Adobe Premiere Launches 'First-of-its-Kind' Color Grading System in Beta

Adobe Premiere has introduced a new color grading system called Color Mode, described as a 'first-of-its-kind' experience designed specifically for video editors. Unveiled ahead of NAB 2026, the feature is currently available in the beta version of Adobe Premiere and aims to provide an integrated color editing workflow without requiring app switching. Adobe claims Color Mode offers tools that align with editors' thinking, enabling confident color adjustments directly within the editing interface. The system includes a new user interface with a large preview window and adjustable Style Presets, allowing editors to modify saturation, hue, and luminance shifts to create custom color grades. For advanced control, users can tweak exposure, contrast, temperature, balance, and saturation, with the ability to fine-tune specific colors across exposure ranges, such as making shadows bluer or highlights more orange. YouTube creator Matt Johnson, who tested Color Mode early, called it 'the largest update [Premiere] has ever received' and praised it as a game-changer for professional color grading. Adobe's move is seen as a response to competing applications like DaVinci Resolve, which has gained popularity for its color editing solutions. Color Mode is now accessible to Premiere and Creative Cloud Pro subscribers, with its impact on user retention and attraction yet to be determined.