SMO vs Macro Mode
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SMO
Capture detailed macro and microscopic photos and videos with enhanced magnification and illumination. Features digital zoom, adjustable autofocus, and a timer for stable shots.
- Capture photos and videos
- Digital zoom for magnification
- Adjustable flashlight for illumination
- Manual and autofocus control
- Full-screen observation
- In-app timer for stable shots
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Application with dedicated functions for easy use of the BLIPS lenses; for Macro photos or videos, or for observation at Microscopic scales. FEATURES: - Ability to take pictures and to shoot videos. - Digital Zoom to further increase the magnification and to observe microscopic details on the smartphone screen. - Flashlight can be activated whenever the user wants to increase the illumination on the observed subject, for enhancing the image definition. - Autofocus normally turned off; it can be easily activated and locked, if needed. - Full use of the screen to observe the tiniest details directly on your smartphone. - Timer: for keeping the camera still during the shot
Macro Mode
Capture detailed close-up photos and videos with advanced manual controls for focus and exposure. This app automatically selects the best lens for macro shots and supports high-resolution video recording with HDR.
- Macro photography and videography
- Focus peaking and manual controls
- Adjustable LED flashlight brightness
- Automatic optimal lens selection
- 4K 60fps and 1080p 240fps slow-motion video
- HDR Dolby Vision support
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Shoot stunning macro photos and videos with your iPhone or iPad using Macro Mode. Focus Peaking & Manual Controls Precisely adjust focus and exposure using a simple slider. You can even control the brightness of the LED flashlight to get just the right amount of light on your subject. Always the Right Lens Macro Mode automatically uses the optimal lens for macro shots, avoiding switching between the ultra-wide and wide lenses. Macro Videos Record videos in up to 4K at 60 fps or 1080p slow motion at 240 fps, with full HDR Dolby Vision support.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: SMO at Free against Macro Mode's $2.99. SMO also leads on iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.0). Macro Mode's advantage is rating (4.4 vs 3.2) and review sentiment (60% vs 45%). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
SMO is free to download; Macro Mode costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Macro Mode holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Macro Mode has 95 ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 45% of SMO's written reviews are positive against 60% of Macro Mode's.
SMO ships an update every 4 months, Macro Mode every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SMO | Macro Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $2.99 |
| Rating | 3.2 (16 ratings) | 4.4 (95 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 45.5% of reviews | 59.5% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 16 | 95 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months — better | Every 7 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #117 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | SmartMicroOptics | Kenneth Kao |
Customer experience
SMO
Macro Mode
In-app purchases
SMO
No in-app purchases
Macro Mode
No in-app purchases
