iPhone 18 Pro Max may get exclusive camera upgrade
Apple will introduce a variable aperture only in the Pro Max (photo: Unsplash)
Apple is preparing an unpleasant surprise for those who don't want a large iPhone. The variable aperture, which has long been anticipated for the Pro models, may become exclusive to the iPhone 18 Pro Max, according to MacRumors.
Leak details
A well-known insider operating under the alias Ice Universe stated on Weibo that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will exclusively receive the variable aperture.
According to him, users will have to come to terms with the greater weight and dimensions of the device for the sake of uncompromising shooting quality.
The information is corroborated by a June leak of internal documents from Apple's Indian supplier, Tata Electronics.
The files mention that the flagship will feature a new Sony IMX905 sensor with support for a physical aperture adjustment, while the smaller iPhone 18 Pro model does not appear in the documents at all.
What will the variable aperture change?
Starting with the iPhone 14 Pro and through the iPhone 17 Pro, Apple has used a fixed ƒ/1.78 aperture that remains fully open in all conditions.
The introduction of a moving mechanism would allow for:
- Control over depth of field: physically adjusting background blur (bokeh effect) without relying on software algorithms.
- Improved sharpness: adapting the aperture to bright daylight or complex shooting scenarios, much like full-frame DSLR cameras.
- More precise focusing: avoiding blur when shooting groups of people or close‑up subjects by narrowing the lens opening.
The last time Apple differentiated cameras between flagship models was with the iPhone 15 Pro, when only the Pro Max version received a tetraprism telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom.
The official announcement of the iPhone 18 lineup is expected next month, alongside the company's first foldable smartphone – the iPhone Ultra.
