Variable aperture on iPhone 18 Pro/Pro Max, it's confirmed

Corroborating rumors that surfaced as early as the end of last year, the Korean website ET News claims that the 2026 iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will feature a camera sensor with a variable aperture. This lens would replace the main wide-angle sensor, which would coexist with the ultra-wide and telephoto lenses. This technology, usually reserved for professional cameras, allows for adjusting the amount of light reaching the sensor. In practical terms, more light can be captured in dark environments, and less in overly bright conditions to prevent overexposure. Furthermore, this mechanical system will allow for better control of depth of field, or the bokeh effect, which the iPhone previously simulated using software. ET News reports that Apple is currently in discussions with suppliers to procure the necessary components. As a reminder, iPhone main cameras have always been limited by a fixed aperture, namely f/1.78 since the iPhone 14 Pro. Competitor Samsung offered a variable aperture on the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S10 but abandoned the feature in 2020 due to the high price and increased chassis thickness.