iPhone 18 Pro: These rumored camera upgrades could launch later this year

Michael Burkhardt | Feb 7 2026 - 3:44 pm PT

While iPhone Fold is certainly the more interesting iPhone launching this fall, the iPhone 18 Pro will always be important for one reason: cameras. iPhone Fold won’t be able to pack a flagship camera experience, so if that’s something you’re after, you’ll have to settle for the “boring” iPhone 18 Pro.

Despite looking similar on the outside though, there’ll be a number of interesting camera upgrades to look forward to.

Variable aperture

Over the past year or so, there have been numerous rumors about Apple introducing a variable aperture lens on at least one of its new iPhone models, likely the Pro Max. That never came to fruition with the iPhone 17 Pro Max, but the rumor is once again in the mill – and its starting to sound more and more likely.

A variable aperture grants the photographer better depth control. Right now, all wide iPhone photos are taken at a fixed focal length of f/1.78. A variable aperture would allow you to narrow your depth of field, potentially giving users more control over the look of their photos.

Ming Chi-Kuo first reported on a variable aperture for iPhone 18 Pro towards the end of the end of 2024:

One major upgrade for the 2026 high-end iPhone 18 is the wide-camera lens upgrading to a variable aperture camera, significantly enhancing the user photography experience.

Now, Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station has reaffirmed that Apple is testing as such, writing that “iPhones are testing a variable aperture main camera + a large aperture telephoto lens.”

It’s unclear if this’ll be available on both iPhone 18 Pro models, or just the Pro Max.

Improved telephoto

As mentioned above, Apple is also working on an improved telephoto lens with a ‘large aperture.’

Currently, iPhone 17 Pro offers a f/2.8 aperture telephoto lens. With an even wider aperture, we could potentially see even better telephoto performance in low light, which the iPhone often struggles with.

We’ll also likely see even shallower depth of field with non-portrait mode shots – though the leaker doesn’t specify how much wider the aperture will be getting.

Wrap up

All in all, if you’re an iPhone camera fan – iPhone 18 Pro is certainly sounding more and more appealing. It’s by no means going to be a massive upgrade (at least, with what we know today) – but with these camera upgrades, a smaller Dynamic Island, and potentially more color options, it won’t be the most stale launch either.

What do you think of iPhones likely gaining a variable aperture? Do these camera upgrades excite you? Let us know in the comments.

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Michael Burkhardt mbrkhrdt

Michael is 9to5Mac’s Weekend Editor, keeping up with all of the latest Apple news on Saturday and Sunday. He got started in the world of Apple news during the pandemic, and it became a growing hobby. He’s also an indie iOS developer in his free time, and has published numerous apps over the years.

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