Apple brings variable aperture to iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max for sharper low-light photos and more control. LG Innotek and Foxconn will supply key camera parts.
© A. Krivonosov
Apple is preparing to bring a new technology to the iPhone 18 lineup: a variable aperture designed to boost photo quality in any lighting. As expected, the feature will be exclusive to the top-tier models — iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
ETNews reports that Apple has wrapped up the planning phase and is moving toward component commercialization. Production will be handled by LG Innotek and Foxconn, while the actuators for adjusting the aperture will come from Luxshare and Sunny Optical. Earlier, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicated that Largan would act as a secondary supplier, and the Dutch company Besi would manufacture the blades that regulate the aperture opening.
It’s notable that Samsung experimented with variable aperture back in the Galaxy S8 era, but later stepped back due to high costs and added camera thickness. Now Apple may be the one to put the idea back on the agenda — and make it genuinely sought after.
By confining the new technology to the Pro models, the company once again leans on exclusivity and prestige. It’s not only a bid to elevate imaging performance, but also a gentle push encouraging users to opt for the pricier versions of the iPhone.