[fastaguy88]

It is may be worth mentioning that it is very difficult to get such amazing pictures without a very stable setup -- both for the subject and for the camera. Even if you have enough light for a high shutter speed, it can be difficult to compose a macro shot if there is any motion at all. And, as was pointed out, lighting/shadows can be tricky when the "camera" lens is just a few inches away.

[throwanem]

Halide does focus peaking, albeit only in manual-focus mode.

In general, though, you're right - I wouldn't want to try for the same kinds of shots with a phone that I get with a DSLR. My macro rig weighs about five pounds, which sounds like a lot and is in comparison with a phone, but between the damping effect of all that mass and the ability to get a good grip with both hands, it makes for a much more stable platform overall.

[brudgers]

Yes. “Use a friggin tripod” still applies. So does “bring your own damn light.”

[CharlesW]

Also, you can avoid touching the iPhone when you shoot by using a timer, a Bluetooth shutter remote, or your Apple Watch (Halide has a watchOS companion app).

[ip26]

Forget about composing the shot, it's often even a struggle just to keep the depth of field centered where you want it. (Apple might be handling that via smarter autofocus, though)

A little sway left or right can be cropped away, but missed focus ruins the shot.