GoKawiilApple's iPhone 18 Pro adds variable-aperture main camera, 4K/60 video
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max introduce a variable-aperture 48-megapixel main camera that can switch between f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8 and f/4.0, unlike the fixed f/1.78 lens on last year's iPhone 17 Pro. The new models also add manual controls for shutter speed and white balance, an on-screen histogram, rear-camera Cinematic mode video up to 4K/60fps, and a feature called Apple Reference Image that stores sensor-signed RAW data alongside processed photos. Ultra Wide and Telephoto camera specs remain unchanged from the prior generation.
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The variable aperture gives photographers more creative control over depth of field, which could make the 'Pro' label feel more justified to enthusiasts who felt limited by fixed apertures in prior models. The Apple Reference Image feature suggests Apple is responding to growing concerns about AI-manipulated photos by offering a way to verify authenticity, though how widely this will be adopted or trusted remains to be seen.
- New main camera supports four aperture settings (f/1.48 to f/4.0) versus fixed f/1.78 previously
- Cinematic mode video doubles rear-camera frame rate to 4K/60fps, though front camera stays at 4K/30
- Apple Reference Image stores signed RAW data to help verify a photo hasn't been altered
Apple iPhone 18 Pro — The iPhone 18 Pro's new variable aperture main camera brings genuine manual photography control to a smartphone, letting you adjust depth of field like a dedicated camera. If you're upgrading from an older iPhone or want the latest Pro camera system with shutter speed and white balance controls, this is the newest flagship to check out.
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 — Will Shanklin, 2026-09-26
Published there as: “iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 17 Pro: What's new?”
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