Adobe has introduced a more advanced Photoshop mobile app, bringing many design, editing, and AI-powered features from the desktop version to smartphones.
The app is now available globally on iPhone, with an Android version expected “later this year.” It also integrates seamlessly with Photoshop on the web, allowing users to work on projects across multiple devices.
Since 2010, mobile users have had access to Photoshop Express, a simpler software version designed for quick edits. However, Adobe says the new Photoshop mobile app is a major upgrade, offering more powerful tools and a user experience closer to the full desktop version. While both apps share common features like resizing, masking, contrast adjustments, and object removal, Photoshop Express is more like casual editing apps such as Picsart and Facetune. The new Photoshop app, on the other hand, is designed for more serious creative work.
Unlike Photoshop Express, which focuses on quick edits and social media-friendly features, the new Photoshop mobile app is built for more complex design work. The free version gives users access to essential Photoshop tools, including layers, selections, masks, the Spot Healing Brush, and Tap Select. It also integrates with Adobe Creative Cloud apps like Adobe Express, Lightroom, and Fresco and provides access to Adobe Stock assets. Notably, the app includes Firefly-powered Generative Fill and Generative Expand AI tools, enabling users to create and modify images using artificial intelligence.
For those who need even more features, Adobe offers a premium subscription at $7.99 per month or $69.99 per year. This unlocks advanced tools like Object Select, Magic Wand, Content-Aware Fill, Clone Stamp, and the Remove Tool. Premium users also get access to enhanced blend modes, transparency controls, color effects, and the ability to use Generate Similar and Reference Image on the web-based Photoshop platform.
Adobe has not yet clarified its plans for Photoshop Express, which remains available with a lower-cost premium tier at $4.99 per month. However, running two separate Photoshop-branded mobile apps could create some confusion, especially with Adobe Express also in the mix as another mobile editing platform.
The launch of this new Photoshop mobile app makes sense, as Photoshop Express has never fully lived up to the full Photoshop experience. While useful for quick social media edits, it lacked the depth and versatility that professional designers and photographers expect. Meanwhile, competition in the mobile editing space is heating up. Apps like Canva continue to expand their AI-driven editing tools, and Apple recently acquired Pixelmator’s Mac and iOS apps, signaling increased investment in creative software.
The new Photoshop iPhone app is designed specifically for mobile use, with a touch-friendly interface that allows users to drag and select tools easily. Despite its mobile optimization, it still caters to professional designers and creatives who need more advanced tools for complex projects. With this launch, Adobe is bringing a more powerful, professional-grade Photoshop experience to mobile devices, ensuring that creatives can work seamlessly across different platforms. Now, users can expect a more complete editing suite at their fingertips—whether they’re working on a desktop, a tablet, or a smartphone.
