iPhone 18 Pro Said to Feature Variable-Aperture Main Camera

A series of reports from supply chain analysts and tech leakers suggest that Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, expected to launch in September 2026, will include a variable-aperture main camera lens. This feature would be a first for an iPhone.

A variable aperture allows the camera lens to mechanically adjust its opening size, controlling light and depth-of-field.

What a Variable Aperture Does

A variable aperture allows the camera lens to mechanically adjust its opening size. This controls the amount of light reaching the sensor, which can improve low-light performance and depth-of-field control (e.g., creating a blurred background effect).

Current iPhone Pro models, from the iPhone 14 Pro to the iPhone 17 Pro, use a fixed aperture of ƒ/1.78.

Supply Chain Reports

Multiple sources have provided details on the components and suppliers for this potential upgrade.

Component Manufacturing

According to a report by ET News, China's Sunny Optical has begun manufacturing actuators for the variable-aperture lens. These actuators are used to control the iris of the camera lens. The same report states that LG Innotech is expected to begin manufacturing the complete camera modules using these components by June or July of 2026.

Supplier and Cost

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Sunny Optical is expected to supply 40–50% of the variable-aperture lens orders for the iPhone 18 Pro models, with Largan remaining the primary supplier.

Kuo also noted that the variable-aperture lens system has an average selling price approximately 50% higher than the seven-element plastic lens used in the iPhone 17 Pro's main camera. This cost increase occurs alongside rising memory costs, which are reportedly affecting Apple's margins.

Other Camera Upgrades Under Evaluation

The Weibo-based leaker "Digital Chat Station," who has more than three million followers, stated that Apple has implementation plans for four camera upgrades.

• Variable Aperture: This feature is widely rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models.
• Future Evaluations: The other three upgrades are reportedly under evaluation for models beyond the iPhone 18 Pro, with no clear launch timeline. These include:
  • A 1/1.12-inch main camera sensor (a legacy optical format designation, with a diagonal of approximately 14.5mm).
  • Enhanced optical image stabilization for the ultra-wide lens.
  • A 200-megapixel periscope telephoto lens. Digital Chat Station stated this component is unlikely to appear in an iPhone before 2028.

Future Technology & Other Developments

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported on additional developments related to Apple and Sunny Optical:

• Ultra-Wide Camera (2028): For iPhones expected in 2028, the ultra-wide camera module is expected to shift to an improved chip-on-board (COB) design. Sunny Optical is positioned to become a supplier for this component.
• MacBook Neo: Sunny Optical has become a new compact camera module (CCM) supplier for Apple, initially producing the camera for the MacBook Neo. Kuo doubled his 2026 shipment forecast for the MacBook Neo to 10 million units.
• OpenAI Devices: Sunny Optical has secured component orders for two devices from OpenAI: a smartphone and a pocket or mobile device.

Source Credibility

The information regarding Apple's plans originates from multiple sources, including the supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and the leaker Digital Chat Station.

Digital Chat Station has a track record of accurately revealing Apple-related information, such as the design of the iPhone 17 Pro models. Kuo's reports often contain details based on supply chain checks. Apple has not officially commented on these reports.