In a sense, the Leica LUX app brings Leica’s look and feel to the iPhone. It offers a less convoluted UI, a more tactile shooting experience, and access to custom Leica color profiles. It doesn’t try to mimic pro cameras through gimmicks and the like—it leans into what the iPhone can already do and gives you more control over it.

I used the app in various locations: architectural shots, teaching sessions, and as my main iPhone camera when used in conjunction with the Leica LUX Grip. It hasn’t replaced my camera, but it’s the only mobile app that made me want to slow down and compose.

The free version of the app was used for this review instead of the full pro version. The free version has its limitations in terms of functionality, available lens emulations, and available Leica Looks, yet for this review, the free version was more than adequate. More on the pricing of the app later.

Manual controls

Shutter speed

ISO

Manual focus with peaking (Pro)

Exposure compensation

Live histogram (Pro)

Leica Looks

Leica Standard

Leica Classic

Leica Contemporary

Black and white options

Focus peaking

Tap-to-focus

Clean interface with no bloat

Compatibility: iPhone 12 and newer

The app feels fast. You tap the shutter, it shoots—no delay, no animations—just a clean, decisive click with haptic feedback if you engage it. The controls are easy to learn, even if you are not a photographer. Its straightforward UI is just that—straightforward. The app encourages you to shoot slower and with more purpose. No filters, no fluff, just exposure, focus, and selection of Leica Look, which incidentally is retained from the last setting used.