Apple is testing two significant upgrades for the rear camera system of the iPhone 18 Pro, including a variable-aperture main camera and a telephoto lens capable of capturing more light.

According to the leaker Digital Chat Station on Weibo, Apple is actively experimenting with a new main camera that can adjust its aperture.

This technology allows the camera to regulate how much light reaches the sensor: widening the aperture in low-light conditions to collect more light, and narrowing it in bright environments to prevent overexposure.

It also gives users better control over depth of field, sharpening the subject while softening the background when desired.

The leaked information aligns with earlier rumors.

In December 2024, supply-chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was the first to reveal that both iPhone 18 Pro models would feature variable aperture.

Apple has never implemented variable aperture on an iPhone before; models from the iPhone 14 Pro through the iPhone 17 Pro all use a fixed ƒ/1.78 aperture.

Samsung previously introduced variable-aperture technology on the Galaxy S9 and S10 but discontinued it in 2020 due to cost and thickness concerns.

The new leak also reaffirms that Apple is testing a brighter telephoto lens for the iPhone 18 Pro.

While the iPhone 17 Pro upgraded its sensor to 48 megapixels, the lens aperture remained at ƒ/2.8.

A wider aperture on the telephoto lens would dramatically improve light intake, reduce image noise, increase shutter speed and enhance background separation.

Other rumors suggest the iPhone 18 Pro may use a telephoto converter to extend focal length and improve zoom performance, along with a 24-megapixel front camera.

The product line is expected to debut this fall and may launch alongside Apple’s first foldable iPhone.

Du Lam