Leica Lux 2.0 Adds Steve McCurry Artist Look and iPhone 18
Leica Camera AG launches its most comprehensive iPhone app update, featuring a new Artist Look with Steve McCurry, a revamped interface, and hardware
Leica Camera AG has launched Leica Lux 2.0, the most comprehensive update to its iPhone photography app. The update introduces a new Artist Look developed with photographer Steve McCurry and includes further optimizations tailored for the photographic capabilities of the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max.
A broadly revamped user interface incorporates visual elements based on Apple’s Liquid Glass design language. It uses the same gallery interface as the Leica FOTOS app. The new filmstrip allows selection of individual shots from the detail view, while the grid view offers multi-select functionality for managing large groups of images. Main photographic controls remain in familiar positions. Users can launch Adobe Lightroom, Capture One, and Darkroom mobile apps directly from Lux for enhanced editing. Alternative app icons are inspired by Leica's recognizable cameras.
Steve McCurry Artist Look introduction
The update introduces the Steve McCurry Artist Look, Leica’s second in the series. McCurry is a world-famous photographer known for reportage, travel, portrait, and landscape photography, with a remarkable flair for color. The look aims to convert his approach to color and light into a unique mobile photography aesthetic. It focuses on distinctive color palettes and the interplay of light and color. Leica describes the Artist Look as a starting point, not an automatic recipe. "Leica says the new Artist Look focuses on the relationship between color, light, subject and composition rather than trying to reproduce a specific photograph." This Artist Look will also be made available for the Leica Q3 and Leica SL3 through the Leica FOTOS app.
Integration with Leica ecosystem and hardware
Leica Lux 2.0 deepens integration with the broader Leica system. Marius Eschweiler, Leica Camera AG’s Vice President of Mobile, stated that the update brings mobile photography closer through the shared gallery, new UI, and the Artist Look. New hardware accessories are designed for the iPhone 18 Pro series. The Leica Lux grip, which attaches via MagSafe and communicates over Bluetooth, features a two-stage shutter release, a command dial, and two customizable function buttons. It is compatible with iPhone 12 and later models.
| Accessory | Price | Finish | Key Features | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leica Lux Grip | $395 | Black (available), Silver (coming soon) | Two-stage shutter, control wheel, two customizable buttons, includes 1-year Leica Lux Pro subscription | Leica Online Store, Leica Stores, authorized retailers |
| Leica Lux Case | $95 | Not specified | Premium black leather, red microfiber interior, integrated camera button, MagSafe compatible | Available now |
The new Leica Lux cases are designed for iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, which share the same dimensions as the iPhone 17 Pro Series. Existing Leica LUX app features, such as manual controls for focus, exposure, ISO, and white balance, remain. The app has previously added Perspective Control, halation effects, and monochrome color filters since its launch. The full Leica LUX 2.0 update will arrive on the Apple App Store in early October.
