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Both iPhone 18 Pro Models Feature Variable Aperture Camera

Apple has revealed at its "Surprise and Shine" event that both iPhone 18 Pro models will be equipped with a variable aperture camera.

variable aperture iphone 18 pro
Prior to this announcement, some rumours suggested that only the iPhone 18 Pro Max would feature a variable aperture lens, but it seems that both models will benefit from the technology.

Apple says it has developed a system of six laser-cut blades, each thinner than a human hair, to create the aperture lens. The blades are made of a specialized polymer composite for the right balance of mass flexibility and durability.

The aperture adjusts automatically based on the scene. When you're in a darker environment, for example, the aperture opens to let in around 50% more light.

It also allows you to capture cinematic mode effects from regular video after you capture, plus it now supports 60 frames per second for a half-speed effect.

"iPhone 18 Pro has a new 48 megapixel fusion main camera with variable aperture for creative control that wasn't possible before," said Apple. "This is the most advanced camera we've ever made."

More details to come...

Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro

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Top Rated Comments

15 hours ago at 10:27 am
Honestly, the most exciting feature I’ve seen in years.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
15 hours ago at 10:35 am

Honestly, the most exciting feature I’ve seen in years.

SAME! I just now need to know what the price of the 18 Pro is gonna be. I've been fine with all old features of the iPhone for a very long time (since iPhone Xs with the FaceID). It was camera that I really wanted improvement, and also battery life. Other than that, I don't care much about the other stuff.
Samsung had variable aperture years ago. No one used it and they took it out after a couple of models.

f/1.48 might actually be an improvement over the old phones
Yep, that's the real feature for me.

It's a phone sensor, variable aperture will make almost no difference in photos on this sensor. MORE light is the real addition.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
contacos Avatar
15 hours ago at 10:34 am

SAME! I just now need to know what the price of the 18 Pro is gonna be. I've been fine with all old features of the iPhone for a very long time (since iPhone Xs with the FaceID). It was camera that I really wanted improvement, and also battery life. Other than that, I don't care much about the other stuff.
It's 1,199$ and 1,299$
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
15 hours ago at 10:29 am
Is it a bigger sensor or not?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
15 hours ago at 10:51 am

Doesn't a variable aperture allow for more or less light? It also affects depth of focus which can be useful for blurring parts of a background.
Yes, which is basically useless on a phone sensor that struggle for light all the time. The entire smartphone industry basically spent the last 20 years trying to get MORE light in it. The ability to get less is kind of pointless if not for very specific photos that 99% of the people will never take.

Same thing for the blur background. It's a physical consequence of the sensor size and phones have very small sensor. You really don't have that much blur that you could want less (again, in very very specific settings).

I love photography, aperture control is vital in taking photos. But even I think it's useless on a phone.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
15 hours ago at 10:29 am
f/1.48 might actually be an improvement over the old phones
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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