iPhone 18 Pro Camera May Come with Pro Software, Apple Considered Buying Halide

Apple Eyed Purchase of Halide iOS App to Make iPhone Camera Better

According to court documents seen by The Information, Apple had wished to acquire Lux to improve its built-in Camera app, saying this was the 'top priority for the company right now'.

Halide co-founder is suing former partner Sebastiaan de With for taking source code to Apple

Halide running on an iPhone. | Photo: Allison Johnson / The Verge Lux Optics co-founder Sebastiaan de With made headlines when he joined Apple in late January. The company was behind Halide, one of the most popular photography apps for the iPhone, which gained a cult following for its robust pro-level controls. Apple was apparently a big enough fan that it tried to acquire the developer last summer. Those talks never bore fruit, and eventually …

Apple considered buying Halide to upgrade its native Camera app

A lawsuit between Lux Optics' co-founders revealed that Apple was close to buying Halide and its related apps.

Apple Wanted to Buy Halide to Boost iPhone 18 Pro's Camera App—Now There's a Lawsuit

Apple's plans to enhance the iPhone 18 Pro's Camera app led it to consider acquiring Halide, but the talks ultimately collapsed and were followed by a fierce legal dispute between the startup's co-founders, according to The Information reports. In the summer of 2025, Apple reportedly held discussions to acquire Lux Optics, the developer behind the popular iPhone camera apps Halide, Kino, and Spectre.

iPhone 18 Pro camera may come with pro software, Apple considered buying Halide

Two months ago, Halide cofounder and designer Sebastiaan de With made a surprise announcement that he was joining Apple’s design...