After years of varying rumors, it appears that Apple is finally working on an adjustable aperture for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models. With such a system, the camera can determine how much light falls on the sensor, which provides more control in different lighting conditions.
Where ETNews previously reported that both the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone 18 Pro Max would get this feature, claims Digital Chat Station now that only the largest model, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, is equipped with an adjustable aperture. Apple thus appears to be limiting the technological experiment to the top model for the time being.
What is an adjustable aperture?
An adjustable aperture gives the camera control over the amount of light that reaches the sensor. In dark situations you can open the aperture further to let in more light; In bright light you can close it to prevent overexposure. In addition, a variable aperture offers more control over depth of field, which helps with portraits and close-ups.
The technology works similar to the pupil of the human eye, which automatically adjusts to the amount of available light. In a lot of light the pupil becomes smaller, in little light it becomes larger. Apple may apply the same principle in the camera lens of the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Apple’s plans for variable aperture technology
According to ETNews, this variable aperture technique would improve the main camera (wide-angle lens) of the iPhone 18 Pro models, in addition to the ultra-wide-angle and telephoto lenses. Apple is said to be already working on coordinating components with suppliers in order to produce on time. If this is true, it would be the first iPhone with an adjustable aperture.
The main cameras from the iPhone 14 Pro to iPhone 17 Pro have a fixed aperture of ƒ/1.78 and always shoot at the same value. This means that the lens is permanently fully open, without the possibility of adjustment. Adding an adjustable option makes taking photos in low light even better.
Advantages of adjustable aperture
With an adjustable aperture, users have more control over their photos. The aperture determines how much light enters the camera. In dark situations you can open the aperture wider to let in more light, and in bright light you can close it to prevent overexposure.
Instead of just using software effects like Portrait mode, an adjustable aperture allows for real depth of field. This produces nicer blurred backgrounds (bokeh) and better separates the subject from the background. With portrait photos, you can open the aperture further to create a large blur behind the subject, while the subject remains sharp. For landscape photos, you can set the aperture smaller so that both the foreground and background are sharp. This flexibility is very similar to that of professional DSLR and system cameras.
A variable aperture also offers advantages for videography. Filmmakers who want to shoot at 24fps in bright sunlight can reduce the aperture to avoid overexposure. This allows for better exposure control without relying on electronic shutter speeds.
Availability iPhone 18 series
Although the iPhone 17 series has only just been released, rumors about the iPhone 18 series are already running at full speed. According to multiple sources, Apple would like to present the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September 2026, together with the iPhone Air 2 and possibly the first foldable iPhone. The standard iPhone 18 models, including the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e, are not expected until spring 2027. This rumor has now appeared several times, indicating that Apple may be considering a new launch schedule for the entry-level models.