iPhone 18 Pro Camera Upgrade Tipped: Apple Testing Variable Camera Improvement

By: Ajay Ajay

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Updated on: 09-Feb-2026

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Key Highlights

• Apple is testing major camera upgrades for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup
• Variable aperture tipped for the first time on an iPhone
• Improved telephoto camera with a larger aperture expected
• iPhone 18 Pro models may launch in September, standard iPhone 18 in 2027
• Leak backed by tipster Digital Chat Station and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo

iPhone 18 Pro Camera Upgrades: What’s Changing?

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are shaping up to be a notable leap in mobile photography. According to fresh leaks, the company is experimenting with advanced camera hardware that could give users more creative control and better low-light performance.

Variable Aperture Camera Under Testing

A Weibo post by tipster Digital Chat Station suggests that Apple is testing a variable aperture primary camera sensor for the iPhone 18 Pro models.

In simple terms, a variable aperture allows the camera to:

• Control how much light enters the sensor
• Improve depth-of-field effects (natural background blur)
• Adjust exposure more precisely in bright and low-light scenes

If introduced, this would mark the first time Apple uses variable aperture technology on an iPhone.

Not New to Smartphones, But New for Apple

While this tech would be new for Apple, it’s not entirely new to smartphones. Samsung introduced variable aperture back in 2018 with the Galaxy S9 series, but later dropped it due to design complexity and cost constraints.

Apple’s renewed interest hints at better miniaturisation and improved hardware efficiency in 2026-era devices.

Telephoto Camera Also Set for an Upgrade

Beyond the main sensor, Apple is also reportedly working on a new telephoto camera for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup.

Expected improvements include:

• Larger aperture for better light intake
• Improved background separation
• Reduced noise in zoomed photos
• Better performance in indoor and night photography

For reference, the iPhone 17 Pro models feature a 48MP telephoto camera with an f/2.8 aperture, and leaks suggest Apple may finally move beyond this limitation.

Analyst Insight Backs Camera Overhaul

Well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has previously stated that the iPhone 18 Pro models could deliver significantly improved image quality, mainly due to the adoption of variable aperture technology.

At the supply-chain level:

• BE Semiconductor (BESI) is tipped to supply aperture blade assembly equipment
• These components are essential for enabling variable aperture systems in compact smartphone cameras

This adds further credibility to the leak.

Expected Launch Timeline

• iPhone 18 Pro & iPhone 18 Pro Max: Expected in September (year yet to be officially confirmed)
• Standard iPhone 18: Reportedly pushed to 2027, indicating a staggered release strategy

If accurate, this would mark a major shift in Apple’s iPhone launch cycle.

What This Means for iPhone Users

If Apple goes ahead with these upgrades, the iPhone 18 Pro series could:

• Offer DSLR-like depth control without software tricks
• Deliver clearer zoom shots in challenging lighting
• Narrow the camera feature gap between iPhones and premium Android flagships

For photography-focused users, this could be one of Apple’s most meaningful camera upgrades in years.

Comparos Says

Apple appears to be preparing a serious camera-focused refresh with the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. Variable aperture technology and an improved telephoto lens suggest the brand is aiming to deliver more natural-looking photos rather than relying only on computational photography. If these upgrades make it to final production, the iPhone 18 Pro could set a new benchmark for smartphone imaging.