A leaker with a good track record on iPhone camera matters has backed earlier reports that the iPhone 18 Pro will get a variable aperture lens, something not yet seen in an iPhone.
It’s not yet clear whether both the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will get the upcoming feature, or whether it will be exclusive to the latter …
Variable aperture lenses
You can find a detailed explanation with examples in our earlier explainer, but the executive summary of the key benefit is greater ability to control the depth of field (DoF) in a photo.
You can have a shallow DoF when you want to isolate the subject from the background, a medium DoF when you want isolation while ensuring the background is still recognizable, or a deep DOF when you want everything in shot to be in focus.
Portrait mode creates an artificial shallow DoF effect, and the telephoto lens offers some degree of optical effect, but a variable aperture lens would offer more control in more circumstances. Reducing the aperture would also have benefits for filmmakers wanting to shoot at 24fps in sunlight.
Latest leak from Digital Chat Station
Ming-Chi Kuo was the first to report plans to introduce the feature in the iPhone 18, and it’s recently been backed by a supply chain report.
Leaker Digital Chat Station (DCS) also cites supply chain sources in corroborating these reports.
From supply chain information, the iPhone 18 series will further strengthen the Pro models […] Pro Max has seen variable large aperture materials, and the 48Mp telephoto lens also has a wider aperture.
... continue reading