Halide Adds Fold‑Aware Shooting Modes in First iPhone Duo Update

Photography app Halide has rolled out its inaugural update for the iPhone Duo, introducing three distinct shooting modes that automatically adjust based on the device's current fold configuration. The new functionality aims to streamline the workflow for users who switch between the phone's compact and expanded forms, allowing the camera to adapt without manual re‑setting.

The iPhone Duo, Apple’s first foldable handset, offers a flexible form factor that can be used in a closed, half‑open, or fully opened state. Halide’s update detects each position and selects a preset mode—standard, portrait, or landscape—optimising exposure, focus and aspect ratio to suit the orientation. By embedding this logic directly into the app, Halide hopes to reduce the need for users to toggle settings manually.

Halide, known for its professional‑grade manual controls and RAW capture capabilities, first launched on iOS in 2017 and has built a reputation among enthusiasts for pushing the limits of smartphone photography. The company has been quick to adopt new hardware features, and the iPhone Duo update marks its first foray into software that leverages a device’s physical adaptability.

Industry analysts note that foldable phones have struggled to gain traction partly because software ecosystems have lagged behind hardware innovations. By providing context‑aware shooting modes, Halide is addressing a gap that could make the Duo more appealing to photographers who value speed and precision. Competitors such as Google and Samsung have also introduced camera tweaks for their foldables, but few have offered automatic mode switching tied to the hinge position.

Early adopters who have tested the update report smoother transitions when moving the Duo from a pocket‑size device to a tablet‑like screen. The app automatically shifts to a wider field of view and adjusts depth‑of‑field calculations when the screen is fully opened, which can be especially useful for landscape shots or group portraits. When the phone is folded partially, Halide defaults to a portrait‑oriented mode that prioritises subject isolation.

Halide’s development team says the rollout is just the first step. Future updates are expected to refine the detection algorithm, add user‑customisable mode assignments, and potentially integrate with third‑party lenses or accessories. As foldable devices become more common, software that intelligently responds to hardware changes may become a standard expectation, and Halide appears poised to lead that evolution.