Apple Camera is the better fit if you want the iPhone 18 Pro’s built-in Focus Tracking and adjustable Photographic Styles; Halide Mark III makes more sense if you want manual ISO and finer aperture control. Halide’s version 3.2 adds adjustable-aperture support and Aperture Priority on iPhone 18 Pro, while the developer says its film simulations are available across devices.
At a glance
Macworld’s comparison reports the following differences between Apple Camera on iPhone 18 Pro and Halide Mark III.
| Control or workflow | Apple Camera on iPhone 18 Pro | Halide Mark III | What changes for you |
| Aperture | Four manual choices: f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8 and f/4.0. Automatic selection spans f/1.48 to f/4.0. | Manual selection across f/1.48 to f/4.0, with more than 250 micro-steps reported. Version 3.2 adds Aperture Priority on iPhone 18 Pro. | Halide offers finer manual selection; Apple Camera provides preset choices and automatic selection. |
| Exposure and white balance | ISO is automatic in Macworld’s described setup; five selectable white-balance options. | Manual ISO and shutter controls; four selectable white-balance options. | Halide gives you manual ISO control. |
| Focus | Focus Tracking and focus peaking. | Focus peaking; Halide’s listing also names Focus Loupe. | Apple’s app tracks a selected subject; both apps offer focus assistance. |
| Looks and RAW | 15 Photographic Styles 3 palettes, plus the standard palette; styles are adjustable and can be changed after capture. | Nine looks; Macworld says looks are baked into non-RAW output. Process Zero and adjustable grain are available for RAW. | Apple’s styles are adjustable after capture; Halide offers its own looks and RAW-oriented processing. |
| Framing and interface | Layout customization and pinned controls. | Golden-ratio framing and a finer grid; no layout customization. | The choice comes down to which controls and guides suit your composing habits. |
Aperture and exposure controls
Halide gives you more granular manual aperture selection. Macworld reports that Apple Camera offers four fixed manual settings, while Halide allows choices throughout the f/1.48 to f/4.0 range, with more than 250 micro-steps. Halide’s version 3.2 notes also say the update supports the iPhone 18 Pro’s adjustable aperture and adds Aperture Priority.
The more consequential exposure difference for many manual shooters is ISO. Macworld says Apple Camera adjusts ISO automatically in the setup it compared, while Halide offers a manual ISO slider. Both apps provide shutter controls, and the comparison reports five selectable white-balance options in Apple Camera and four in Halide.
Focus, photo looks and RAW files
Apple Camera’s Focus Tracking locks onto a selected subject, according to Macworld. Focus peaking is available in both apps, and Halide’s listing also identifies Focus Loupe.
The apps take different approaches to creative looks. Macworld reports that Apple Camera has 15 Photographic Styles 3 palettes in addition to the standard palette, and that those styles can be adjusted after capture. Halide offers nine looks. Macworld says those looks are baked into non-RAW output, while Process Zero and adjustable grain are available for RAW. Halide also imports RAW files in DNG, CR2, CR3, NEF, RAF, ARW and FFF formats.
Halide’s version 3.2 notes say its film simulations are available on all devices. The same notes tie adjustable-aperture support to iPhone 18 Pro. Halide requires iOS 18.0 or later on iPhone and iPadOS 18.0 or later on iPad.
US price and the practical choice
As of October 22, 2026, Halide’s US App Store listing displayed in-app purchase amounts of $9.99 and $19.99, alongside a $69.99 one-time purchase. Macworld’s October 21 comparison identifies the first two as monthly and annual memberships, respectively. Halide’s listing describes a seven-day trial with an annual membership and says the one-time purchase requires no subscription.
Choose Apple Camera if you want subject tracking and adjustable native styles without adding a separate camera app to your workflow. Choose Halide if manual ISO, finer aperture selection on iPhone 18 Pro, or its RAW and processing options are the controls you expect to use. The US one-time purchase is $69.99; the reported membership options are $9.99 monthly or $19.99 annually.
