Numerous rumors and leaks suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will revolutionize photography by reviving an advanced camera feature that was present in Samsung's flagship phones years ago. What is this feature? And why has Apple decided to bring it back now? Let's delve into the details.
Variable aperture: The secret to future professional photos
This is about the "variable aperture" feature of the main camera. To put it simply, imagine the aperture as the pupil of the human eye; it widens in the dark to let in more light and narrows in bright light to protect the eye from glare and excessive brightness. That's exactly what the variable aperture in a camera does.
The aperture is the opening inside the camera lens that controls the amount of light reaching the image sensor. The larger the aperture (smaller f-number), the more light enters the sensor. The smaller the aperture (larger f-number), the less light enters.
The variable aperture gives you more control over these things:
Amount of light: In dark environments, the aperture can be opened wide to gather as much light as possible, resulting in brighter, clearer images with less noise. Conversely, in well-lit environments, the aperture can be closed to prevent overexposure and preserve detail.
Depth of Field: This feature indicates how sharp the foreground element is compared to the background. When the aperture is wide (small f-number), the depth of field is shallow, resulting in a beautiful blurred background, or "bokeh effect," that makes the main subject stand out. When the aperture is narrow (large f-number), the depth of field is deeper, meaning that most elements in the image, both foreground and background, will be in sharp focus. This flexibility gives photographers unprecedented creative power on iPhones.
The Journey of Variable Aperture Lenses: From Samsung to Apple
The surprising thing is that this feature isn't entirely new to the world of smartphones. Samsung introduced a variable aperture camera in its flagship S9 and S10 phones in 2018 and 2019, respectively. It has also appeared in other recent Android phones such as the Xiaomi Mi 14 Ultra, Honor Magic 7 Pro, and Huawei's Mate series.
Why did Samsung abandon it?
In 2020, Samsung decided to abandon this feature. Reports indicate that the main reason was the increased thickness of the device and the rising cost of components. Although the feature was considered very advanced at the time, technical and economic challenges led Samsung to abandon it in favor of fixed aperture cameras that rely more on software processing.
Apple is going back in time!
Apple has never used a variable aperture in iPhone cameras before. For example, the main cameras in all iPhone 14 Pro models up to and including the iPhone 17 Pro have a fixed aperture of ƒ/1.78, and the lens is always fully open and captures images at this aperture.
Now, after years of Apple's commitment to a fixed slot, reports from renowned supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in December 2024, as well as a more recent report in October 2025, indicate that Apple plans to move forward with integrating this technology into the next generation of iPhone Pro models. Apple is already in discussions with suppliers regarding the necessary components.
The Apple effect: Samsung is rethinking!
Surprisingly, Apple's decision to revive this feature has prompted Samsung, which had previously abandoned it, to reconsider! Reports indicate that Samsung sees the addition of a variable aperture as "essential for increasing the competitiveness of its cameras," replacing software updates with actual hardware. The company hopes that by investing in this technology, it can reduce device thickness and costs over time.
Samsung has already asked several of its camera unit partners to develop variable aperture lenses and provide samples. While the feature is still in its early stages of development and its final inclusion in future Galaxy devices is not yet confirmed, there is a strong intention to introduce it. This demonstrates the significant influence Apple can have on shaping the smartphone market.
What's behind the variable aperture in the iPhone 18 Pro?
In addition to the revolutionary variable aperture lens, the iPhone 18 Pro models are rumored to carry a number of other improvements and features:
◉ A smaller, dynamic island, providing more screen space.
◉ The new A20 chip is expected to deliver unprecedented performance and higher energy efficiency.
◉ Longer battery life based on improvements in battery and component efficiency that will ensure longer device use.
◉ The C2 modem is expected to provide a faster and more reliable network connection.
◉ Simplified camera control button for an easier and smoother shooting experience.
◉ N1 wireless chip to enhance wireless communications.
If these rumors prove true, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will represent a quantum leap in smartphone photography. The variable aperture will allow users to capture near-professional-looking photos with greater control over lighting and depth of field, opening up new horizons for visual creativity. Apple, as always, doesn't just offer technology; it delivers it in a game-changing way that forces competitors to catch up.
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