Phocus Mobile vs GroundGlass
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Phocus Mobile
Edit and manage high-resolution RAW images from Hasselblad cameras on your mobile device. Experience natural color reproduction and advanced noise reduction with HDR capabilities for stunning detail and light.
- HNCS HDR image display, editing, and export
- Full quality RAW editing
- Multi-format RAW/JPG/HEIF download
- TIFF generation for lossless editing
- Camera control of capture parameters
- Download/delete images from camera
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“Hasselblad Natural Noise Reduction” is the first noise reduction model that can run locally on mobile, perfectly preserving Hasselblad's natural tones and image details, and noise reduction of 100 million pixel RAW images can be completed in about 15 seconds, further unlocking the potential of Hasselblad's images. When viewed on an HDR-capable iPhone or iPad, photos shot with the Hasselblad cameras truly come to life in Phocus Mobile — revealing the stunning light and shadow details and rich color gradations enabled by HNCS HDR. Expanding the possibilities of the Hasselblad workflow, Phocus Mobile takes the image editing process to a new, portable level. Enabling the traveling or studio photographer to have a quicker, more seamless workflow. Phocus Mobile can render natural and true colors to the greatest extent, taking full advantage of the Hasselblad Natural Color Solution (HNCS). The following functionality is supported: - Brand-new HNCS HDR image display, editing, and export experience - Full quality raw editing powered by HNCS engine - Support multi-format download (RAW/JPG/HEIF) - Supports generating TIFF for cross-platform quality lossless editing - Download or delete images from camera - Camera control of capture parameters - Supports generating full or medium size JPEG Compatible Camera Models [USB or Wi-Fi]: -X2D II 100C* -CFV 100C* -X2D 100C* -X1D II 50C -CFV II 50C *Only Chinese and English are supported within the app This app is only compatible with iOS and iPadOS. To use it on Mac devices, please download Phocus for Mac from the official Hasselblad website. For X1D/H system cameras, please download Phocus for X1D/H system from the App Store.
GroundGlass
This app helps large format photographers meticulously log every detail of their shoots. It automatically calculates settings, supports Zone System metering, and manages film workflows. Export records, analyze trends, and access a comprehensive equipment database.
- Complete shooting records
- Zone System metering
- iCloud Sync
- Film workflow management
- Record templates
- PDF export
- Statistics & analysis
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GroundGlass is a shooting log app built for large format photographers. Whether you shoot 4x5, 8x10 or any other format, GroundGlass captures every detail of the moment you press the shutter — from exposure settings and Zone System metering to camera movements and development records. KEY FEATURES ◆ Complete shooting records — Camera, lens, aperture, shutter, film, filters and movements, all in one place. Effective aperture is calculated automatically from bellows extension; holder numbers are one tap away. ◆ Zone System metering — Full metering workflow in the spirit of Ansel Adams: multiple readings, base subject selection, exposure decisions, with the zone distribution at a glance. Includes a built-in spot meter with pinch zoom. ◆ iCloud Sync — Records and equipment sync across your devices through your private iCloud database. Switch phones without worry. The developer has no access to your data. ◆ Film workflow — Record status (Shot → Developed → Scanned), film holder management, stock tracking with automatic sheet deduction, and batch development entry. From loading to archiving, everything is on file. ◆ Record templates — Save your go-to camera/lens/film combinations and apply them with one tap. ◆ PDF export — Index label PDFs for film sleeves and full-page record archive PDFs, with preview before sharing. ◆ Statistics & analysis — Shooting trends, gear usage, parameter distributions and a shooting calendar heat map, exportable as a report. ◆ Shooting map — All geotagged records gathered on one map. Revisit your footsteps. ◆ Calculators — Reciprocity failure, bellows exposure compensation, and depth of field with per-format circle of confusion presets. ◆ Extensive equipment database — About 180 large format camera models from 25 brands, including Linhof, Sinar, Arca-Swiss, Chamonix and Ebony. Lens presets from Schneider, Rodenstock, Fujinon, Nikkor and more. ◆ Professional filter management — Structured selection by brand, type and strength, including center filters, with automatic stacked compensation. ◆ Map-based location — One-tap locate, with reverse geocoding for place names and coordinates. ◆ Data backup — JSON import/export, with or without photos. Your data is always yours. ◆ Darkroom-themed interface — Amber-toned design with card layouts, made for photographers. Your data lives on your device and in your private iCloud database. We collect no personal information. Large format photography begins with a record.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: GroundGlass at 100% against Phocus Mobile's 47%. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Phocus Mobile ships an update every 2 weeks, GroundGlass every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Phocus Mobile | GroundGlass |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (522 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 46.6% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 522 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.2 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 435 MB | 16 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Hasselblad | 存滨 崔 |
Customer experience
Phocus Mobile
GroundGlass
Bugs and requests
Phocus Mobile
Reported bugs
18 issues- App crashes when opening high ISO files
- Photos disappear after update or when selecting for processing
- Export fails for multiple images, erasing original capture date/time
- Images not available in library despite camera connection
- App crashes on iPad Pro with M1/M2 chips
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- USB-C connection not recognized after updates
- Noise reduction adjustments not updating properly
- Moire and pattern noise appearing on JPEG export
- App fails to connect to X2D despite camera being recognized
- Exposure simulation locked on regardless of camera settings
- EV correction not working in all modes on X2D
- Live view picture cropped on long sides of frame
- Error when saving multiple photos to Photos app (PHPhotosErrorDomain error 3301)
- App crashes when resizing window with Stage Manager on iPad
- Wired connection not supported in recent versions
- TIFF export producing 8-bit files instead of 16-bit
- Drive mode settings overwritten when using remote shutter
- App not recognizing HEIF format files from camera firmware 3.0
Requested features
25 requests- Import photos from external SSD or USB storage
- Manual color control for watermarks
- Support for multiple camera connections
- Layer masking and adjustment layers
- Delayed shutter release/self-timer functionality
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- Erase/content removal tool
- Dodge and burn tools
- Export in HEIF/HEIC format
- 16-bit TIFF export capability
- Perspective/keystone correction
- Batch import retry functionality
- Custom watermark options with date/name
- Geo-tagging support
- Fine art frame auto-application
- Live view support for X2D
- Ability to import RAW files directly from app
- Compressed DNG export option
- Android version of the app
- Black point adjustment
- Portrait orientation support for live view
- Ability to stop interval drive mode remotely
- Precise value input for edits (not just sliders)
- HEIF10 or TIFF16 export for better dynamic range
- Files API integration between mobile and desktop
- Exposure simulation toggle for flash photography
GroundGlass
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Phocus Mobile
No in-app purchases
GroundGlass
No in-app purchases









