Apple has begun preparing for the production of key components for the flagship iPhone 18 Pro lineup, including a new camera system with a variable aperture. This was reported by 9to5Mac, citing industry sources.

What Is Known About the New Feature

The Chinese company Sunny Optical has already started producing actuators—special mechanisms that will physically control the size of the aperture in the lenses. Assembly of full camera modules, according to sources, is expected to begin closer to summer with the participation of LG Innotek.

A variable aperture will allow users to control depth of field in photographs directly. This will make it possible to:

  • Create attractive background blur (bokeh effect) for portrait shots;
  • Keep all objects in a scene fully sharp—for example, when shooting landscapes or architecture.

Previously, Apple simulated changes in depth of field mainly through software algorithms. Now the company is moving to a physical solution that is expected to significantly improve mobile photography quality.

A Long Path to Implementation

The idea of equipping the iPhone with a variable aperture camera has been discussed in the industry for several years. However, only now have sufficiently strong indications appeared that the technology will indeed be implemented in the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models.

Experts note that due to the relatively small size of smartphone sensors, the effect of a variable aperture may be less pronounced than in professional cameras. Nevertheless, this represents an important step forward for mobile photography.

In Brief

Apple has begun producing components for a variable aperture camera for the iPhone 18 Pro. The Chinese company Sunny Optical is already manufacturing actuators to control the aperture, and module assembly is expected to begin in summer. The new technology will make it possible to physically control depth of field—from strong background blur to complete sharpness across the entire scene. Although the effect may be limited by sensor size, this will represent a noticeable improvement in shooting quality in the flagship models of 2026.