According to 9to5Mac reports, “One of the biggest changes to the iPhone 18 Pro’s camera system will be the debut of a variable-aperture main camera, in contrast to the current fixed-aperture design.”
As per supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple may replace the fixed f/1.78 aperture that is currently being used on recent iPhone models.
Instead, the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max will come with a variable aperture system, which will allow the camera to adjust the amount of light entering the sensor depending on the scene and lighting conditions.
This variable aperture technology is commonly seen in professional cameras. This new feature can help improve depth control, low-light photography and exposure management. It is expected to provide users with more flexibility while shooting videos and portraits.
Camera upgrades hint at price increase
As per the report, Chinese supplier Sunny Optical could handle nearly half of Apple’s order for the new lens component, and the upgraded camera module is expected to cost nearly 50% more than the one expected to be used in the iPhone 17 Pro series.
The higher production cost may create pressure on Apple’s pricing strategy. Although reports suggest that the company is trying to avoid price increases, expensive components and industry-wide hardware costs may make that difficult. The component cost increase came at a time when Apple is already dealing with rising memory costs that are putting pressure on its margins.
More camera upgrades expected in future iPhones
Beyond iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, the report also shared that Apple is also planning another major camera redesign for future iPhones. According to Kuo, the future model, which will possibly arrive in 2028, may feature a redesigned ultra-wide camera module using chip-on-board packaging technology.
This change could help Apple make camera components thinner and improve internal space management. So far, Apple has not officially confirmed any details related to the iPhone 18 Pro series.
