Next iPhone 18 Pro May Capture Photos Like a DSLR Camera
iPhone 18 Pro leaks point to a variable aperture camera — Apple’s biggest leap yet toward DSLR-style photography in smartphones.
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According to reports, Apple is preparing to make a significant change in camera technology with its iPhone 18 Pro series that is scheduled for a launch in September 2026. New leaks indicate the forthcoming Pro variants may come with variable aperture lenses, which would be a substantial step forward in phone photography.
Digital Chat Station, a renowned source, disclosed that iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max might sport a 48MP Fusion camera with variable aperture — a first for an iPhone device. Not only that, but the rumor also suggests larger apertures for the primary and telephoto sensors, which means more light capture and superior photo quality even in tricky lighting situations.
The working of a variable aperture system is such that it changes the size of the lens opening according to the type of scene. In a dim light situation, it allows more light to enter by becoming wider, while in a bright situation, it becomes smaller so as to avoid overexposure. With this decision, the users come to have control over the depth of field; they can either sharply isolate the subjects or make a background blur that looks like the one created by DSLR cameras.
Up to now, Apple’s premium iPhones (i.e., iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro) have continued with a fixed ƒ/1.78 aperture on the primary lens. This particular aspect decreases the versatility required in case of changing light conditions. The use of variable apertures would offer a level of professional control thus bridging the gap between the use of cameras attached to smartphones and conventional cameras.
The idea is not completely unheard of in Apple's future inventions list. Well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had previously predicted that Apple would be offering the capability in the iPhone 18 lineup, having chosen not to include it in the iPhone 17 series.
Should the leaks be accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro models might set new standards in mobile photography, granting almost a DSLR-like experience along with the features of changeable aperture and superior image clarity. Until there is a formal announcement, Apple fans might need to be patient until the fall of 2026 to witness the firm's subsequent major breakthrough in the field of photography technology.
