Apple Finally Builds the AI Photo Editor That Google and Samsung Have Had for Years
For years, Google and Samsung have offered AI-powered photo editing tools that Apple users could only envy. Now, according to a report from Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, Apple is preparing its own Apple AI photo editor for the next major software update. The features, dubbed Extend, Enhance, and Reframe, will arrive as part of a dedicated “Apple Intelligence Tools” section inside the Photos app on iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27.
This move signals a major shift for Apple, which has lagged behind competitors in integrating generative AI into its photo editing suite. While Google’s Google Photos introduced Magic Editor in 2023 and Samsung’s Galaxy AI followed with similar capabilities, Apple’s only offering so far has been the underwhelming Clean Up tool. But the Cupertino giant is now ready to step up its game.
What Will the New Apple Intelligence Photo Editing Tools Do?
The three new features in the Apple AI photo editor are designed to tackle common editing pain points—expanding images, enhancing quality, and adjusting perspective—all while running entirely on-device. Apple promises that edits will complete in seconds, a hallmark of its privacy-first approach.
Extend: Expanding Your Photos Seamlessly
The Extend feature uses AI to generate new imagery around the edges of a photo, effectively expanding the frame. For example, you can add surrounding context to a close-up shot or create negative space on either side of the subject. This is similar to Google’s Magic Editor, which lets you reframe images by generating missing content. However, Apple’s implementation relies on on-device machine learning, meaning your photos never leave your device.
Enhance: One-Tap Quality Boost
Enhance is a one-tap button that instantly adjusts color, lighting, and overall image quality. Instead of fiddling with multiple sliders, users can simply tap to improve a photo’s appearance. This feature is reminiscent of Samsung’s Galaxy AI’s “Photo Assist” tool, which offers similar automatic enhancements. For casual users, this could be a game-changer, making professional-looking edits accessible to everyone.
Reframe: For Spatial Photos on Vision Pro
Reframe is designed specifically for spatial photos captured on the Apple Vision Pro. It allows users to shift the perspective of a 3D image after it’s been taken, moving from a front-facing to a side-facing view. This is a niche but powerful feature for those using Apple’s mixed-reality headset, giving them more control over their immersive content.
Is Apple Actually Ready to Release All Three Features?
Not quite yet. According to Gurman, both Extend and Reframe are producing inconsistent results during internal testing. The underlying AI models may need more refinement before they can deliver reliable outputs. If the results don’t improve significantly by Apple’s September launch event, the company might delay these features or scale them back.
This is a familiar pattern for Apple, which often prioritizes polish over speed. However, the pressure is mounting. Google’s Magic Editor has been praised for its accuracy, and Samsung’s Galaxy AI features are now widely available on devices like the Galaxy S24. Apple’s Clean Up tool, which was introduced in iOS 18, has been criticized for being less effective than its rivals. As a result, the success of the Apple AI photo editor hinges on these new features working flawlessly.
In my opinion, Apple genuinely needs Extend, Enhance, and Reframe to work—and work in time for a showcase at WWDC 2026 and a public release in September. The company’s reputation for seamless user experience is at stake. If these features deliver on their promise, they could finally close the gap with Google and Samsung. If not, Apple risks falling further behind in the AI photo editing race.
For now, all eyes are on Apple’s next moves. The company has a history of entering markets late but executing with precision. Whether it can do the same with AI photo editing remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the battle for the best smartphone photo editor is heating up, and Apple is finally ready to play.
