Apple could debut an upgraded camera with a variable aperture lens in the iPhone 18 Pro in 2026. It remains to be seen if the iPhone 17 Pro Max ships with the next-gen camera tech.
A report by Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that the Apple iPhone 18 Pro lineup could get a significant camera upgrade, featuring a variable aperture lens for the first time – elevating iPhone photography capabilities.
The analyst revealed Apple’s supply chain relationships for the iPhone 17 and iPhone 18 models. Suppliers might be instructed to produce an upgraded wide-angle (primary) camera with a variable aperture lens.
Variable aperture lens:
iPhone 18 Pro will bring significant improvements to low-light photography with a variable aperture lens. The main lens could physically adjust its aperture size (opening) to control the amount of light reaching the camera sensor.
Besides low-light photography, variable aperture camera on iPhone will also unlock better depth of field control, and more versatility across different lighting conditions and environments.
iPhone 17 Pro Max could miss variable aperture camera:
Apple might have canceled the variable aperture camera upgrade for the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Media outlet TheInformation previously hinted at a variable aperture lens on at least one iPhone 17 model in 2025.
The Cupertino firm has a history of avoiding hardware upgrades until proper testing and maturation. It would not make any bold hardware shift in the rush that could potentially put user experience in trouble.
Here’s what Kuo said:
One major upgrade for the 2026 high-end iPhone 18 is the wide-camera lens upgrading to a variable aperture camera, significantly enhancing the user photography experience.
My latest industry survey indicates Sunny Optical will be the primary shutter supplier (with Luxshare as secondary) and the second variable aperture lens supplier (after Largan Precision).
