According to a new report from Chinese leaker Smart Pikachu on Weibo, Apple has reached the sampling stage for its first-ever variable aperture camera system. Beyond just a lens upgrade, the leak suggests that Apple is also evaluating a “teleconverter”—a term usually reserved for high-end DSLR photography for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro.
Unlike current iPhones, which have a fixed aperture, a variable system allows the camera to physically adjust how much light hits the sensor. In bright daylight, the camera can “stop down” (close) the aperture. This allows videographers to maintain a natural motion blur without the image becoming overexposed. By opening the aperture wide, users can achieve a shallow depth of field (blurred background) that is created optically.
In the world of professional cameras, a teleconverter is a secondary lens used to magnify an image, effectively doubling or tripling the reach of a telephoto lens. By pairing a teleconverter with the existing tetraprism (periscope) lens, the iPhone 18 Pro could theoretically reach 10x to 15x optical magnification, rivaling the best “Ultra” flagships on the market.
What do you think of Apple adding DSLR-style hardware to the iPhone? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Stay updated with the latest news on this by downloading the Appleosophy App from the App Store or by visiting our website.
