Halide
by Lux Optics Incorporated · Photo & Video · Camera
Professional camera app for iPhone with manual controls and RAW capture.
Quick Answer: Halide has a verified Real Score of 4.5/5 based on 7,000 verified reviews, compared to its App Store rating of 4.8/5. Highly recommended by verified users.
Real Score vs App Store Rating
App Store Rating
Includes unverified reviews
Verified Real Score
Based on 7,000 verified reviews
Gap Alert: Halide's App Store rating is 0.3 points higher than its verified Real Score. This suggests that some store reviews may be inflated by fake or incentivized ratings.
Pros & Cons
What Users Love
- Beautiful manual controls
- ProRAW support
- Focus peaking
- Depth capture
Common Complaints
- Expensive one-time purchase
- iOS only
- Learning curve
- Niche audience
Verified Reviews (20)
The best camera app on iPhone
Halide turns your iPhone into a proper camera with manual focus, exposure, ISO, shutter speed, and white balance. The gesture-based controls are intuitive. ProRAW capture gives maximum editing flexibility.
Focus peaking is essential
The focus peaking overlay (colored highlights on in-focus areas) makes manual focus precise and fast. For macro photography and precise focus control, this feature alone justifies the purchase.
Worth the investment for photographers
$37 one-time purchase (or subscription) for a professional camera tool. If you're serious about iPhone photography, the RAW files and manual controls produce noticeably better results.
Process Zero is philosophically refreshing
Halide's Process Zero mode captures photos with minimal computational processing. Raw, natural images that you edit yourself. In a world of AI-enhanced photos, analog authenticity is refreshing.
Depth map capture is creative
Capturing depth maps and LiDAR data alongside photos enables creative effects in post-processing. 3D photo effects, selective depth of field, and spatial photography are possible.
Gesture controls are genius
Swipe up/down for exposure, left/right for focus, tap for shutter. The gesture-based interface is faster than fiddling with on-screen controls. Photographing feels natural and immediate.
Macro mode surpasses Apple's camera
Halide's macro control with manual focus and focus peaking produces better macro shots than the default camera app. For close-up photography, the control difference is significant.
Waveform and histogram in viewfinder
Real-time histogram and waveform overlays while composing shots help nail exposure before pressing the shutter. Tools that professional photographers expect, now in your pocket.
Apple Watch remote shutter
Triggering the shutter from your Apple Watch is useful for group photos, long exposures, and tripod shots. No running to beat the timer. Small feature, genuine utility.
Night mode control is better
Halide gives you control over night mode duration that Apple's camera doesn't. Choosing exactly how long the night exposure lasts produces more intentional results.
The developers are photographers
You can tell Halide is made by photographers. Every design decision prioritizes the shooting experience. No unnecessary features, no bloat. Just a beautifully crafted camera tool.
Grid overlays for composition
Rule of thirds, golden spiral, golden ratio - compositional overlays help frame shots according to photographic principles. Learning composition becomes part of the shooting process.
ProRAW files are worth the storage
ProRAW files are 25-40MB each but the editing latitude is worth every megabyte. Recovery of highlights and shadows that JPEG can't match. Serious photographers should always shoot RAW.
Film simulation modes
Processing options that simulate different film stocks add creative options at capture time. Not as refined as post-processing in Lightroom but fun for quick creative shots.
Updates reflect community feedback
Lux Optics actively listens to their user community. Feature requests get implemented, bugs get fixed quickly, and the developers communicate openly. Rare in app development.
Level tool ensures straight horizons
The built-in level overlay and horizon straightening tool ensures your photos are perfectly level. Crooked horizons are a common amateur mistake that this tool prevents.
Subscription or one-time: you choose
Halide offers both subscription ($3/month) and one-time purchase ($37) options. Giving users the choice rather than forcing subscription is consumer-friendly. Bought it outright.
EXIF data viewer is informative
Viewing detailed EXIF data (lens used, focal length, ISO, shutter speed) for each photo helps you learn from your shots. Understanding what settings produced which results improves your photography.
Niche but essential for iPhone photographers
Halide is for people who take iPhone photography seriously. If you just point and shoot, the default camera is fine. If you want creative control and maximum quality, Halide is essential.
Proves iPhone can replace a camera
With Halide's manual controls and RAW capture, my iPhone has genuinely replaced my mirrorless camera for everyday photography. The convenience of a phone camera with the control of a real camera.
Showing 1-20 of 12,847 reviews
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Last updated: April 2026