Adobe releases Photoshop 27.0

Adobe has released Photoshop 27.0, the latest version of the image-editing software, widely used in the entertainment industry for concept art, texture editing, and retouching renders.
The release adds a number of AI features, including new AI compositing system Harmonize, and a new image upscaling system with the option to use AI models created by Topaz Labs.
It is also now possible to use third-party AI models from Google and Black Forest Labs with the existing Generative Fill and Generative Expand features.
Non-AI-related workflow improvements include a new Color & Vibrance Adjustment Layer, and the option to import free stock images from Adobe Stock directly from the workspace.

Choose third-party AI models from Google and Black Forest Labs in Generative Fill
Photoshop 27.0 introduces a number of new AI features that were previously released in beta alongside Photoshop 26.9 earlier this year.
First, it is now possible to choose the AI model used by two of the generative AI features in Photoshop powered by Adobe’s Firefly toolset: Generative Fill and Generative Expand.
Although Adobe has been keen to promote its own AI models, which are trained on stock content from its own Adobe Stock library, as “commercially safe”, the company now allows users to switch to third-party AI models, regardless of the data on which they were trained.
In the case of Generative Fill, that means Google’s Gemini 2.5 (Nano Banana) and Black Forest Labs’ FLUX.1 Kontext.
Both are described as “premium features”, and consume 10 generative credits per use, compared to one credit per use for the standard Firefly AI model.
For context, single-app Photoshop subscriptions currently provide 25 free generative credits per month: additional credits require a separate Firefly subscription.

New AI-based Harmonize and Generative Upscale features
Two new AI features have also been brought across from the beta to the stable release.
Harmonize is an AI compositing feature based on last year’s Project Perfect Blend tech demo.
It automatically blends a foreground object into a background plate, automatically removing the image’s own background, and adjusting the lighting, color and shadows.
Generative Upscale is, not surprisingly, an AI image upscaler.
As with Generative Fill, it offers a choice of AI models: Adobe’s own, and those developed by a third party – in this case, the ones Topaz Labs uses in its Gigapixel software and Bloom web app.
The native Firefly Upscaler can upres images to 6,144 x 6,144 px resolution (37.7 megapixels), and consumes 5 credits for output resolutions below 9 megapixels; 10 for higher resolutions.
Again, the third-party models consume more generative credits: 10 or 20 for Gigapixel, according to output resolution, and a whopping 35 for Bloom.
Other new AI-related options
Other new AI features include the option to export an image from Photoshop to the Firefly web app to use as a source when generating video.

Workflow and performance improvements
Outside the AI tools, Photoshop 27.0 features a number of workflow improvements.
They include a new Color & Vibrance adjustment layer, for making adjustments to the color palette of an image non-destructively.
It’s a “reimagined” version of the old Vibrance adjustment, with a reorganized UI and new Temperature and Tint sliders.
Other changes include the option to browse and import free images from Adobe Stock from the Contextual Task Bar, rather than having to use the File menu, as in previous versions.
It is also possible to Export files to Adobe cloud accounts as well as Save them.
In addition, there are a number of UI updates and performance improvements, listed in the release notes.
New features from the previous release
The ‘What’s new‘ page on Adobe’s website also includes a number of features that we think were actually added last month in Photoshop 26.11.
They include the new Projects system for creating and managing shared cloud-based projects, the option to access Adobe Express templates from the Photoshop home screen, and to preview and import images previously generated using Firefly from the home screen.
We’ve contacted Adobe to check whether any changes have been made since Photoshop 26.11, and will update if we hear back.
Price and system requirements
Photoshop 27.0 is compatible with Windows 10+ and macOS 14.0+. In the online documentation, it is also referred to as the October 2025 release.
The software is rental-only, with Photography subscription plans that include access to Photoshop costing $29.99/month or $239.88/year.
Single-app Photoshop subscriptions cost $34.49/month or $263.88/year.
Read an overview of the new features in Photoshop on Adobe’s website
Read Adobe’s release notes for Photoshop 27.0
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