Two lightboxes, same photos — feel the difference on your phone
Both panels use the same three images. The top one opens in Route A (the Fancybox tool already on the site). The bottom opens in Route B (PhotoSwipe, the gallery WooCommerce ships). Open this on a phone, then tap a photo in each and compare. Both use crisp 1600px images, so you are judging the interaction, not the resolution.
ROUTE A · Fancybox (bolt onto current setup)
Tap a photo, then swipe and pinch
The lightbox library already loaded on your site.
ROUTE B · PhotoSwipe (WooCommerce native)
Tap a photo, then swipe and pinch
The touch-first gallery WooCommerce uses for its standard product images.
What to feel for (this is the mobile difference)
- Swiping between photos: in Route B the next photo tracks your finger as you drag, then snaps; Route A slides to the next after you let go.
- Pinch to zoom: Route B zooms toward the point between your fingers with momentum and a rubber-band at the edges; Route A zooms more mechanically from the centre.
- Swipe down to close: Route B lets you drag the photo down and fades the background as you go; Route A closes on the button or a tap.
If Route B clearly feels better in your hand, that is the case for the bigger build. If they feel close, Route A gets you there for less. Judge it on the phone, not the description.