As the tech world looks ahead to 2026, early supply-chain leaks suggest that Apple is preparing a major upgrade in camera hardware for its upcoming Pro models. The next-generation models, reportedly the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, are expected to feature a mechanical variable-aperture lens for the main camera — a technology typically found in digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras.
According to a report by South Korea’s ET News, both devices will allow the camera to physically adjust its aperture setting — opening wider in dim-light situations to allow more light in, and narrowing in bright conditions to reduce overexposure and preserve detail. This marks a shift from the fixed-aperture design (for example f/1.78) used in recent Pro models, and aims to bring richer image quality across varying lighting environments.
For mobile users, the benefits are considerable. A variable aperture gives more control over depth of field: users can achieve stronger background blur for portrait-style shots, or stop down for sharper landscapes. Improved low-light capture and better detail in bright scenes are also touted advantages. However, implementing this in a slim smartphone body poses engineering challenges — the mechanism must be tiny, efficient and reliable. Apple reportedly is working with suppliers such as Luxshare ICT and Sunny Optical for the actuators that control the aperture mechanism.
It’s worth noting that Apple is not the first smartphone manufacturer to explore variable-aperture systems. For example, Samsung experimented with mechanical aperture on its Galaxy S9 and retained it in the S10 series, though it later phased the feature out due to limited practical gains and cost considerations. Apple’s version, however, is said to be “thinner, more efficient and cost-effective” compared to past implementations.
If the leaks prove accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro series may well raise the bar yet again for mobile photography — blurring the lines between smartphone and traditional camera hardware.