Samsung Revives Variable Aperture for Galaxy Phones

Samsung is reportedly reviving development of variable aperture camera technology for its upcoming Galaxy smartphones, a feature it pioneered years ago but abandoned, in a move seemingly aimed at countering Apple's planned introduction of the system on the iPhone 18 Pro later this year.

According to industry reports from South Korean outlet ETNews, Samsung Electronics has enlisted multiple camera module suppliers, including Samsung Electro-Mechanics and MCNEX, to design and test variable aperture components. The effort is in its early stages, with prototypes under evaluation, though no final decision has been made on integration into consumer devices. Insiders indicate strong internal commitment to the project, which could debut as soon as the Galaxy S26 series next year or the S27 lineup in 2026.

Variable aperture technology allows a smartphone camera to physically adjust the lens opening, similar to a traditional camera, to control light intake. This enables brighter images in low-light conditions by widening the aperture and sharper, more focused shots in bright environments by narrowing it, while also providing natural depth-of-field effects that software alone often...