A new post from a reputable Weibo leak source highlights four new camera updates that Apple is developing. At least one of these updates is expected to come with the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.

Variable Aperture and Three Additional Camera Updates on iPhone 18 Pro

The Weibo leak source Digital Chat Station shared an update today regarding four updates being developed for iPhone cameras.

For the iPhone 18 Pro, the addition of a variable aperture lens is expected.

Some reports suggested that this feature might be exclusive to the Pro Max model, so it’s nice to hear that the iPhone 18 Pro will also include the variable aperture update.

This feature is expected to provide more control over the depth of field (DoF) in your photos. My colleague Ben provides helpful examples:

When you want to isolate an object from the background, you can achieve a shallow DoF that still makes the background recognizable, or you can achieve a medium DoF when you want isolation, or a deep DoF when you want everything in focus.

Probably, the iOS 27 Camera app will offer intuitive controls that make adjusting the depth of field easy and user-friendly.

Beyond the variable aperture, Digital Chat Station also mentions three additional camera updates that are in development.

They are not expected to be released this year, but an improvement is coming for each camera:

  • Main Camera: 1/1.12″ extra-large sensor
  • Ultra Wide: Improved OIS (optical image stabilization)
  • Telephoto: 200MP periscope lens

While the timing of all these additions is uncertain, based on the leak source's strong track record, this is likely a fairly accurate roadmap for future iPhone camera improvements.

What new camera features would you like to see on the iPhone 18 Pro? Let us know in the comments.