Pros criticize iPhone 18 Pro Camera app over aperture flares and missing controls

Apple reworked the iPhone 18 Pro Camera app with aperture, shutter speed and white balance controls, but professionals report sun-star flares at apertures above f/1.48, shutter speeds capped near one second, and no manual ISO or Kelvin white balance. Third-party app Halide 3.2 fills the gap with variable aperture from f/1.48 to f/4.0, Aperture Priority and full manual controls.

• Apertures above f/1.48 produce sun-star flares on bright reflections
• Shutter speed in the stock app is limited to roughly one second
• White balance uses presets instead of precise Kelvin values
• Halide 3.2 adds f/1.48–f/4.0 aperture, Aperture Priority and manual ISO