iPhone 18 Pro to Feature Variable Aperture Lens

Apple is preparing to introduce a variable aperture lens on the main rear camera of its upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models, marking the company's first implementation of the feature on a smartphone, according to details shared by a prominent Chinese technology leaker.

The iPhone 18 Pro series, expected to launch this fall, will feature the variable aperture on its primary camera, which has used a fixed f/1.78 opening since the iPhone 14 Pro. This upgrade allows the lens to adjust its opening size, controlling the amount of light reaching the sensor and enabling users to vary the depth of field in photos. In low-light conditions, a wider aperture can capture more light for brighter images, while a narrower one prevents overexposure in bright scenes and keeps more of the image in focus. Leaker Digital Chat Station, known for accurate Apple insights on the social platform Weibo, stated that production of the component has begun, with suppliers Largan and Sunny Optical handling manufacturing. The feature may include a slightly curved aperture design to enhance bokeh effects, producing softer, more circular blur in portraits.

Beyond the variable aperture, Apple is...