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iPhone 18 Pro Max May Be the Only Model to Get Variable Aperture Camera, Tipster Claims

iPhone 18 Pro Max May Be the Only Model to Get Variable Aperture Camera, Tipster Claims

The iPhone 18 Pro Max could become Apple’s first smartphone to feature variable aperture camera technology.

Written by Shaurya Tomer, Edited by Ketan Pratap | Updated: 19 August 2026 09:49 IST

iPhone 18 Pro Max May Be the Only Model to Get Variable Aperture Camera, Tipster Claims

Apple upgraded the telephoto camera on the iPhone 17 Pro models, without changing the aperture

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Highlights

iPhone 18 Pro Max may be the only model with variable aperture
The Pro Max model could be heavier due to the camera mechanism
Variable aperture technology allows control over image exposure

The iPhone 18 series is expected to be just a couple of months away, and leaks about Apple's next-generation smartphones are now surfacing rapidly. For months now, it has been rumoured that the iPhone 18 Pro models could bring about a major camera upgrade, thanks to the introduction of variable aperture technology. A tipster, however, now claims that only one of the models may be equipped with a variable aperture camera. It may feature sensor upgrades, too.

iPhone 18 Pro Max May Get Variable Aperture Camera

According to a Weibo post by tipster Ice Universe (translated from Chinese), Apple could make the variable aperture camera exclusive to the iPhone 18 Pro Max. While the tipster stopped short of revealing additional details about the component, it was suggested that its the sensor's physical size could be one of the reasons why it may only be accommodated on Apple's larger Pro model.

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If true, it would make the iPhone 18 Pro Max Apple's first smartphone to feature this technology.

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The Cupertino-based tech giant will reportedly only offer top-tier imaging in a handset that could weigh as much as a “brick”, the tipster added. This suggests that the purported smartphone could be heavier than its predecessor, with the inclusion of the variable aperture camera resulting in the trade-off.

Generally, a variable aperture mechanism allows a camera to physically adjust the amount of light entering the sensor. This potentially provides users with greater control over exposure and depth of field.

Several OEMs have already tried their hand at this technology. Samsung introduced a variable aperture for the main camera back in 2018 with the Galaxy S9 series, but dropped it in the subsequent generations due to space constraints and rising costs.

Previous reports had claimed that Apple is testing such a system for the primary camera of the iPhone 18 Pro models. The tipster's latest claims, however, suggest that only the iPhone 18 Pro Max could get the feature. Apart from this, both Pro iPhone models are also expected to get an upgraded telephoto camera with a larger aperture.

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Further reading: iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone 18 Pro Specifications, iPhone 18 Pro Max Specifications

Shaurya Tomer

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Shaurya Tomer is a Sub Editor at Gadgets 360 with 2 years of experience across a diverse spectrum of topics. With a particular focus on smartphones, gadgets and the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), he often likes to explore the industry's intricacies and innovations – whether dissecting the latest smartphone release or exploring the ethical implications of AI advancements. In his free time, he often embarks on impromptu road trips to unwind, recharge, and ...More