Snapseed 4.0 arrives with a built-in camera, pro controls, and a revamped interface — all for free.
Google has released a major update to its photo editing application, Snapseed. Version 4.0 for Android, and a corresponding update for iOS, introduce a built-in camera feature and a redesigned user interface.
New Camera Feature
Both the Android and iOS versions of Snapseed now include a dedicated camera, accessible from within the app. On Android, the camera is opened via a floating action button in the main gallery view. On iOS, a camera icon is located in the top-right corner of the app. Android users with version 4.0.1 can long-press the app icon to access a "Camera" shortcut for direct entry into the camera mode.
The Snapseed Camera includes a "Pro" mode, activated by a toggle, which provides manual controls for ISO, shutter speed, and focus. Users can also adjust exposure and flash settings. The application offers real-time film simulations and custom saved looks that can be applied before taking a photo. All images captured with the camera maintain a full editing stack, allowing users to modify or revert any applied effects after the photo is saved.
Film Simulations and Viewfinder Themes
The camera provides a selection of real-time film simulations. These styles, as listed in the app, include:
- KP1 (Kodak Portra 400 inspiration)
- KP2 (Kodak Portra 160 inspiration)
- KG1 (Kodak Gold 200 inspiration)
- KE1 (Kodak E200 inspiration)
- FS1 (Fuji Superia 200 inspiration)
- FS2 (Fuji Superia 800 inspiration)
- FP1 (Fuji Pro 400h inspiration)
- AG1 (Agfa Optima 200 inspiration)
- AS1 (Agfa Scala 200 inspiration)
- PD1 (Polaroid 600 inspiration)
- TC1 (Technicolor inspiration)
Users can also select different color themes for the viewfinder, including Editor, Dusk, Negative, Steel, Haze, and Depth.
Interface and Additional Features
The app’s user interface has been refreshed. The new editor in the Android version features three bottom tabs: Looks, Tools, and Export. The Tools tab organizes functions into groups labeled Refine, Fix, Style, and All. Both the iOS and Android versions now feature a redesigned homepage grid.
Snapseed continues to offer over 30 professional-grade editing tools, including One-Touch Masking, Batch Edit, Halation, and Bloom. The application is free to use and does not include subscriptions or advertisements.
Availability
The Snapseed 4.0 update for Android is widely available via the Google Play Store. The iOS version (identified as version 3.15.0) is available for free on the App Store. A subsequent update for Android, version 4.0.1, has been released which includes the home screen shortcut. Reports indicate the earlier iOS version received the camera feature as a soft-launch in December of the previous year. Google representatives have been responding to user feedback on the Snapseed subreddit, and the update notes that the app may address compatibility issues on certain devices.