Halide Mark III iPhone App Offers New Photo Looks

Halide Mark III, the latest iteration of the renowned iPhone camera application, has officially launched, promising users an enhanced mobile photography experience. Developed by Lux, the update notably steers clear of AI-driven enhancements, instead introducing a novel feature called "Looks." This new system builds upon the foundation laid by "Process Zero," which debuted in 2024 with the aim of achieving more natural and realistic image rendering on iPhones.

"In 2024, we launched Process Zero, our own approach to rendering photos that removes all the AI and computational photography from your iPhone," explained Lux. "After its incredibly positive reception, we invested all of efforts into the next generation of Halide’s photo processing, built on top of Process Zero. We wanted to build a camera that produces the most beautiful photos possible from an iPhone." To realize this vision, Lux collaborated with Hollywood colorist Cullen Kelly to develop what is described as "the best photo pipeline of any iPhone app." The Halide Mark III and its "Looks" feature are designed to fully leverage the extensive color gamut and wide dynamic range of iPhone camera sensors, while avoiding an overly processed or artificial appearance.

The "Looks" feature offers "physically accurate alternative processes" that integrate with the app's existing film simulation engine and optional HDR capabilities. Halide Mark III launches with five distinct Looks: Valencia, optimized for landscapes and cityscapes but also effective for portraits, offering "thick contrast, deep saturation, and solid color separation." Rembrandt, specifically designed for portraits, accentuates bone structure and lighting with "abundant color in the low end converges to white as exposure increases, for perfect uniformity in skin-tones to emphasize contour of the face." Nova provides a rich color palette and tight contrast for landscapes and cityscapes, while Zephyr delivers subtle, film-like contrast for a refined look suitable for nearly any photographic scenario. Completing the initial set is Chroma Noir, a black-and-white Look inspired by panchromatic film.

Revamped Photo Editing and Interface

Accompanying the new "Looks" is an entirely redesigned Photo Lab. This section provides users who shoot in RAW on their iPhone with a Quick Edit area. Here, photographers can experiment with different Looks, adjust exposure, toggle HDR, and apply film simulations. Further refinements are available through the full Photo Lab, offering tools for cropping, color balance, and more.

The camera interface itself has also undergone a significant redesign, with Lux emphasizing the placement of essential tools for intuitive access. "Composition is the bedrock of photography, so we put composition tools front and center," Lux stated. The app now supports aspect ratios mirroring popular film cameras, including 35mm (3:2), medium format (1:1), and panoramic (65:24), alongside a dynamic aspect ratio tailored for Instagram. The refresh also incorporates Apple’s Liquid Glass aesthetic introduced in iOS 26. For users who prefer the previous design, the Halide Mark II interface remains accessible.

During the development of Halide Mark III's "Looks," the Lux team found that their iPhone-captured images often surpassed those from expensive professional cameras. This realization prompted an expansion of the app's capabilities beyond just iPhone photography. The Photo Lab and "Looks" can now be applied to RAW files captured by dedicated cameras from manufacturers such as Canon, Sony, Nikon, Leica, Fujifilm, and Hasselblad. While this RAW file support is currently in beta, it shows considerable promise for unifying professional editing workflows.

Halide Mark III is available on the Apple App Store. It is a free upgrade for existing purchasers of Halide Mark II and current subscribers. New customers can opt for a lifetime license priced at $59.99 or an annual subscription for $19.99. Both purchasing options include all future "Looks" developed by Lux.