Reports on September 30, 2026, say Lux Optics’ Halide 3.2 adds variable-aperture controls for the iPhone 18 Pro’s main camera, with selectable f-numbers from f/1.48 to f/4.0. The update also brings the Dawn and Quicksilver photographic looks. The phone already has variable-aperture hardware; this is an app update that gives Halide users more ways to control it.
What aperture selection Halide reports
An f-number describes the lens opening: a smaller number means a wider aperture, while a larger one means a narrower opening. Halide’s reported range lets users choose any f-stop from f/1.48 through f/4.0 on the iPhone 18 Pro main camera.
In Aperture Priority, users choose a target f-number and Halide adjusts shutter speed and ISO. In fully manual mode, users can control ISO directly. The phone’s underlying aperture hardware is part of the camera feature explained in NeoTeo’s earlier iPhone 18 Pro coverage.
How the app controls compare
Apple’s Camera app is reported to offer four aperture presets. Blackmagic Camera and Moment Pro Camera II each offer ten presets in 1/3-stop increments. Halide is reported to offer f-stop selection throughout its f/1.48-to-f/4.0 range, rather than the preset counts reported for those other apps.
Dawn and Quicksilver bring two new looks
Dawn gives images warmer midtones and highlights with rich shadows. Quicksilver pairs higher contrast with muted color, drawing inspiration from silver-retention film processing. Both looks are reported to be available on all iPhones.
What aperture changes in real photographs
A separate hands-on hardware comparison published on September 19, 2026, predates the Halide update. It compares iPhone 18 Pro photos at several aperture settings and discusses sharpness, depth of field, diffraction, and video exposure; it does not test Halide. The reviewer found the tested settings close in practical image quality and personally preferred f/2.8, while noting that the differences were difficult to spot in real photographs.
