iPhone 18 Pro could level up its camera game with Halide-inspired features

Apple may be preparing a major upgrade for the iPhone’s camera, and this time, it’s not just about hardware. According to The Information, Apple explored acquiring Lux Optics, the studio behind the popular Halide camera app, as part of its efforts to improve the iPhone 18 Pro’s camera experience.

The talks reportedly took place in 2025 but didn’t result in a deal. Still, the intent is clear: Apple wants its default Camera app to catch up with pro-level tools, especially as its hardware continues to improve.

Why is Apple suddenly focusing on camera software?

Let’s be real, hardware alone isn’t enough anymore. Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro is expected to push closer to professional-grade camera hardware, but that also raises the bar for software. Right now, many advanced users rely on third-party apps like Halide to unlock manual controls, RAW

...

Keep reading this article on Digital Trends.