iPhone 18 Pro May Revive Variable Aperture: A Bold Camera Comeback

Apple’s next flagship could bring back a camera feature that even Samsung once abandoned. According to multiple reports, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to introduce a variable aperture on their main rear cameras.

If true, this would mark a major shift in Apple’s mobile photography strategy and potentially raise the bar for the entire industry.

What Is a Variable Aperture?

An aperture is the opening inside a camera lens that controls how much light reaches the sensor. Most iPhones, including the iPhone 14 Pro through the iPhone 17 Pro generation, use a fixed aperture of ƒ/1.78. This means the lens remains fully open at all times.

A variable aperture changes that.

With adjustable mechanical blades inside the lens, the camera can open wider in low-light environments to capture more light or narrow in bright conditions to prevent overexposure. Beyond lighting benefits, it also improves depth of field control, allowing users to create more natural background blur without relying entirely on software.

For photographers and content creators, that added flexibility can make a meaningful difference.

Samsung Tried It First

Samsung introduced variable aperture technology with the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Samsung Galaxy S10. At the time, it was considered one of the most advanced camera systems in a smartphone.

However, the feature increased device thickness and manufacturing costs. By 2020, Samsung had moved back to fixed apertures. Even so, newer Android devices like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra and Huawei Mate series have continued experimenting with similar hardware-based solutions.

Now, reports suggest Samsung may reconsider variable aperture again, especially if Apple moves forward with it. Competition in mobile photography remains fierce, and hardware advantages are becoming increasingly important as software processing reaches maturity.

More Than Just the Camera

The iPhone 18 Pro models are also rumored to include several additional upgrades, including a smaller Dynamic Island, Apple’s next-generation A20 chip, improved battery life, the C2 modem, a refined Camera Control button, and the N1 wireless chip. The devices are expected to launch in the fall, potentially alongside Apple’s first foldable iPhone.

While these enhancements are exciting, the variable aperture may be the most transformative. It signals Apple’s willingness to embrace more complex hardware solutions instead of relying solely on computational photography.

Upgrading Your iPhone? Make Data Migration Easy

Whenever a new iPhone launches, many users prepare to upgrade. Moving your photos, videos, and personal files to a new device should be smooth and secure.

That is where Smart Transfer can help. As a third party transfer app, Smart Transfer simplifies the process of moving information between devices. Whether you are upgrading within Apple’s ecosystem or switching platforms, the app allows you to copy phone file data efficiently and securely.

From important documents to treasured memories stored in your gallery, Smart Transfer ensures everything arrives safely on your new device. A powerful new camera deserves to start with all your existing content ready to capture even more.

A New Era for Smartphone Cameras?

If Apple delivers a variable aperture on the iPhone 18 Pro, it could reshape expectations for flagship photography. Hardware-based improvements paired with Apple’s computational imaging might offer the best of both worlds.

The next wave of smartphone innovation may not just be about smarter software. It could also be about reintroducing physical precision where it matters most.