Rumored Variable Aperture to Debut on iPhone 18 Pro Models

iPhone 18 Pro to feature a professional-grade variable aperture for improved photography control.

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, expected to launch in September 2026, are already generating excitement with rumors of a groundbreaking camera feature. According to prominent Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, these models will introduce variable aperture technology in their main rear cameras—a first for the iPhone lineup.

The main camera, a 48-megapixel Fusion lens also known as the Wide camera in earlier models, currently operates with a fixed aperture of ƒ/1.78 in devices like the iPhone 14 Pro, 15 Pro, and 16 Pro. A fixed aperture means the lens is perpetually wide open, limiting control over light and depth of field. The iPhone 18 Pro, however, is expected to allow users to manually adjust the aperture, enabling them to regulate the amount of light passing through the lens and reaching the sensor.

Variable aperture technology is more commonly associated with professional DSLR and mirrorless cameras from brands like Sony and Canon. Its implementation on the iPhone 18 Pro could enhance depth of field control, allowing for sharper focus on subjects while naturally blurring the background. However, due to the smaller image sensors in smartphones, the impact of this feature remains uncertain.

Supporting this development, Dutch company BE Semiconductor is reported to supply the assembly equipment for the aperture blades, the mechanical components that control light intake.

Kuo also highlighted the potential for a larger image sensor in the iPhone 18 Pro models. If realized, this upgrade could naturally enhance the “bokeh” effect, an aesthetic feature currently achieved through computational methods in Apple’s Portrait mode. A larger sensor combined with variable aperture would further refine the depth and clarity of images.

Notably, earlier rumors speculated that variable aperture might debut in the iPhone 17 series, but Kuo’s latest insights suggest the technology will instead be reserved for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup.

As these details remain speculative, more information is likely to emerge as the launch date approaches.

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