Variable Aperture Rumored to Bring Major Camera Upgrade to iPhone 18 Pro

Apple is reportedly planning a significant camera upgrade for its iPhone 18 Pro models, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. For the first time, the main rear camera on the Pro model is expected to include a variable aperture, an innovation that would allow greater control over light exposure and depth of field, adapting to different lighting environments.

Apple has incrementally enhanced the camera technology in its recent iPhone models, introducing advancements like sensor-shift stabilization, 48-megapixel sensors, and a tetraprism 5x telephoto camera. Following these innovations, the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro is set to include a 48-megapixel telephoto lens, finalizing the company’s transition to higher-resolution sensors across its rear cameras. However, the iPhone 18 Pro’s variable aperture would be the next leap, potentially enhancing photo quality further by providing more nuanced control in various lighting conditions.

Kuo shared this insight in his latest Medium post, where he discussed the potential impacts of upcoming Apple products, such as the “Slim” iPhone 17, the M5 MacBook Pro, and the iPhone 18, on key suppliers. Sunny Optical and Luxshare are expected to become the primary and secondary shutter suppliers for the new camera, while Sunny Optical and Largan Precision will likely provide the variable aperture lenses for the iPhone 18 Pro.

Presently, the main cameras on the iPhone 14 Pro, 15 Pro, and 16 Pro models feature a fixed aperture of ƒ/1.78. The introduction of a variable aperture would mark a departure from this fixed approach, potentially allowing the iPhone to adapt automatically to different lighting scenarios. This would improve depth-of-field control, enhancing the sharpness of focal points or producing a smoother background blur when needed. The iPhone 18 is projected to launch in 2026.