Spectre Long-Exposure iPhone Camera App Now Free, Ushering in Spectre Pro

Spectre, the long-exposure AI-powered iPhone camera app made by the developers of the popular Halide photography app, is now free.

spectre pro
For those unfamiliar with Spectre, the app uses a computational shutter to take hundreds of photos over the course of a few seconds to create an up to 3-second long exposure.

Because it's taking hundreds of images instead of one continuous shot, users can hold their phone while taking long exposure images with Spectre, no tripod necessary.

Previously $1.99, the app's switch to freeware marks the introduction of a new paid-for Pro version, which includes additional 15- and 30-second exposure modes, plus a new Pro icon.


Spectre Pro is a free upgrade to existing users, while new users can unlock the Pro version for a $4.99 one-time purchase. The app works on the iPhone 6S and newer and requires iOS 15 and later, and is available to download from the App Store.

Tag: Halide

Popular Stories

iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
Netflix Smaller 4

Netflix Kills Casting From Its Mobile App to Most Modern TVs

Monday December 1, 2025 4:36 am PST by
Netflix has quietly removed the ability to cast content from its mobile apps to most modern TVs and streaming devices, including newer Chromecast models and the Google TV Streamer. The change was first spotted by users on Reddit and confirmed in an updated Netflix support page (via Android Authority), which now states that the streaming service no longer supports casting from mobile devices...
Cyber Week Deals 2025

Best Cyber Week Apple Deals Include Big Discounts on AirPods, Apple Watch, and More

Sunday November 30, 2025 7:33 am PST by
Cyber Week is here, and you can find popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more at all-time low prices. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Specifically,...
Sad Siri Feature

Apple AI Chief John Giannandrea Retiring After Siri Delays

Monday December 1, 2025 2:16 pm PST by
Apple AI chief John Giannandrea is stepping down from his position and retiring in spring 2026, Apple announced today. Giannandrea will serve as an advisor between now and 2026, with former Microsoft AI researcher Amar Subramanya set to take over as vice president of AI. Subramanya will report to Apple engineering chief Craig Federighi, and will lead Apple Foundation Models, ML research, and ...
studio display purple february

M5 iPad Pro Could Hint at New Studio Display Feature

Sunday November 30, 2025 10:30 am PST by
The updated specs of the M5 iPad Pro may point toward a major new feature for Apple's next-generation Studio Display expected in early 2026. Apple's latest iPad Pro debuted last month and contains one display-related change that stands out: it can now drive external monitors at up to 120Hz with Adaptive Sync. The feature should deliver lower latency, smoother motion, and fewer visual...
New Intel Logo

Apple and Intel Rumored to Partner on Mac Chips Again in a New Way

Friday November 28, 2025 7:33 am PST by
While all Macs are now powered by Apple's custom-designed chips, a new rumor claims that Apple may rekindle its partnership with Intel, albeit in a new and limited way. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said Intel is expected to begin shipping Apple's lowest-end M-series chip as early as mid-2027. Kuo said Apple plans to utilize Intel's 18A process, which is the "earliest...
maxresdefault

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Monday December 1, 2025 3:00 am PST by
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that ...
iphone black friday gold

The Best Black Friday iPhone Deals Still Available

Friday November 28, 2025 6:24 am PST by
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2025 sales have kicked off at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models during the holiday shopping season. Note: MacRumors is...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: Apple's Big Plans for iPad Mini 8

Friday November 28, 2025 8:39 am PST by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through the latest rumors about Apple's upcoming iPad mini 8. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos The next-generation version of the iPad mini is expected to feature an OLED display, as part of Apple's plan to expand the display technology across many more of its devices. Apple's first OLED device was the Apple...

Top Rated Comments

Lee_Bo Avatar
31 months ago
It may be decent and the non-subscription is awesome, however no serious person uses a phone to create art. If you want art, go get a real camera, a tripod, and study how to frame the subjects of your photo shoot.


Taken with iPhone 11 Pro Max (with tripod and bluetooth shutter), made the cover of a local trade magazine.

But please, let’s see some of your “serious person” projects.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gank41 Avatar
31 months ago

It may be decent and the non-subscription is awesome, however no serious person uses a phone to create art. If you want art, go get a real camera, a tripod, and study how to frame the subjects of your photo shoot.
Only a real artist removes the shackles of limitation you seem to have put on yourself, only allowing one device for a medium..

I remember a very long time ago, someone in a teaching position told me to never listen to people that put barriers on the creation of art. It's all based on opinion, anyway.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Gears Avatar
31 months ago

It may be decent and the non-subscription is awesome, however no serious person uses a phone to create art. If you want art, go get a real camera, a tripod, and study how to frame the subjects of your photo shoot.
The camera is only as good as the one you have on you! A lot of people wont carry a main camera around with them all the time. Myself when out and about have a 4 year old and dog to contend with so the last thing i want to be carrying is a camera on top of everything else.
End of the day a picture from a phone camera is better than no photo at all
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Unggoy Murderer Avatar
31 months ago

It may be decent and the non-subscription is awesome, however no serious person uses a phone to create art. If you want art, go get a real camera, a tripod, and study how to frame the subjects of your photo shoot.
I'm a self-proclaimed "pretty serious" photographer, I have a Canon 7D MK II and a great lens for it.

The best tool to create art is whatever you have, and whatever you make of it. I have taken some pictures on my iPhone that look as good as or potentially better than what I could capture on my Canon. My Canon, lens and battery grip also collectively weigh 20x as much as my iPhone, doesn't fit in my pocket, and doesn't go everywhere with me.

Equipment / brand snobbery in photography is boring and vapid; don't be one of those people.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
contacos Avatar
31 months ago
No subscription?!? Love them already
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
VampyricGentleman Avatar
31 months ago

I'm a self-proclaimed "pretty serious" photographer, I have a Canon 7D MK II and a great lens for it.

The best tool to create art is whatever you have, and whatever you make of it. I have taken some pictures on my iPhone that look as good as or potentially better than what I could capture on my Canon. My Canon, lens and battery grip also collectively weigh 20x as much as my iPhone, doesn't fit in my pocket, and doesn't go everywhere with me.

Equipment / brand snobbery in photography is boring and vapid; don't be one of those people.
This is so true. A long time ago when I was not in as good a financial situation as I am now I owned a Sony Ericsson Xperia X8. I had an old Sony R1 as my main camera. Anyway a friend invited me to a Facebook online camera club which was full of people bragging about how they “only” spent £3000 on a lens. Anyway, they hosted a competition for a winter shot. So I entered something from the X8 (which if memory served cost £85) and won the competition (which was judged on the number of likes) by a country mile. You can imagine the equipment snobs horror when I told them what I used when they were using equipment that could have easily been 30x more expensive and their results were no where near as good.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)