Focos

What it does

Focos is a powerful mobile photo editor designed for computational photography. It specializes in leveraging the depth data captured by modern smartphone cameras to give users an incredible level of control over focus, aperture, and lighting after a photo has been taken. The app allows users to create professional-looking photos with shallow depth of field, realistic bokeh, and advanced 3D lighting effects that are typically reserved for high-end cameras and desktop software.

Where it shines

Focos truly stands out with its professional-grade editing tools that are presented in a surprisingly intuitive mobile interface. The 3D lighting feature at 02:02 is a highlight, transforming the image into a 3D model where users can physically place and adjust light sources. Another impressive feature is its library of simulated real-world lenses (04:14), which accurately mimics the unique bokeh patterns of classic hardware, appealing directly to photography enthusiasts.

UX highlights

Tangible Controls: Instead of abstract sliders, Focos often uses direct manipulation. For example, adjusting aperture shows a real-time visual change and a f-stop number overlay (00:59), just like a real camera.
Depth Visualization: The app masterfully visualizes depth data. At 02:52, it shows a distorted 3D mesh of the subject, helping users understand the editing context.
Organized Toolset: Despite its power, the toolset is neatly organized into logical categories like Presets, Aperture, Lights, and Effects, preventing the interface from feeling cluttered.
Interactive Previews: When selecting presets or effects, the app provides clear, live previews that make it easy to choose the right look without guesswork.
Undo Functionality: A simple undo button is readily available (01:44), encouraging experimentation without fear of making irreversible mistakes.
Custom Lens Creation: The app allows users to create and save their own custom lens effects (04:18), a powerful feature for users looking to develop a signature style.

Monetization & growth

Focos employs a direct and immediate monetization strategy. After a brief privacy screen, the app presents a full-screen paywall at 00:06. It offers a 'Creator' bundle subscription which includes access to three other popular creative apps. The primary call-to-action is to start a 7-day free trial, which then converts to a weekly or yearly plan. This bundling strategy increases the perceived value and aims to capture high-intent users right at the beginning of their journey.

Who it’s for

Focos is aimed at serious mobile photographers, hobbyists, and content creators who want more control than what standard photo editing apps offer. Its terminology (aperture, f-stop, lens names) and advanced features suggest a user base that is already familiar with the fundamentals of photography and is looking for tools to replicate a DSLR-like aesthetic on their smartphone.

Notes & opportunities

The app is incredibly powerful, but its depth can be intimidating for casual users. While a tutorial section exists (06:43), integrating small, contextual tooltips within the main editor could improve discoverability. For example, a small pop-up explaining what 'Aperture' means the first time a user taps it could broaden the app's appeal without disrupting the clean interface for existing power users.