Lux Optics, the developer behind the popular iPhone photo app Halide, has announced its plans for the next major update, Halide Mark III. In a blog post, cofounder Ben Sandofsky revealed that the upcoming version 3.0 will include several exciting features, including color grades, HDR photos, and a redesigned interface.

One of the most notable features coming to Halide Mark III is color grades, which will allow users to quickly load an aesthetic look or color palette based on Lux's own creations, film stocks, and imported recipes cooked by other users. This feature is reminiscent of Fujifilm's film emulations and is similar to what is already available in Lux's Kino video app.

In addition to color grades, Halide Mark III will also include support for HDR photos, taking advantage of iOS 18's Adaptive HDR feature, which makes it easier to view HDR images on more platforms. This feature will likely be a welcome addition for photographers who want to capture and edit high-quality images on their iPhones.

The redesigned interface is also expected to be a major part of Halide Mark III. While details are scarce, Sandofsky mentioned in the blog post that "form follows function," and that if the Instant Grade feature goes smoothly, they will make grade-picking central to the UI, similar to Kino.

In a move reminiscent of indie game developers on Steam, Lux is opening up the development process via a Discord server, where users can provide feedback once they start trying Halide Mark III. This move is likely to foster a sense of community and allow users to have a direct impact on the development of the app.

Subscribers will get early access to Halide Mark III, and according to the @halideapp account on Threads, Mark III will be included for Mark II users, and an upgrade for v1 users. However, no pricing information or release date beyond "sometime in 2025" has been announced.

This move by Lux Optics is significant, as it shows the company's commitment to continually improving and expanding its popular photo app. With the addition of color grades, HDR photos, and a redesigned interface, Halide Mark III is shaping up to be a major update that will likely please both existing users and attract new ones.

The photography industry is highly competitive, and Lux Optics' willingness to engage with its users and provide early access to new features will likely give it an edge over its competitors. As the iPhone continues to be a popular platform for photography, it will be interesting to see how Halide Mark III is received by users and how it impacts the overall photography app landscape.