Apple Log vs Apple Log 2: What They Are and Which Look to Use on iPhone
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If you shoot video on an iPhone Pro, you will eventually meet two flat colour profiles with almost the same name: Apple Log and Apple Log 2. They look similar out of camera, and that is where a lot of creators get stuck — which profile did I record, and which look should I load?
Short answer: both are Log profiles built for grading, not for posting straight out of camera. Use the iPhone Apple Log LUTs pack from Ypresets for either profile. Match the look to the profile on the clip. If the clip already looks normal and colourful, it is not Log — use iPhone Cinematic LUTs instead.
What is Apple Log?
Apple Log is a flat colour profile on supported iPhone Pro models. The image looks grey, soft and low contrast on purpose. That flatness keeps more highlight and shadow detail so you can grade later without the harsh, already-baked look of a normal Camera-app clip.
You can record Apple Log as ProRes or HEVC. The colour intent is the same either way. Native Camera and the Blackmagic Camera App both work, as long as the clip is actually Log.
What is Apple Log 2?
Apple Log 2 is Apple’s newer Log profile. It follows the same idea as Apple Log — flat, grey, more dynamic range — with an updated curve. On phones that offer Log 2, treat it as its own profile when you grade. Do not assume a look labelled for Apple Log will be the perfect match for an Apple Log 2 clip, or the other way around.
In practice: check the colour profile label on the clip, then pick the matching Apple Log or Apple Log 2 looks inside the Ypresets pack.
Which iPhones support Apple Log and Apple Log 2?
Apple Log (and Apple Log 2 where Apple provides it) is a Pro feature. The phones Ypresets builds for are:
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 17 Pro
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
- iPhone 18 Pro
- iPhone 18 Pro Max
A non-Pro iPhone cannot shoot Apple Log. A Pro that is recording normal video is also not in Log — look at the clip, not only the model name.
Apple Log vs Apple Log 2 at a glance
| Apple Log | Apple Log 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Flat Log colour profile for grading | Newer flat Log profile from Apple |
| How it looks SOOC | Grey, low contrast, low saturation | Also flat and grey — still needs a grade |
| Which Ypresets pack | iPhone Apple Log LUTs | iPhone Apple Log LUTs |
| Which looks to load | Apple Log looks | Apple Log 2 looks |
| Codec | ProRes or HEVC | ProRes or HEVC |
The key takeaway is simple: Log and Log 2 are related, but they are not identical. Match the folder to the profile on the timeline.
When should you use which look?
- Clip labelled Apple Log — load the Apple Log looks from the iPhone Apple Log LUTs pack.
- Clip labelled Apple Log 2 — load the Apple Log 2 looks from the same pack.
- Clip looks normal and colourful already — that is standard iPhone video. Soft recommendation: iPhone Cinematic LUTs.
You do not need two purchases for Log and Log 2. One Apple Log pack covers both profiles on the Pro models listed above.
What about iPhone Duo?
Apple has announced iPhone Duo, but the official Duo pages have not confirmed Apple Log or Apple Log 2 yet. Until Apple enables Log and your Duo clip is clearly flat and grey, do not buy the Apple Log pack for Duo. For normal Duo video, start with iPhone Cinematic LUTs.
How to apply the LUTs
- Confirm the clip is still flat Log (grey, low contrast).
- Import the matching .cube from the Apple Log or Apple Log 2 looks.
- Apply it once on the clip or adjustment layer.
- Nudge intensity if you want, then export.
These looks turn flat Log into a clean cinematic Rec.709-style grade. Desktop editors such as DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro, After Effects, CapCut desktop and LumaFusion work when they can load a .cube file. CapCut mobile cannot load .cube files.
FAQ
Is Apple Log the same as Apple Log 2?
No. They are both flat Log profiles, but Apple Log 2 is the newer curve. Grade them as two profiles and match the look to the label on the clip.
Which iPhones can shoot Apple Log or Apple Log 2?
iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Non-Pro iPhones cannot.
Do I need different LUT packs for Log and Log 2?
No. One Ypresets pack covers both: iPhone Apple Log LUTs. Choose the Apple Log or Apple Log 2 looks that match the clip.
Do these LUTs work on normal iPhone video?
No. Normal iPhone video is already processed in camera. If the clip looks contrasty and colourful, use iPhone Cinematic LUTs instead.
Do I need ProRes for Apple Log?
No. Apple Log and Apple Log 2 can be ProRes or HEVC. The colour profile matters more than the codec name.
Does this work on iPhone Duo?
Not until Apple confirms Log on Duo and your footage is clearly flat Log. For standard Duo video, use iPhone Cinematic LUTs.
Where can I get help choosing the right look?
Email hi@ypresets.com with your iPhone model and the colour profile shown on the clip. The Ypresets team can point you to the right folder quickly.
Final takeaway
Apple Log and Apple Log 2 are both flat Pro profiles that need a grade. List the phone in full when you care about compatibility — iPhone 15 Pro through iPhone 18 Pro Max — then match the look to the profile on the clip. The pack to use is iPhone Apple Log LUTs. Soft path for non-Log or Duo standard video: iPhone Cinematic LUTs.