iPhone 18 Pro: These rumored camera upgrades could launch later this year

Source: 9to5Mac

While the iPhone Fold is certainly the more interesting iPhone launching this fall, the iPhone 18 Pro will always be important for one reason: cameras. The iPhone Fold won’t be able to pack a flagship camera experience, so if that’s something you’re after, you’ll have to settle for the “boring” iPhone 18 Pro.

Despite looking similar on the outside, there will be a number of interesting camera upgrades to look forward to.

Variable aperture

Over the past year or so, there have been numerous rumors about Apple introducing a variable‑aperture lens on at least one of its new iPhone models, likely the Pro Max. That never came to fruition with the iPhone 17 Pro Max, but the rumor is once again in the mill and is starting to sound more likely.

A variable aperture grants the photographer better depth control. Right now, all wide iPhone photos are taken at a fixed focal length of f/1.78. A variable aperture would allow you to narrow your depth of field, potentially giving users more control over the look of their photos.

Ming‑Chi Kuo first reported a variable aperture for the iPhone 18 Pro toward the end of 2024:

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.

Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station has reaffirmed that Apple is testing this, writing that “iPhones are testing a variable aperture main camera + a large aperture telephoto lens.” It’s unclear if this will be available on both iPhone 18 Pro models or just the Pro Max.

Improved telephoto

Apple is also working on an improved telephoto lens with a “large aperture.”

The iPhone 17 Pro currently offers an f/2.8 aperture telephoto lens. With an even wider aperture, we could see better telephoto performance in low light—a scenario where iPhones have traditionally struggled. We’ll also likely see shallower depth of field in non‑portrait shots, though the leaker does not specify how much wider the aperture will be.

Wrap up

All in all, if you’re an iPhone camera fan, the iPhone 18 Pro is sounding more and more appealing. It’s not a massive upgrade (based on what we know today), but with these camera improvements, a smaller Dynamic Island, and potentially more color options, it won’t be the most stale launch either.