While the iPhone Fold is certainly the most interesting iPhone to launch this fall, the iPhone 18 Pro will always be important for one reason: cameras. The iPhone Fold won’t be able to pack a flagship camera, so if you’re after something, you’ll have to settle for the “boring” iPhone 18 Pro.
Despite looking similar on the outside, it will boast a number of interesting camera improvements.
Variable aperture
Over the past year, there have been numerous rumors that Apple is introducing a variable aperture lens on at least one of its new iPhone models, likely the Pro Max. That never came to fruition with the iPhone 17 Pro Max, but the rumor mill is back — and it’s starting to sound more and more likely.
A variable aperture gives the photographer better control over depth. Right now, all wide-angle iPhone photos are taken at a fixed focal length of f/1.78. A variable aperture would allow you to narrow the depth of field, potentially giving users more control over the look of their photos.
Ming Chi-Kuo first reported the variable aperture for the iPhone 18 Pro in late 2024:
One of the major improvements for the flagship iPhone 18 for 2026 is the upgrade of the wide-angle lens to a variable aperture camera, which greatly improves the user’s photography experience.
Now Weibo, which leaked the Digital Chat Station, has reconfirmed that Apple is testing as such, writing that “iPhones are testing main camera with variable aperture + telephoto lens with large aperture”.
It’s unclear whether this will be available on both iPhone 18 Pro models or just the Pro Max.
Improved telephoto lens
As mentioned above, Apple is also working on an improved “large aperture” telephoto lens.
Currently, the iPhone 17 Pro offers a telephoto lens with an aperture of f/2.8. With an even wider aperture, we could potentially see even better telephoto performance in low light, which the iPhone often struggles with.
We’ll also likely see an even shallower depth of field for non-portrait mode shots – although the author hasn’t said how much the aperture will increase.
Wrap
All in all, if you’re a fan of iPhone cameras, the iPhone 18 Pro certainly sounds more and more attractive. It won’t be a massive upgrade by any means (at least with what we know today) – but with those camera improvements, a smaller dynamic island and potentially more color options, it won’t be the most outdated launch either.
What do you think about iPhones likely to get a variable aperture? Are you excited about these camera improvements? Let us know in the comments.
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