What is Project Indigo?
Project Indigo is Adobe's experimental camera app that launched in June 2025, developed by their Nextcam team. What makes this particularly exciting is that it was created by former Google Pixel camera engineers, including Marc Levoy, who previously worked on Google's computational photography algorithms. This isn't just another camera app it's a complete reimagining of iPhone photography.
The GCam Connection: Why This Matters
Google Camera revolutionized smartphone photography by using computational photography to combine multiple frames into a single, dramatically improved image. Features like HDR+ and Night Sight made budget Android phones take photos that rivaled expensive DSLRs. iPhone users have long waited for similar capabilities, and Project Indigo delivers exactly that.
Key Features That Set Indigo Apart
Advanced Multi-Frame Processing
Like Google Camera's HDR+, Project Indigo captures and combines multiple frames – but takes it even further. While GCam typically uses 9-15 frames, Indigo can combine up to 32 underexposed frames for a single shot. This approach reduces noise dramatically while preserving highlight detail better than traditional smartphone photography.
Natural Image Processing
One of Indigo's biggest advantages over the standard iPhone camera is its more natural look. Adobe specifically designed the app to counter what they call the "overly bright, low contrast, high color saturation" look of typical smartphone photos. Instead, Indigo produces images with:
- Better shadow detail
- More balanced highlights
- Increased contrast
- More realistic color reproduction
Professional Manual Controls
Unlike the iPhone's native camera app, Project Indigo offers full manual control over:
- ISO
- Shutter speed
- Focus
- White balance
- Exposure compensation
This level of control was previously only available in third-party apps, but Indigo combines it with advanced computational photography.
Innovative HDR Technology
Indigo uses a hybrid SDR/HDR format that stores both standard and HDR versions in a single JPEG file. This format has been adopted by major tech companies including Adobe, Apple, Google, and Meta, making it future-proof for cross-platform compatibility.
Experimental AI Features
The app includes cutting-edge features like "Remove Reflections," showcasing Adobe's experimental AI capabilities in real-world photography scenarios.
How It Compares to Google Camera
Device Compatibility
Project Indigo is available for:
- iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max (and newer Pro models)
- iPhone 14 (non-Pro) and newer standard models
The app is currently iOS-only, but Adobe has confirmed an Android version is in development.
Real-World Performance
Early reviews from photography enthusiasts have been overwhelmingly positive. Users report that Indigo consistently produces images with better shadow detail, more balanced exposure, and a more natural look compared to the iPhone's native camera app. The trade-off is processing time with up to 32 frames being combined, each shot takes longer to process than traditional smartphone photography.
The Future of iPhone Photography
Project Indigo represents a significant shift in iPhone photography. For the first time, iPhone users have access to computational photography that rivals or exceeds what Android users have enjoyed with Google Camera. The app's development by former Google engineers brings proven expertise to the iOS ecosystem.
Getting Started
The best part? Project Indigo is completely free and doesn't require an Adobe account (at least for now). You can download it directly from the App Store and start experimenting with professional-grade computational photography on your iPhone immediately.
Should You Switch?
If you're serious about iPhone photography and have been envious of Google Camera's capabilities, Project Indigo is a game-changer. While it may not completely replace your iPhone's camera app for quick snapshots, it's perfect for when you want the best possible image quality and don't mind waiting a few extra seconds for processing.
Project Indigo proves that the future of smartphone photography isn't just about better hardware it's about smarter software. Adobe has successfully brought the computational photography revolution to iPhone, and it's only the beginning.
Project Indigo is available now as a free download from the App Store. Compatible with iPhone 12 Pro and newer Pro models, or iPhone 14 and newer standard models.