Apple is reportedly planning to equip the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max with a variable aperture camera system, offering greater flexibility in controlling light and depth for photography. The upgrade would allow the lens to mechanically adjust its aperture, improving low-light performance and image sharpness across different shooting conditions.
According to information shared by Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station, the next-generation iPhone 18 Pro lineup will introduce a main camera capable of switching between multiple aperture values. This setup is expected to deliver both wider openings, such as f/1.4 for night and indoor scenes, and narrower ones like f/2.0 for bright outdoor environments. The mechanical adjustment will help balance exposure, depth of field, and background blur without relying entirely on computational processing.
Apple has been steadily advancing its camera hardware while refining image algorithms through features like Smart HDR, Deep Fusion, and the Photonic Engine. A physical variable aperture would mark the company’s most significant optical leap since the introduction of the tetraprism zoom lens on the iPhone 17 Pro. By combining mechanical and software control, the iPhone 18 Pro could produce more natural results in challenging light conditions, while also offering greater manual control to photographers.
The new system is rumored to be supplied by LG Innotek, one of Apple’s primary camera component partners. A design of this complexity could also indicate a broader sensor upgrade, with improved autofocus performance, reduced image noise, and enhanced subject separation in portrait mode. Apple may pair the new camera with the upcoming A20 chip, which will likely include a next-generation image signal processor optimized for variable aperture adjustments.
The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to be announced in fall 2026 as part of Apple’s regular release cycle. If the leak is accurate, this feature could become a defining upgrade for professional photographers and enthusiasts seeking more control over how the iPhone captures light and depth in every shot.
