Ever since 2024, there have been rumors about Apple planning to introduce a variable aperture camera on the iPhone 18 Pro models, but it was believed that the feature would come to both Pro and Pro Max devices.
A Chinese leaker this month poured cold water on that assumption. According to Ice Universe, only the iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature variable aperture for "the best camera experience." So what does that entail?
Apple has never implemented a variable aperture on an iPhone. From the iPhone 14 Pro through the iPhone 17 Pro, the main camera uses a fixed ƒ/1.78 aperture, meaning the lens remains fully open at all times when capturing images.
With a variable lens, the iPhone 18 Pro Max could allow users to manually shift the aperture, similar to on a DSLR camera. It could mean more control over depth of field and bright light, enabling sharper focus on subjects. That all depends on how Apple implements the feature, of course. It may be more automated than that.
Interestingly, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman now appears to have put his weight behind the Pro Max-exclusivity of the variable aperture lens. Commenting on Apple's "Surprise and shine" event invite sent to the media, Gurman said he sees the shining light behind Apple's logo as a nod to the "mechanical aperture on the iPhone 18 Pro Max."
It seems buyers of the smaller iPhone 18 Pro could well miss out.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is rumored to be bigger and heavier than its predecessor this year. But apart from the rumored aperture lens, it is expected to be otherwise equivalent to its smaller sibling. You can expect both iPhone 18 Pro models to be unveiled alongside Apple's first foldable iPhone during Apple's event, which takes place on Wednesday, September 9.
