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A hands-on test compared the iPhone 18 Pro's new variable aperture lens at f/1.8 versus its widened f/1.48 setting for Night mode photography. Switching to the wider aperture cut exposure duration in one test shot from 2.1 seconds to 1.7 seconds, with similar modest reductions seen in other shots. The lens can also be manually stopped down to f/4 to deliberately lengthen exposures, such as for smoothing moving water.
A tech writer who has used the iPhone 18 Pro for a month reports strong satisfaction with three features: battery life that often leaves 60% charge at day's end, a variable-aperture Main camera that consistently produces sharp Auto-mode photos, and a new vapor chamber cooling system that keeps the phone responsive in hot, sunny conditions. The reviewer contrasts this year's Main camera upgrade with recent years, when Apple focused more on Telephoto, Ultra Wide, and Front camera improvements.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro features a main camera with a wider aperture of f/1.48, compared to the previous model's f/1.78, aiming to enhance background blur in photos. Tests comparing images taken at both apertures under controlled conditions showed only minor differences in depth of field. The study focused on optical effects, excluding computational Portrait mode enhancements.
The iPhone 18 Pro's 48-megapixel main camera reportedly includes a variable aperture with six physical blades, offering four settings: f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8 and f/4. Users can adjust aperture through a six-dot control in the Camera app, though it only applies to the main lens in 1x and 2x modes, while other lenses keep a fixed aperture.
Lux Optics updated its Halide Mark III camera app to support the iPhone 18 Pro's variable aperture main camera, letting users select any f-stop from f/1.48 to f/4.0 rather than fixed presets. The update also adds two new photo looks, Dawn and Quicksilver, which apply distinct color and contrast treatments to images.
Apple has released a Final Cut Camera update that supports the iPhone 18 Pro's variable aperture and redesigned camera controls, including easier access to ISO and white balance settings. Final Cut Pro and Motion now allow editing of depth of field and focus points for footage shot on the new phone, and Apple also pushed updates across Pages, Keynote, Numbers, Freeform and Pixelmator Pro.
Apple released an update to its Final Cut Camera app on Tuesday adding support for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max's variable aperture and Cinematic mode effects. The redesigned app, available on any iPhone, offers easier access to settings like white balance and ISO plus customizable overlays, while Pro and Pro Max users gain aperture control and Cinematic mode adjustments for regular video footage edited in Final Cut Pro.
Apple released Final Cut Camera version 2.4, adding a redesigned interface with easier access to settings. The update also brings support for iPhone 18 Pro's variable aperture (f/1.48 to f/4), including shutter priority, aperture priority and manual modes, plus Cinematic mode effects in ProRes and Apple Log. The app requires an Apple Creator Studio subscription priced at $12.99 monthly or $129 annually.
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.
Apple's native camera app limits the iPhone 18 Pro's variable-aperture main camera to four fixed settings (f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8, f/4), even in Auto mode. Third-party apps BlackMagic Camera and Moment Pro Camera II have both added support for the aperture hardware with 10 presets in 1/3-stop increments, offering finer control than Apple's own app. BlackMagic's version 3.5 was initially reported as buggy but has since been updated to 3.5.1 with stability fixes.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro is now available, featuring a variable aperture camera, new Pro Controls for shutter speed adjustments, and an internal redesign with a larger vapor chamber for cooling. Its foldable iPhone Duo, set to launch October 23, has a passport-style folding design with a 7.6-inch inner screen but only two rear cameras and no variable aperture, starting at $1,999 versus $1,199 for the 18 Pro.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro shares nearly identical dimensions, weight and 6.3-inch OLED displays with last year's 17 Pro, but adds a variable aperture camera for exposure control, a slightly smaller Dynamic Island supporting three Live Activities, and a redesigned vapor cooling chamber. It costs roughly $100 more than the 17 Pro and drops the orange color option available on the prior model.