After years of minimal updates, Google has surprised us with a significant refresh of its popular photo-editing app, Snapseed. Version 3.0, now available for iPhone and iPad, introduces a slick interface, smoother controls, and new features designed to improve your photo edits.

A Stylish Interface and New Features

If you don’t have Snapseed yet, head to Apple’s App Store and download the latest version. The new look was noticed by 9to5Google, as there was no official press release about the update.

As Google says:

You might notice some new things sprouting around here.

The first change you will see is the new grid view on the home screen. This makes it easy to see and manage previously edited photos. At the bottom center, there’s a “plus” floating action button (FAB), clearly designed for quick edits.

The editing tools themselves have also been neatly organized into three simple tabs:

• Looks: Instant, one-tap filters.
• Faves: Your personalized space to save tools you frequently use.
• Tools: An entire library of Snapseed’s powerful editing options.

Also, Google has shifted the Export button to the top-right corner, freeing up space and simplifying navigation.

A standout feature is the new arc-based control system. Instead of traditional sliders, adjustments now follow a curved path. I found this surprisingly intuitive and precise when tweaking brightness, contrast, and other settings.

The update also includes subtle visual enhancements like a fresh, simpler app icon of a green leaf logo that’s quite modern.

Snapseed Hasn’t Been Forgotten

If you’re like me, you probably wondered if Snapseed had been left behind. The last major update was years ago, and minor bug fixes didn’t promise much. This facelift hints that Google wants to make Snapseed one of the necessary photo editing apps on your iPhone or iPad.

Snapseed has always had a fan base because of its powerful tools wrapped in a free package without ads or add-on subscriptions. The redesign hasn’t sacrificed that. Whether you’re quickly touching up a photo or diving into advanced edits, the new version should make everyone happy.

Mobile editing apps like Lightroom, VSCO, and Instagram constantly evolve. Snapseed’s update gives it some steam to compete strongly again, especially with appealing features like the new film-style filters reminiscent of classic Kodak and Fuji films. In many cases, I find Snapseed better than Lightroom Mobile for photo edits.

Currently, this update is exclusive to iOS devices. However, the significant nature of these improvements suggests Google won’t leave Android phones behind. The update’s release notes hint at more enhancements soon, so if you are on Android, you can reasonably expect similar improvements down the line.