Mobile

Smartphone cameras have become one of the main ways everyday people capture photos and document life, and even professional photographers may use phones to shoot paid work. PetaPixel covers the latest news and information on how smartphones are transforming the way photographs are made.
A person wearing a blue jacket takes a photo of a lush, green forest using a smartphone. The individual is facing away from the camera, and trees fill the background.

Your Nature Photos Do Serious Science

Smartphones have affected many aspects of life, both good and bad. A particularly beneficial aspect of the surge of mobile photography has been people capturing the world in new ways, especially when it comes to scientific study.

A black Canon EOS digital camera with a large lens is shown against a blurred background with colorful bokeh lights.

Canon Says Smartphones Didn’t Destroy the Entry-Level Market and Could Help It Grow Again

Although improving smartphone image quality has dramatically reduced the size of the entry-level camera market, Canon believes that this same, shrinking market can be revitalized by convincing a generation of mobile photographers they can create better photos and videos with a traditional camera. If Canon has its way, the entry-level market is not just alive, but also has genuine potential for growth.

A young woman with long nails adjusts her sunglasses and looks at the camera, with two friends in the background, outdoors on a sunny day in a park.

Waves Are ‘Dumb’ Camera Glasses Aimed at Creators

Waves are a new brand of "all-day" camera glasses designed for content creators and are meant to be an invisible way to capture the world directly in front of the wearer. They're not smart glasses, but instead are just a face-mounted camera because "smart glasses are cringe."

A young boy with blue eyes sits under a blanket, illuminated by the light from a smartphone or tablet he is holding, staring intently at the screen in a dark environment.

Scientists Call for Ban on Social Media and Smartphones Before Age 13

A global, wide-reaching study has revealed that receiving a smartphone, and then using it to access social media, before the age of 13 is directly associated with poor mental health outcomes in young adulthood, specifically among young women. The results are so alarming that the researchers are calling for a global ban on them before a person reaches the age of 13.

The word "Android" in black letters with a green Android robot head on a background of blurred, colorful photographs.

Android’s Photo Picker Is Finally Getting Search

Android's Photo Picker has enabled Android smartphone owners to easily share photos across apps and social media platforms for years, but it will soon introduce a much-requested search function, allowing users to find specific images much faster.

A green square icon with rounded corners featuring a white video camera symbol in the center, commonly used to represent video calling or conference applications. The background is blurred with warm tones.

iOS 26 Can Freeze FaceTime Video if Nudity is Detected

Apple’s upcoming iOS 26 update is set to introduce several new privacy and safety features, including one that may automatically pause FaceTime video calls if nudity is detected. The feature was discovered in the iOS 26 developer beta and appears to be part of Apple’s broader Communication Safety initiative.

Colorful fireworks burst over a harbor at night, illuminating boats on the water and buildings along the shore. The sky is filled with pink and purple lights reflecting on the calm surface below.

How to Capture Fantastic Fireworks Photos With Your Smartphone

While many photographers will venture out to their local Fourth of July fireworks shows armed with a dedicated camera kit, what if you only have your smartphone on hand? It's still possible to get great shots as Google Senior Product Manager Alex King and Pixel Camera Senior Product Manager Michael Specht explain.