Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to feature a variable aperture camera system, reviving a capability that Samsung dropped from its Galaxy phones years ago. A variable aperture allows the camera to adjust the amount of light reaching the sensor using tiny blades, improving performance in both dark and bright environments.

Apple has never implemented variable aperture technology in its iPhone cameras before, with models from iPhone 14 Pro through iPhone 17 Pro all using a fixed aperture of ƒ/1.78. Samsung previously offered this feature on the Galaxy S9 and S10 in 2018 and 2019 but removed it in 2020 due to increased device thickness and cost concerns.

Interestingly, Samsung is reportedly planning to reintroduce variable aperture cameras to follow Apple's lead, viewing it as "necessary to increase camera competitiveness." The company is working with multiple camera module partners to develop thinner, more cost-effective variable aperture systems. Beyond the camera upgrade, the iPhone 18 Pro models are rumored to include a smaller Dynamic Island, the A20 chip, longer battery life, and other enhancements when they launch this fall alongside Apple's first foldable iPhone.