Halide 3.2 Brings Full Aperture Control to iPhone 18 Pro

Halide, the popular third-party camera app for iPhone, has released version 3.2 with full manual control over the iPhone 18 Pro’s variable aperture system, giving mobile photographers finer command over light and focus than Apple’s own Camera app.

Aperture is the size of the opening inside a camera lens. A wider opening, written as a lower f-number, lets in more light and softens the background into blur. A narrower opening keeps more of the scene in focus. On most phones this is handled in software, but the iPhone 18 Pro has a physical iris that actually changes size, as a recent teardown revealed.

Apple’s Camera app limits shooters to four aperture presets. Halide 3.2 removes that restriction, letting iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max users dial in any f-number from ƒ/1.48 all the way down to ƒ/4.0.

The update offers two ways to shoot. Aperture Priority, the friendlier of the two, asks for a target f-number and then handles shutter speed and ISO automatically. Full manual mode hands over every dial, including ISO control, which Apple oddly leaves out of its own Camera app.

Halide has long been the camera of choice for iPhone photographers who want real controls, from the studio that also made the Kino video app. Earlier this year, Apple hired Halide co-founder Sebastiaan de With for its camera team, and Apple’s own Final Cut Camera app recently added variable aperture support for the iPhone 18 Pro as well.

Today’s update is not only for the newest Pro models. Halide 3.2 also adds two new film-inspired looks for everyone. Dawn adds filmic warmth to mid-tones and highlights with gentle shadows and a hint of cool colour, while Quicksilver pushes high contrast and muted colour in a look inspired by the silver-retention process. All of Halide’s film simulations work on every supported iPhone.

The update goes further than Apple’s Camera app, which lacks ISO control. Halide 3.2 is available now as an update on the App Store. The app is free to download, with Pro Camera, Editor and Lessons available as in-app purchases starting at $24.99 CAD per year, or a $99.99 CAD one-time purchase.

Lux says a busy fall lies ahead, with more iPhone 18 Pro deep dives on the way, including the long story behind why Apple’s Camera app skips ISO control.