Apple added a new periscope telephoto lens to the iPhone 15 Pro Max last year and later included it in the iPhone 16 Pro. This is just one way that Apple, known for taking its time with new tech, has adopted certain features later than other smartphone brands.
Now, it looks like Apple might be planning another big camera update. Rumors suggest that the iPhone 18 series could come with a variable aperture camera—something that Samsung introduced back in 2018 with its Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus. Since then, other smartphone makers, like Xiaomi with its Xiaomi 14 Pro and Xiaomi 14 Ultra, have used this feature in their top models.
This new feature is expected to be available only on the iPhone 18 Pro models, which would continue Apple’s trend of giving the Pro models extra features that the standard models don’t have.
A variable aperture could improve the iPhone’s camera performance in big ways. Even though it didn’t give Samsung a major advantage when they tried it, Apple might have a different impact by making careful improvements to it. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who often shares reliable Apple news, this feature could arrive in 2026 with the iPhone 18 series.
If you’re not sure what a variable aperture is, it’s basically a camera feature that allows the lens opening to adjust. This lets more or less light reach the camera sensor, which is especially helpful in different lighting conditions.
In low-light settings, for example, a variable aperture can help the camera capture clearer photos. It can also provide better control over the blur effect in the background (known as depth of field) when there’s enough light. This feature is common in professional DSLR cameras and some high-end Android phones.
Apple’s choice to work with an Android camera supplier shows how technology often crosses between different platforms and brands.
Additionally, Apple may be considering Samsung as a new supplier for camera sensors, which could mean that Sony, Apple’s current exclusive supplier, might not be the only one anymore.
For those who don’t want to wait until the iPhone 18 series, which is expected to release around 2027, the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro series could still be a strong option. It’s likely to include a faster chip, possibly more memory to support advanced on-device AI features, and a 48MP telephoto lens for sharper zoomed-in photos.
