Halide to Receive Major Update with New Features in 2025
Halide 3.0 will introduce color grading, HDR, and a redesigned interface, enhancing the app’s professional photography capabilities.
Halide, a popular iPhone camera app developed by Lux, is set to receive a transformative update in 2025 with the launch of Halide 3.0, also known as “Mark III.” This update will bring three major features aimed at enhancing the app’s capabilities and user experience.
The most anticipated addition is one-tap color grading. This feature builds on Halide’s proprietary Process Zero image processing system introduced in 2024. It allows users to instantly apply professional-grade film looks to their photos, similar to features found in Lux’s Kino app. Beyond built-in presets, the feature will enable users to import custom looks created by others, offering photographers greater creative freedom.
Halide is also addressing long-standing concerns about HDR implementation. While iPhones have supported HDR through Apple’s algorithms, Halide has avoided the feature due to technical and aesthetic issues. With the advancements in iOS 18, including Adaptive HDR for legacy formats like JPEG, Halide plans to introduce a refined HDR system. Lux emphasizes that its approach will avoid the overly bright and unnatural effects often associated with poorly executed HDR.
In addition to these technical upgrades, Halide 3.0 will feature a complete redesign of its user interface. After five years since Halide Mark II’s debut, Lux has decided to revamp the visual and functional aspects of the app. The new interface will integrate tightly with upcoming features, making tools like color grading central to the app’s operation.
To engage the community, Lux has launched an official Discord server where subscribers can access early builds of Halide 3.0, share feedback, and discuss ideas. The server will also host a year-long photography challenge with weekly prompts and resources to inspire creativity.
With these updates, Halide aims to solidify its position as a leading choice for professional and enthusiast photographers using iPhones. The combination of advanced tools and a reimagined user interface is expected to set a new benchmark for mobile photography applications.