Experienced a week using the iOS 26 Camera app - here are 3 positive aspects and 2 drawbacks from a photographer's perspective
The Camera app in iOS 26 has undergone a significant transformation, delivering a cleaner, minimalistic, and more intuitive user interface compared to its predecessor in iOS 18.
Key Features of the New Camera App
The main visible options in the new app are now just "Video" and "Photo" at the bottom of the screen, acting as anchors for a long carousel of shooting modes. Swiping left from "Video" reveals video modes (e.g., Cinematic), while swiping right from "Photo" shows photo modes (e.g., Portrait).
Updated User Interface
The updated UI reduces visual clutter and distractions, focusing on simplicity with only essential controls visible by default. The Camera Control menu has been significantly overhauled and is now much clearer, with clear labels for each option housed inside Liquid Glass.
Swipe-Based Mode Navigation
Instead of fixed tabs or buttons, you swipe left or right to access additional photo and video modes. Swiping up on the mode selector reveals a clean, scrollable list of settings specific to that shooting mode at the bottom of the screen.
Improved Filter Selection and Customizable Camera Layout
The new app addresses both casual users and creators' needs by offering improved filter selection and customizable camera layout. Additionally, AI-powered shooting modes are suggested, although details are limited.
Advanced Features and Settings
For those seeking more advanced features, users can set up the app with tools hidden in the settings menu, such as enabling Grid, Level, Apple ProRaw, Preserve Settings, Camera Mode, and Exposure Adjustment. The video menu now includes a feature called QuickTake, named after Apple's forgotten digital camera.
Learning Curve and Additional Features
The new navigation bar in the iOS 26 Camera app requires a learning curve due to simultaneous movement with the Liquid Glass toggle. For more tweaks, users can refer to a guide on how to set up the iPhone 16 (or older models) to take great photos. In more recent betas, Apple has added an option in the Camera Settings to change the navigation bar behavior to 'Classic Mode Switching'.
In comparison to iOS 18’s more cluttered and static Camera UI, iOS 26 offers a more fluid, modern, and user-friendly interface with enhanced functionality and intelligent aids for better photography. However, for manual focusing and other advanced features, users may still prefer third-party apps like Halide, ProCamera, and Camera Obscura.
In summary, iOS 26 transforms the Camera app by focusing on minimalism, gesture-based navigation, and smart feature enhancements, making it distinctly more streamlined and powerful than iOS 18’s camera experience. The Photos app has also received a redesign that complements the Camera app improvements, featuring a "Liquid Glass" menu and better photo browsing experience.
- The new Camera app in iOS 26 features a swipe-based mode navigation system, allowing users to access additional photo and video modes by swiping left or right.
- In addition to simplifying the user interface, the updated Camera app in iOS 26 offers improved filter selection and customizable camera layout for both casual users and creators.
- For users seeking more advanced features, the iOS 26 Camera app offers tools such as Grid, Level, Apple ProRaw, Preserve Settings, Camera Mode, Exposure Adjustment, and QuickTake, hidden within the settings menu.
