A historic leap for iPhone cameras

If the rumors are true, the 48MP Fusion lens on the iPhone 18 Pro will be the first iPhone camera capable of adjusting its aperture.

This means users will be able to change how wide the lens opens, similar to how professional photographers control light exposure on DSLR cameras.

When capturing images in low light, the lens will automatically widen to let in more light, resulting in brighter, clearer, and less noisy photos.

In well-lit environments, the aperture can be narrowed to achieve greater depth of field, making both foreground and background appear sharp.

Current models like the iPhone 15 Pro, 16 Pro, and 17 Pro all feature fixed apertures at F/1.78.

If Apple truly enables adjustable aperture on the iPhone 18 Pro, users will gain significantly more control over their photography, similar to handling a professional handheld camera.

Opening a new chapter in iPhone photography

By adopting variable aperture, Apple could unlock a range of new experiences for photography enthusiasts.

Wider apertures will enhance night photography, increase brightness, reduce noise, and capture more detail in low-light scenes.

When narrowed, the aperture can produce more natural background blur (bokeh), reducing reliance on software-driven effects.

Even more significantly, with manual control, users will be able to decide how much background blur they want for portraits or landscapes, replicating the creative control found in DSLRs.

This long-awaited upgrade is expected to excite the iPhone photography community worldwide.

Not the first time, but now more believable

This isn’t the first time variable aperture rumors have surfaced.

In November of last year, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted the iPhone 18 Pro would feature this technology.

Earlier rumors suggested the iPhone 17 Pro might include it, but that did not materialize.

However, with Digital Chat Station’s strong track record of accurate leaks, the current speculation is considered highly credible.

The source previously revealed that the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus would use smaller 48MP sensors than the Pro model – a detail later confirmed by Apple.

They also correctly predicted the iPhone 12 display design before launch.

Apple and Samsung gear up for the next camera war

Apple isn't alone in this race.

Samsung is also rumored to bring variable aperture to its Galaxy S26 Ultra, which is expected to launch around the same time as the iPhone 18 Pro in late 2026.

If both giants implement this feature, mobile photography may enter a new era – where smartphones begin to match the creative potential of professional cameras.

Apple, known for its prowess in software-based image processing and AI, could reach new heights by pairing that with advanced mechanical lens systems.

If successful, the iPhone 18 Pro may become the best smartphone camera in the world.

Not just an upgrade – a revolution

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September 2026.

Beyond camera enhancements, the new Pro series is rumored to feature a more powerful A20 chip, a refined design, and a brighter display.

But if the variable aperture rumor proves true, this won’t just be another upgrade – it could be a turning point in smartphone photography.

The iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max are expected to mark a new era, where Apple moves beyond software and fully harnesses the power of hardware.

If all the predictions come to pass, the iPhone 18 Pro won’t just be known as a great camera phone – it will be remembered as a device that redefined the future of mobile photography.

Hai Phong