; ultimately, I lean towards what I already know.
How do you edit your smartphone photos?
287 votes
Built-in editor (Google Photos/Apple Photos)
69%
Third-party editor (Lightroom/VSCO)
22%
I don’t edit my photos
10%
Embracing Lightroom as my platform of choice
Thus, I welcome Lightroom Mobile into my editing routine, aligned alongside Google Photos. Although it didn’t dominate my tests, it demonstrated sufficient capability in essential tasks, suggesting that with practice, I could achieve my desired outcomes. The close resemblance to the desktop version aids my transition and facilitates a quicker learning process.
For those wishing to avoid subscription fees, Google Photos can suffice. It offers basic suggested edits, color enhancements, and straightforward filters, though its simplicity may lead to frequent menu navigation to achieve specific settings. The absence of a preset creation feature further emphasizes the need to consider Lightroom Mobile.
Ultimately, with a bit of effort, I believe I can elevate my Pixel 9 Pro photography to levels comparable to the iPhone 16 Pro or a mirrorless camera like Fujifilm’s X100V. Google has successfully positioned its flagship smartphone as an exceptional camera tool; I simply believe that with thoughtful edits, I can enhance those capabilities even further.
Source
www.androidauthority.com