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A smartphone screen displaying a video recording interface. A woman in period attire stands in a vintage room, with a candelabra in the background. The recording timer is visible at the top, and indicators for exposure and recording status are present.

iPhones Go “Pro” with Final Cut Camera 2.0

14.09.2025
iPhones just levelled-up: Final Cut Camera 2.0 adds ProRes RAW, genlock, open-gate, Apple Log 2, timecode and multicam workflow tools – free update arriving later in September.

Apple has updated its smartphone filming companion, Final Cut Camera, to version 2.0. The free expansion unlocks advanced recording capabilities on the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, including ProRes RAW recording, genlock, open-gate capture, Apple Log 2, expanded timecode options, and full integration with Live Multicam in Final Cut Pro for iPad and Mac.

ProRes RAW on a Phone

The iPhone 17 Pro models are the first smartphones to support ProRes RAW. This format preserves unprocessed sensor data, providing extended dynamic range and grading flexibility. ProRes RAW files benefit from Apple’s Media Engine for export acceleration and storage efficiency.

Genlock: Frame-Sync for Multicam

Final Cut Camera 2.0 introduces genlock, allowing iPhones to synchronise with other cameras via a reference signal. This ensures frame-accurate alignment and removes the need for manual syncing.

Apple has also released a genlock API, already supported by Blackmagic Design’s Camera ProDock. The feature enables professional-grade techniques such as bullet-time rigs with multiple iPhones shooting in perfect sync.

A row of smartphones mounted on mechanical rigs, lined up in a dimly lit environment with multiple spotlights illuminating the scene, creating a dramatic atmosphere.

Support for open-gate capture allows use of the iPhone’s full sensor area, beyond the standard 16:9 or DCI 4K crop. This offers flexibility for reframing, stabilisation and creative aspect ratios in post without quality loss.

Apple Log 2 and Timecode

Final Cut Camera 2.0 adds Apple Log 2, a flatter capture profile available in ProRes and HEVC, with extended colour representation and compatibility with LUT workflows. Timecode handling now includes Time of Day, Record Run, and external timecode input, offering professional clip management and multicam reliability.

A film crew works inside an elegant room, with a woman in historical attire posing by a window. One crew member holds a camera while another adjusts lighting, creating a focused atmosphere for the shoot.

The update adds manual controls for the new Center Stage front camera on the iPhone 17 line, including the iPhone Air. The square sensor records in both portrait and landscape orientation without rotating the device, a practical option for vloggers and journalists. Final Cut Camera now supports recording from the 200 mm Telephoto lens on iPhone 17 Pro at ProRes up to 4K60 fps. This extends creative framing options directly from the handset.

Rollout and Requirements

Final Cut Camera 2.0 will be available as a free App Store download later in September 2025. The app runs on iPhone Xs or newer with iOS 18.6 or later, though ProRes RAW and genlock require iOS 26 and an iPhone 17 Pro model. Parallel updates to Final Cut Pro 11.2 (Mac) and Final Cut Pro 2.3 (iPad) are planned to support these workflows, but Apple has not confirmed release dates.

For production teams, this update significantly broadens the iPhone’s potential. Still, as with any new recording format or feature, these workflows should be tested under production conditions before deployment.

Bela Beier Author