Apple entered negotiations last summer to buy Lux Optics, the studio behind popular camera apps Halide, Spectre, Kino, and Orion, according to an investigation by The Information. The talks fell apart in September after Lux Optics’ founders decided to delay the sale, hoping upcoming updates would increase the company’s valuation.
Apple saw the potential acquisition as a way to boost its native Camera app with Lux Optics’ advanced software features. This move comes amid rumors that the next iPhone 18 Pro will debut a variable aperture-hardware that would demand more flexible exposure and depth-of-field controls than Apple’s stock Camera app currently offers.
Apple’s interest in advanced camera software features
The breakup of the deal sparked internal drama at Lux Optics. Ben Sandofsky, co-founder of the studio, filed a lawsuit accusing partner Sebastian de Wit of misusing company funds. De Wit was soon dismissed but then hired by Apple as a designer. Despite these upheavals, Halide remains an independent app available on the App Store, continuing to offer professional-grade photography tools that Apple’s own app doesn’t provide.
Future of Apple’s Camera app with Lux Optics technology
While the acquisition didn’t materialize, industry experts point to Apple’s interest in sophisticated camera features as a sign that its built-in app will receive upgrades in future iOS releases-particularly if the variable aperture rumors prove true. For now, though, iPhone users wanting the most advanced photography controls will still need to rely on third-party apps like Halide.