I’ve had a long history with photo books — and not a particularly happy one. My earlier attempts using various platforms ended in frustration and unfinished projects. So, with cautious optimism, I tried Popsa’s Android app to see if it could deliver a smoother, more user-friendly experience.

Spoiler alert: it absolutely did.

I should note that the iOS app works the same way, so Apple users can expect a similar experience.

[Editor-in-chief note: Welcoming our newest editor to the DRN team, Louise. She reached out to me and with this level of writing, she fits right in with the team.]

This review has been updated and republished on 23 October 2025.

 

At a Glance: Popsa Hardcover Photo Book

Product: Popsa Hardcover Photo Book (Gloss Finish, Boxed Delivery)
Platforms: iOS, Android, Web (tested primarily on Android)
Rating: 4.8 ? from 35,000+ reviews
Time Taken: Just under 30 minutes to create a 20-page book with 48 photos

Pricing:

  • Medium (20 x 15 cm): $58 AUD
  • Large: $72 AUD
  • XL (35 x 26 cm): $110 AUD
  • 20% discount for first-time orders

What’s Promised:

  • AI-driven layout suggestions
  • Smart albums with automatic grouping
  • Luxe matte or gloss finishes
  • Hardcover and softcover options
  • Works offline for most features
  • Built-in delivery tracking

Verdict: The Popsa Android app takes what was a frustrating process using previous photobook platforms and makes it fast, simple, and even fun. For anyone who just wants to get photos off their phone and into a beautiful book without fuss, this is the way to go.

 

Getting Started with the Popsa App

At first, I was a bit nervous about creating a whole photo book on a smaller mobile screen. I imagined endless pinching, zooming, and fiddling. But as soon as I logged in, those worries disappeared like the first sip of a cold beer on a hot day — refreshing and reassuring.

The app prompted me to turn on delivery notifications and discounts right away. Selecting photos was effortless, pulling directly from my phone’s gallery instead of having to manually upload each image as I had expected I may have to do.  Most of the app even works offline, so you can build your book while traveling or when your internet is patchy (like mine was at the time of testing). These small touches made the whole process feel streamlined and modern, and it quickly became clear this wasn’t going to be the fiddly mess I’d feared.

 

Guided and Intuitive Design

One of the biggest improvements from my past photo book attempts was the accessible help and guidance.

While using the app, help popped up naturally when I needed it:

  • Video prompts highlighted exactly where to tap to change the cover or adjust layouts.
  • Helpful tips appeared every few pages, showing me how to move, resize, or replace photos.
  • Everything happened right on the screen I was working on — no jumping between menus or hunting for hidden tools.

It wasn’t a brand-new set of features, just a smarter, clearer experience that helped me move through the process without second-guessing myself. At one point, I accidentally exited the app completely. My heart sank, convinced I’d have to start over. To my relief, everything was still there waiting for me, perfectly saved and ready to pick up where I left off, like a plate of perfectly cooked wings kept warm just for me.

 

Editing and Customisation

Editing on the Android app was fast and frustration-free. Just tap a photo to rotate, replace, fit, or fill instantly. Borders, backgrounds, and themes were easy to adjust. I chose a dynamic theme, so I didn’t have to tweak each page individually. I’m all about instant results, not hanging around fine tuning every detail. For people who love to tinker, there’s plenty of room to go deep into layouts, colours, and page designs.

I’m impatient and not really into the creative process. I want something that looks good without hours of effort. For me, the hardest part was simply choosing which photos to include, which is exactly how it should be. But if you love spending time perfecting every detail, Popsa gives you all the tools to do that, too.

 

AI Captions: A Smart Starting Point

Popsa’s AI captions are a clever addition. You can choose a tone from options such as friendly, funny, descriptive, or poetic, and the app will automatically generate captions for each photo.
While they were functional, the captions often felt impersonal. For example, a photo of my dogs in the pool was labelled: “Two playful dogs swimming in a turquoise pool on a sunny day.”

Technically correct but lacking the warmth and personality you’d expect in a photo book that captures memories.

The good news? Editing captions is quick and easy on the same screen, making them a handy starting point rather than a final solution.

 

Features That Shine on Mobile

Popsa’s core features are available on both the web and mobile platforms and boast:

  • Photo Selection – Instant from phone gallery
  • Guidance – Clear, well-timed video prompts
  • Smart Albums – Groups related photos automatically
  • 3D Preview Mode – Interactive and fun to use
  • Event Reminders – Visible prompts for birthdays, milestones
  • Sharing – Simple digital sharing with others
  • Delivery Tracking – Built directly into the app, seamless

 

A quick shout out for the 3D Preview Mode which sets Popsa apart from other photo book products I have tried. By viewing the book from different angles, and adjusting colour and sizing, the impressive feature allowed me to feel confident that the end product would deliver as promised.

 

Speed and Simplicity

Using the app on my Android phone took less than 30 minutes, and most of that time was spent deciding which photos to include. For someone like me, who values efficiency over endless tweaking, this was a total game changer. It felt like ordering a cold pint: straightforward, satisfying, and exactly what I wanted.

 

Checkout and Shipping

Checkout was smooth and no more complex than buying anything else online:

  • Standard delivery was quoted at 7–9 days, which felt fair for a custom product.
  • Tracking was built right into the app, with updates sent automatically. No separate downloads or hunting for email links.

The entire end-to-end process felt seamless and professional.

 

The Popsa Photo Book: Quality and Delivery

I ordered:

  • Hardcover book
  • Gloss pages
  • Gift box packaging
  • 48 photos across 20 pages

When it arrived, I was genuinely impressed. The hardcover felt solid and premium, while the thick, glossy pages showcased each photo beautifully. Even older, lower-resolution images printed better than expected. The gift box added a lovely touch — like serving up a special dish instead of a quick takeaway. It felt ready to present to someone or proudly display on a coffee table.

 

Final Verdict: A Game Changer for Photobooks

Prior attempts at creating lasting hard covered memories left me ready to swear off photo books for good however the Popsa Android app completely turned things around, delivering a fast, fun, and fuss-free experience.

I started this process wary, half-expecting it to be as fiddly as my past attempts, but instead it was as satisfying as a perfectly cooked plate of wings shared with friends: easy, enjoyable, and just right.

Whether you’re like me — impatient and short on time — or someone who loves to tinker and perfect every page, Popsa App for Android and iOS gives you the flexibility to create your ideal book whenever and wherever you are.

And the finished product? A beautiful, tangible keepsake that I’m proud to show off and gift to others. The experience was so positive that I no longer have that old fear of starting a photo book; in fact, I’m already planning my next one.

Popsa photo books can be ordered via their website or directly through the iOS and Android apps.

Thanks to Popsa for providing access to review the service.