Comparison

Cobalt Image vs XP4N

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Cobalt Image

Enhance your iPhone photos with advanced AI, HDR, and smart portrait modes. This app offers unparalleled control over non-raw images, featuring cutting-edge white balance and Luma curve adjustments. Access renowned digital and film emulations for professional-level editing.

Highlights
  • AI-enhanced picture processing
  • HDR and smart portrait modes
  • Advanced color models for HEIC files
  • Unprecedented control over non-raw photos
  • White balance and Luma curve adjustments
  • Renowned digital and film emulations
  • Direct editing from Apple Photos
Features
Read full description

Please note that Cobalt Image PHOTO is available through subscription plans. The Full Access Yearly subscription provides a 7-day trial period during which you can try the full app and decide to cancel at any time. Our Digital and Film packs are renowned for their accuracy and are now available for all images taken by your favorite device. Your AI-enhanced pictures with HDR and smart portrait mode will be the starting point for our emulations. Cobalt Image PHOTO introduces a new advanced tool powered by the latest color models, specifically designed for treating AI-enhanced iPhone HEIC files. Leveraging the best color science available, it enhances and edits your cherished memories captured by the iPhone. Experience unparalleled freedom with our image editor, where you’ll be astonished by the unprecedented level of control over your non-raw photos. Our advanced color pipeline, featuring cutting-edge white balance and Luma curve adjustments, elevates the app to extraordinary heights, setting a new standard in photo editing. Features: - A complete set of renowned emulations made by Cobalt, both Digital and Film (Film available on Full Access subscription) - Advanced BW scientific conversion - Advanced White Balance - Luma curve on CIECAM16 - RGB curves on ProPhoto - Brightness, Contrast, Saturation all on CIECAM16 - Clarity - Structure - Advanced grain - Vignette The app can also be accessed directly from Apple Photos through the sharing function, allowing for direct editing of the selected photo. Standard Apple Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

XP4N

Capture stunning panoramic photos with a cinematic aspect ratio. Emulate the look of 8 distinct film types, from moody night shots to soft daylight portraits. Enjoy a simple, ad-free, and subscription-free photography experience.

Highlights
  • 65:24 cinematic aspect ratio
  • 8 distinct film type simulations
  • No ads, subscriptions, or in-app purchases
  • Haptic and visual feedback
  • EV compensation by swiping
  • Save as lossless HEIF files
  • EXIF and GPS data saving
Features
Read full description

Based on the legendary XPAN with its unique cinematic panoramic 65x24 images, XP4N turns any scene into a movie set; every shot into a movie still. - Shoot in the amazing 65:24 cinematic aspect ratio - Simulate 8 distinct film types (some inspired by popular film types, such as Cinestill 800T) - NO ADS, NO SUBSCRIPTIONS, NO IN-APP-PURCHASES! - Use all available lenses - Haptic and visual feedback when taking pictures - Use volume up key as shutter button - EV compensation by swiping - Access to the high-resolution sensor (if available and enabled in settings) - Option to save as lossless HEIF files - Saves EXIF and GPS data in photos This app is designed to simulate the cinematic qualities of the XPAN, including emulation of 8 distinct film stocks that are often paired with this camera: NIGHT MODE Based on the Cinestill 800T film character with its moody teal cast and signature "halation" (red halos) around bright spots in the image. BALANCED MODE Inspired by Vision3 250D film stock, with its versatile personality and typical Hollywood-style color and contrast curves. DAYLIGHT MODE Based on the popular Portra 400 film; soft and warm hues and moderate contrast profile. Great for skin tones and dreamy landscapes. GRITTY MODE Inspired by the Lomography Metropolis film, which adds a "bleached" look that is reminiscent of gritty 90s movies. BLACK & WHITE MODES Following the characteristics black & white films, one mode offers a punchy and contrasty B&W style, while the other is soft and dreamy. NEON NIGHT (NEW) Enhances bright spots in night photos and adds vibrant, saturated glows for a "cyberpunk" vibe ETHEREAL (NEW) Classic soft focus mode, without the need to put grease on your lens! XP4N is consciously made to be the ultimate one-trick-pony. A point and shoot camera with only a single button: the shutter button. The internal image processing engine does the rest, based on your preferred film mode setting. (so don't expect deep camera controls... ;-). The resulting images are carefully tuned to have the pleasant silky quality of film and to get away from the oversharpened, hyper-punchy look typical of today's digital cameras.

Screenshots

Cobalt Image4 screens
XP4N4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Cobalt Image at Free against XP4N's $1.99. XP4N's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 2.3) and in-app purchases (none vs 3). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Cobalt Image is free to download; XP4N costs $1.99 up front. Cobalt Image sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.49 per month. XP4N asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

XP4N holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: XP4N has 44 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of Cobalt Image's written reviews are positive against 87% of XP4N's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cobalt Image ships an update every 5 days, XP4N every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on July 19, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Cobalt Image versus XP4N: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCobalt ImageXP4N
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating2.3 (6 ratings)4.7 (44 ratings) — better
Positive reviews55.6% of reviews86.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings644 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 daysEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscriptionPaid — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size203 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCobalt Image LTDBram Bos

Customer experience

Cobalt Image

All ratings6 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive55.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative44.4%

XP4N

All ratings44 ratings
Positive95.5%
Neutral4.5%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews53 reviews
Positive86.8%
Neutral11.3%
Negative1.9%

Bugs and requests

Cobalt Image

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

XP4N

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • App feels laggy at times
  • 48MP camera option doesn't increase image resolution

Requested features

10 requests
  • Portrait mode
  • Tap to focus and focus/exposure lock
  • Selfie mode
  • Self-timer
  • HDR or max-latitude mode for post-processing
Show 5 more
  • No-filter mode
  • Tri-X 400 film simulation
  • Sprocket emulation
  • Ability to change focus point
  • Preview of image in viewfinder before capture

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Cobalt Image

Subscriptions3
  • Cobalt Image Pro Digital$3.491 Month
  • Cobalt Image Pro Monthly$5.491 Month
  • Cobalt Image Pro Yearly7 Days trial$44.991 Year
None

XP4N

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Cobalt Image free?
Cobalt Image is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is XP4N free?
XP4N costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Cobalt Image or XP4N?
XP4N is rated higher. Cobalt Image averages 2.3 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while XP4N averages 4.7 from 44 ratings.
Do Cobalt Image or XP4N have ads?
Neither Cobalt Image nor XP4N shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cobalt Image or XP4N?
Cobalt Image ships an update every 5 days, and XP4N every 2 days. Most recently, Cobalt Image was updated on July 19, 2026 and XP4N on September 23, 2026.

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