Apple iPhone 18 Pro Tipped To Feature Variable Aperture Cameras, Here's What We Know

This advancement is made possible with aperture blade assembly equipment supplied by BE Semiconductor (BESI).

Variable aperture technology allows users to adjust the amount of light entering the lens, providing greater control over image exposure.

Source : Unsplash/Rebecca Harris

Apple introduced its iPhone 16 series just two months ago, yet rumours about the upcoming iPhone 17 and even the iPhone 18 lineup, expected to debut in 2026, are already making waves. Notably, renowned TF Securities International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has speculated that the iPhone 18 series will feature cutting-edge camera technology. According to Kuo, Apple may incorporate a variable aperture lens into the iPhone 18 lineup, significantly enhancing image quality.

In a Medium post, Kuo elaborated on his prediction for the iPhone 18 Pro models, suggesting they will be the first Apple devices equipped with a variable aperture camera. This advancement is made possible with aperture blade assembly equipment supplied by BE Semiconductor (BESI). Variable aperture technology allows users to adjust the amount of light entering the lens, providing greater control over image exposure.

While this feature has been present in Android devices like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra and Honor Magic 7 Pro, and even earlier in Samsung’s Galaxy S9 series in 2018, its inclusion in the iPhone 18 Pro could mark a significant leap in Apple’s camera innovation.

According to Kuo, Apple’s M5 series chips will leverage TSMC’s cutting-edge N3P node technology. The production timeline indicates that mass production for the M5 chips is slated for the first half of 2025, followed by the M5 Pro and Max chips in the latter half of the year, and the M5 Ultra in 2026. Additionally, the M5 Pro, Max, and Ultra are expected to utilize advanced SoIC packaging to enhance performance.

Apple Face ID In iPhone 17?

Meanwhile, earlier leaks have hinted at exciting upgrades for the iPhone 17 lineup. Apple is reportedly set to introduce under-display Face ID technology in the iPhone 17 series. The Pro models are rumoured to feature the powerful A19 Pro chip coupled with 12GB of RAM, while the standard iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air might run on an A18 or A19 chip with 8GB of RAM.

All four models could come equipped with 24-megapixel front-facing cameras. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are also expected to include a 5x periscope telephoto lens, offering enhanced optical zoom capabilities.