Halide Mark III has been updated to version 3.2 with dedicated support for the iPhone 18 Pro’s variable aperture camera. The update lets photographers choose any f-stop across the lens’s full range, rather than limiting them to the four aperture settings available in Apple’s Camera app.

The release is aimed at users who want more direct control over exposure and depth of field. It also adds two film simulations and a 16:9 shooting option, giving iPhone 18 Pro owners more control over both the look and framing of their images.

Full aperture control on iPhone 18 Pro

Apple’s built-in Camera app allows iPhone 18 Pro users to select from four aperture positions, spanning ƒ/1.48 to ƒ/4.0. The variable aperture system is designed to provide around 50 percent better low-light performance while offering optical control over depth of field.

Halide 3.2 removes the four-stop selection limit. Users can choose any ƒ-stop within the camera’s complete range, allowing for more precise adjustments between the presets offered by Apple’s app.

Halide provides two ways to use the control. In Aperture Priority mode, the photographer selects the ƒ-stop while the app automatically manages shutter speed and ISO to produce a properly exposed image. This is intended for users who want to prioritise depth of field without adjusting every exposure setting themselves.

Manual mode adds ISO control

The app’s Manual mode gives users control over aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. That makes it possible to set all three parts of the exposure directly, including ISO adjustments that Apple’s stock Camera app does not provide as a manual control.

Halide said it is considering adding f-stop presets in a future update, depending on user feedback. For now, photographers can select settings across the full available aperture range rather than relying on a fixed set of options.

New film simulations and 16:9 shooting

Version 3.2 also introduces two photographic looks called Dawn and Quicksilver. Halide describes Dawn as a look with warm mid-tones and highlights, gentle rich shadows, and subtle cool complementary colors.

Quicksilver uses high contrast and muted color to emulate a silver-retention alternative process. The developers position it between conventional color photography and stark black-and-white imagery.

A new 16:9 aspect ratio mode rounds out the update. It gives users a wider frame for photographs intended for displays or compositions that suit a cinematic shape.

Halide 3.2 pricing and availability

Halide 3.2 is available through the App Store. The app costs $69.99 as a one-time purchase or $19.99 for an annual subscription.

The update makes Halide a more flexible option for iPhone 18 Pro owners who want to explore the phone’s variable aperture beyond the controls built into Apple’s Camera app.