Apple weighed buying Halide to upgrade Camera app

Apple nearly bought Halide to supercharge its native Camera app. The talks with Lux Optics, the developer behind Halide, occurred in the summer of 2025 and could have given Apple a proven toolkit to elevate iPhone photography, The Information reports via Engadget. The deal, however, stalled and ultimately fell through by September 2025, leaving Apple to chase improvements through other means.

The saga isn’t just a tale of a failed acquisition; it signals how seriously Apple views pro-level camera controls as a differentiator in a crowded smartphone market. Halide is known for its advanced manual controls and RAW workflows, attributes that could dovetail with Apple’s hardware ambitions—especially amid rumors that the company intends to bring variable aperture to the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models. If the talks had progressed, Apple might have folded Halide’s software DNA into iOS, accelerating feature rollouts without waiting for a longer, hardware-first cycle.

The co-founders’ dispute adds a human twist to the deal’s demise. Ben Sandofsky and Sebastiaan de With, who built Lux Optics around Halide and other camera apps, reportedly clashed over fund management, and Sandofsky began investigating de With for alleged financial improprieties. De With was fired and later joined Apple’s design team, a move that underscores how close the line can be between external partners and internal talent in Apple’s carefully curated ecosystem. The outcome for users is a mixed bag: if Halide-like tech had been native, iPhone photography might have seen faster adoption of high-end controls; if not, Apple could still pursue those capabilities through internal development or new hires.

From a consumer-technology perspective, the episode highlights two enduring dynamics. First, Apple’s hardware ambitions and software execution remain tightly coupled. A direct software acquisition could have reduced the lag between hardware capabilities (like potential variable aperture) and user-facing features. Second, the episode spotlights the value—and risk—of strategic partnerships in the smartphone era. Halide’s acclaim rests on a focused, fast-paced app that thrives on user customization; translating that into a built-in experience requires careful product cadence to avoid clutter or feature bloat in iOS.

Industry observers should also monitor the talent treadmill this incident reveals. De With’s transition to Apple’s design team mirrors a broader pattern: top external talent can become internal accelerants for Apple’s design language and camera UI philosophy, while such moves can reframe how third-party apps stay relevant in a world where Apple controls the core platform. If Apple abandons the takeover route, it may still borrow Halide-like sensibilities through internal teams and selective partnerships, as the company eyes new camera features and tighter hardware-software integration.

What to watch next: confirm whether Apple will pivot to in-house development for enhanced camera controls or revive a more selective third-party collaboration strategy. Look for signs from the iPhone 18 Pro rumors—especially any official confirmation on variable aperture—and any public moves by Lux Optics or related studios to re-enter the conversation through licensing or new partnerships. For now, the deal is off, but the implications linger: Apple wants deeper control over photography experiences, and the race to balance powerful tools with a simple, stable user experience continues.

Sources

Apple considered buying Halide to upgrade its native Camera app