iPhone 18 Pro to Bring Back Feature Samsung Abandoned
▼ Summary
– The iPhone 18 Pro models are widely rumored to feature a new main camera with a variable aperture, a first for iPhones.
– A variable aperture physically adjusts the lens opening to control light and depth of field, improving photo quality in different lighting.
– Samsung previously used this technology but dropped it around 2020 due to increased device thickness and cost.
– Samsung is now reportedly planning to reintroduce variable apertures, seeing it as necessary to compete with Apple’s camera advancements.
– Beyond the camera, other rumored iPhone 18 Pro features include a smaller Dynamic Island, the A20 chip, and a fall launch alongside a foldable iPhone.
The upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are generating significant buzz for a potential camera upgrade that marks a notable shift in Apple’s strategy. Industry whispers strongly suggest these models will introduce a variable aperture for the main camera, a hardware feature that Apple has never before included in an iPhone. This move would see Apple reviving a technology that its chief rival, Samsung, famously abandoned several years ago on its flagship Galaxy devices.
An aperture functions as the adjustable opening in a camera lens, governing how much light is permitted to reach the image sensor. The ability to physically alter this opening, known as a variable aperture, provides substantial photographic advantages. In low-light scenarios, the aperture can widen to capture more light, while in bright conditions, it can narrow to prevent images from becoming washed out. This hardware control also grants users more precision over the depth of field, allowing for more artistic separation between a sharp subject and a softly blurred background.
Currently, iPhones from the 14 Pro through to the latest 17 Pro models utilize a fixed aperture. Their main cameras operate at a constant ƒ/1.78 setting, with the lens permanently fully open. The shift to a variable system would represent a major hardware evolution. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo first indicated this change was in the works in late 2024, with subsequent supply chain reports in 2025 confirming Apple’s active development and component discussions for the next-generation iPhones.
Samsung previously pioneered this feature in the smartphone space, integrating it into the Galaxy S9 and S10 series back in 2018 and 2019. However, the company decided to remove it starting in 2020. The decision was primarily driven by the component’s impact on device thickness and manufacturing costs, leading Samsung to revert to fixed-aperture cameras despite the technical trade-offs. The feature has since appeared on other high-end Android phones from manufacturers like Xiaomi, Honor, and Huawei.
In a fascinating turn of events, Samsung now appears poised to follow Apple’s lead and reintroduce the technology. Reports indicate that Samsung views hardware-based variable apertures as essential for maintaining camera competitiveness, moving beyond software-based simulations to genuine optical control. The company is reportedly engaging multiple camera module partners to develop new, potentially slimmer and more cost-effective variable aperture systems for future Galaxy devices, signaling a strong commitment to the feature’s return.
Beyond the camera, the iPhone 18 Pro lineup is anticipated to pack a host of other upgrades. Rumors point to a smaller Dynamic Island, the next-generation A20 chip, improved battery longevity, and the new C2 cellular modem. Additional expected features include a streamlined Camera Control button and the advanced N1 wireless chip. These models are slated for a fall launch, potentially alongside Apple’s first foray into the foldable iPhone market.
(Source: Mac Rumors)
