Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Could Feature DSLR-Style Variable Aperture Lens

Apple could finally bring variable aperture technology to the iPhone 18 Pro, giving users DSLR-style control over how much light enters the lens. According to Digital Chat Station on Weibo, the next-generation iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will feature a redesigned 48MP Fusion camera with an adjustable aperture, a first for any iPhone.

Current iPhones, including the iPhone 17 Pro, use a fixed f/1.78 aperture. A variable aperture would let users manually adjust the lens, opening it wider for low-light shots or narrowing it for brighter scenes and more depth. Both the main and telephoto cameras are also rumored to get larger apertures, improving light capture and overall image clarity.

Analysts and suppliers confirm the feature

Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo first predicted the addition of a variable aperture lens in 2024, and ET News has now reinforced it. The report says Sunny Optical will lead lens production, while Luxshare and Largan Precision assist with manufacturing. Apple is reportedly finalizing supply chain preparations, indicating the feature is well into development.

The iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to maintain the iPhone 17’s design but could introduce minor visual tweaks, possibly including a transparent back design, while focusing on internal camera upgrades.

How variable aperture improves iPhone photography

Unlike fixed lenses, a variable aperture physically adjusts the size of the lens opening. A lower f-number (like f/1.4) allows more light, producing a natural background blur, while a higher f-number (like f/4) keeps more elements sharp and in focus. This is optical depth of field, not software-generated blur.

Think of shooting a close-up at night, widening the aperture brightens the subject and softens the background. During the day, narrowing it helps maintain crisp details across the frame. It’s the kind of manual control that bridges smartphone and DSLR photography.

Apple partners with Samsung for new sensors

BE Semiconductor will provide the assembly equipment for the new aperture mechanism. Sunny Optical remains Apple’s main component partner, but in a surprising move, Samsung might supply 200MP sensors for the iPhone 18 lineup, the first time Apple has used Samsung camera hardware. PhoneArena reports production could begin by March 2026.

This would mark a leap from the current 48MP setup, offering better detail, dynamic range, and low-light performance. The partnership shows Apple’s willingness to prioritize camera quality, even if it means collaborating with its biggest rival.

Apple isn’t the first to use variable aperture. Samsung debuted it with the Galaxy S9 in 2018, and Huawei and Honor later refined the technology in their flagships. Apple’s delayed entry could pay off, combining this proven hardware with its strong computational processing to deliver richer, more realistic images.

Expected release window

Based on current leaks, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to debut in September 2026. If accurate, this feature would mark one of Apple’s most meaningful hardware changes in years, bringing true DSLR-like aperture control to the iPhone lineup.