The $30 Android camera app that makes my phone photos look like they were shot on film

https://www.androidpolice.com/the-30-android-camera-app-that-makes-my-phone-photos-look-like-they-were-shot-on-film/

Publish Date: 2026-03-07 06:00:00

Smartphone photography has come a long way. Most phones today capture incredibly sharp photos at multiple focal lengths and can even tackle challenging lighting conditions with ease.

I’d say that photos and, specifically, computational photography, have become so good that it is surfacing a whole new problem.

Smartphone photos look too good and too perfect today. The colors are spot on accurate, so is the contrast and the results tend to lack the subtle imperfections that make photographs feel authentic.

It’s funny that the more I use my phone for photography, the more I yearn for the old-school imperfections that were part and parcel of film photography.

That’s why I install VSCO on every phone that I use. The popular photo editing and camera app focuses heavily on film-inspired camera pallets and looks.

The app is known for trying to replicate the tone and color profiles of classic film stock instead of goofy-looking aggressive filters.

Now, you could get away with the free version of the app, but I pay for the VSCO membership that runs me about $30 per year simply because it gives me the full library of presets and editing tools.

VSCO has become my go-to tool for everyday smartphone photography because it helps my smartphone photos feel less like a perfect representation, and more of a creative choice. If you’re interested in photography, you’ll know how important that is.