Apple seems set to join a trend started by several Android competitors. The iPhone 18 Pro, expected to go official in 2026, might come with a variable aperture camera system, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Android manufacturers have long experimented with variable aperture lenses to give users more control over light intake and depth of field. These lenses adjust their opening size, much like professional cameras.
In bright settings, a narrower aperture allows for sharper images and a deeper depth of field, where both foreground and background elements remain in focus.
Conversely, a wider aperture admits more light, ideal for capturing well-exposed photos in dimly lit environments, albeit with a shallower depth of field that blurs the background behind the subject.
It’s iPhone 18 if not the 17
The Information previously hinted that a variable aperture camera might debut on at least one iPhone 17 model, but Kuo’s latest report suggests this feature could be delayed until the 2026 iPhone 18 lineup.
Specifically, Kuo expects the iPhone 18 Pro’s primary rear camera to benefit from this technology.
His industry survey indicates that Sunny Optical will likely be the primary supplier for the camera’s shutter mechanism, with Luxshare as a secondary source. Notably, Sunny Optical is also expected to supply the variable aperture lens as a secondary provider, with Largan Precision remaining the primary source.
So far, all iPhone models rely on fixed aperture lenses, which limits the control over light intake and depth of field. Variable aperture technology, however, could give users finer control over these settings, allowing adjustments to suit their preferences.
It’s important to note that Kuo’s report is based on industry surveys and should be treated as an informed prediction rather than a confirmed fact. With the iPhone 18 launch still two years away, Apple has ample time to refine its plans and possibly change t its camera strategy.
(Source)
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