3 Free Photo-Editing Phone Apps for Android and iOS

Some purists might still debate the virtues of phone cameras versus standalone cameras. At the same time, nobody can argue that it’s impossible to take a photo with a camera that’s still at home in the closet. The thing is, people almost always have phones with them. Stay prepared to take great photos at any time with the right photo-editing phone apps for iPhone and Android. These apps also work with other devices, like tablets, and provide an all-in-one solution.

Any visit to the Google Play Store or the iPhone App Store should uncover plenty of options for free photo-editing software options. To save time, start by considering these top choices.

CNET Ranked Snapseed (iOS and Android) first on its suggestions for free photo-editing phone apps. Google owns Snapseed, but it has versions for both Android and iOS. Top features include layer effects and filter options. The app also includes many color and exposure options.

Adobe also offers iOS and Android versions of Lightroom, but the company only supplies a limited version for free. Access to the full software costs $5 per month. At the same time, Adobe Lightroom earned a reputation as the standard for pros. The mobile app offers many of the same features as the original software. Lightroom also stores images in the cloud, so users can even move from one device to another as they work.

For a completely free Adobe photo-editing app, take a look at Photoshop Express. It includes many of the basic functions that Lightroom provides but lacks Lightroom’s cloud storage and some professional tools. Additionally, it offers a solid experience that lets photographers bring out the best in their images. Some photographers might want to start with Photoshop Express and then move to Lightroom if they outgrow it.

Digital Photography School admits they have a bias towards high-quality, “real” cameras. However, they admit that the best camera choice depends upon many individual factors. For instance, it might take longer to learn to use a DSLR or mirrorless camera well. Phone cameras can make taking decent shots simpler. Also, it’s true that most people carry their phones around with them when they may not have packed up their larger cameras.

Drawbacks of phone cameras might include somewhat less control over exposure and slightly lower quality images. However, with good photo-editing software for images meant mainly for online sharing, these issues may not make that much difference.

And yes, plenty of photographers use good phone cameras and photo-editing software to produce images that they use professionally. Also, with the news of the Samsung-Olympus partnership to produce phone cameras, the line between phone cameras and standalone cameras might blur even more.

Budding phone photographers will want to invest in a high-quality device. They need high-quality lenses and top-notch performance to run the best photo-editing phone apps. Obviously, these sorts of Android and Apple phones require an investment of several hundred dollars.

In addition, an Upsie smartphone warranty will protect the phone against all sorts of common problems including accidents, wear, and defects. When compared to other warranty companies, Upsie charges up to 70 percent less and provides access to 24-7 phone support for claims.

Take the time to choose the best phone and photo-editing software. Then make the easy choice to add Upsie protection. Besides phones, Upsie also covers digital cameras and all kinds of electronic devices.