Smartphone photography has come a long way since the first iPhone’s single 2-megapixel camera in 2007. With phones now boasting multiple cameras with 48-, 50- or even 200-megapixel resolutions, the camera software has also gotten more complex, with more fine-tuned controls and features. Some are even boosted by artificial intelligence.

If you’re still finding your way around the latest app update or just got a new phone, here’s how to find the tools that let you create your best photos and videos. (Note: The options vary by phone model. The examples here were made with an iPhone 17 Pro Max and a Google Pixel 10 Pro.)

Apple iOS Camera

Apple redesigned the Camera app built into its iPhone this year with its latest operating system, iOS 26, so your first step might be finding where everything went. In the bottom center of the screen, there are now two buttons: Video and Photo. When you tap either one, a pop-up menu appears.

ImageAs shown on the left in Apple’s Camera app for iOS 26, tap the Photo button to open a menu of settings. As shown on the right, press your finger on either the Video or Photo button to reveal the menu of shooting modes. The small icons at the top of the screen indicate which settings are enabled.Credit...Apple

Tap Photo to adjust the exposure, aspect ratio, flash and other settings for pictures. Tap Video to see the settings for frame rate, resolution and other controls. (You can also get to these controls from the small row of icons in the top right-corner of the screen.)

In the Photo menu, you can choose a photographic “style” filter to apply to the photo you’re about to take, like vibrant colors or black-and-white. The camera’s timer settings are here as well, so you can set a shutter delay and get yourself in the holiday family picture.

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