Apple Introduces Variable Aperture on iPhone 18 Pro Main Camera
Apple has unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, featuring a groundbreaking variable aperture for the first time. This innovative six-blade system allows the main camera to adjust from f/1.8 to f/1.48. Matt Waldon, who oversees Camera & Depth Hardware at Apple, explained that instead of enlarging the sensor—which would take up more space and processing power—they chose a quicker lens with adjustable settings to ensure clarity. Users can select f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8, or f/4, with f/1.8 as the default. Waldon noted potential issues with aberrations at f/1.48 and diffraction at f/4. The slim blades, thinner than human hair, enhance bokeh, while Jeremy Hendricks emphasized the new Pro Controls for creative manual adjustments. Waldon also mentioned Apple's commitment to this technology in future Pro devices.
Key facts
- The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are the first iPhones with a variable aperture main camera
- The main lens moves from f/1.8 to f/1.48
- Users can choose among f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8 and f/4, with f/1.8 as default
- The stepless mechanism uses six laser-cut blades made of a specialized polymer composite, each thinner than a human hair
- Matt Waldon is Senior Director of Camera & Depth Hardware at Apple
- Jeremy Hendricks works on Apple's iPhone Product Marketing team
- New Pro Controls bring manual camera controls into Apple's Camera app for the first time
- Waldon says variable aperture is part of Apple's plan going forward for Pro cameras
Entities
Artists
- Jeremy Hendricks
- Matt Waldon
- Jaron Schneider
- Erin Thomson
Institutions
- Apple
- PetaPixel
Locations
- United States