GoKawiiliFixit finds iPhone 18 Pro's variable aperture camera nearly impossible to repair
iFixit tore down Apple's new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max to examine the variable aperture camera, which uses six overlapping blades roughly as thin as a human hair. The team called the mechanism a precision engineering feat but warned it leaves almost no margin for error during repairs, likely requiring full module replacement if damaged.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
As phone cameras gain more sophisticated hardware, they're becoming less serviceable by independent repair shops or DIY users, pushing costs higher when something fails. Samsung previously abandoned variable aperture tech on the Galaxy S9 due to underwhelming image benefits, raising questions about whether Apple's version justifies the added repair complexity and expense.
- iPhone 18 Pro's variable aperture uses six blades thinner than a human hair
- iFixit says almost no repair enthusiasts can successfully disassemble and reassemble it
- Samsung dropped a similar feature in 2018 after finding it wasn't worth the tradeoffs
Apple iPhone 18 Pro — If you're eyeing that new variable aperture camera for portraits and low-light shots, the iPhone 18 Pro is the device that has it. Just consider a case that offers solid drop protection, since repairs to that camera mechanism sound like a nightmare.aith
See Apple iPhone 18 Pro on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: engadget.com — Sarah Fielding, 2026-09-21
Published there as: “The iPhone 18 Pro's fancy variable aperture camera is incredibly hard to repair”
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