All articles tagged with #variable aperture
Rumors say the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will add a variable-aperture main camera, reviving a feature Samsung dropped years ago and potentially improving low-light performance and depth of field; Samsung is reportedly exploring the tech for Galaxy devices, with additional rumored upgrades (smaller Dynamic Island, A20 chip, longer battery life) and a fall launch alongside Apple’s foldable iPhone.
Rumors suggest Apple may bring back a true, continuously adjustable variable aperture with the iPhone 18 Pro around 2026, reviving Samsung's old Galaxy S9/S10 idea of continuous aperture control and potentially delivering better bokeh and exposure—though gains depend on sensor size and processing; Samsung's S26 Ultra and the iPhone 18 Pro are among the potential beneficiaries.
Apple is reportedly testing two major rear-camera upgrades for the iPhone 18 Pro: a main camera with a variable aperture and a telephoto with a larger aperture (with rumors of a teleconverter as well), plus a rumored 24MP front camera; if real, these would mark Apple’s first variable-aperture iPhone camera and could accompany a fall launch alongside a foldable iPhone.
A Chinese rumor claims the iPhone 18 Pro may include a variable-aperture rear camera and a teleconverter in late-stage engineering samples, with a September 2026 launch anticipated. The teleconverter concept would affect light intake on a smartphone, while the variable aperture could improve exposure control for photos and video. Apple is reportedly evaluating features with suppliers, but such components could still be dropped if they don’t meet quality standards. Previous rumors of a variable aperture for the iPhone 17 did not materialize.
Samsung is likely to reintroduce variable aperture technology in its smartphones, possibly with the Galaxy S27 Ultra in 2027, as a response to Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 series and new foldable form factors, with ongoing experiments on foldable screens and camera features.
The upcoming iPhone 18 Pro is expected to feature a major camera upgrade with a variable aperture, enhancing its photographic capabilities.
Xiaomi has launched the 13 Ultra, an upgraded version of the 13 Pro, with a variable aperture main camera sensor that can adjust between f/1.9 and f/4.0. The phone also features a 50-megapixel f/1.8 ultrawide camera, two 50-megapixel Sony IMX858 sensors for telephoto, and Leica optics. The device has a 6.73-inch 120Hz QHD+ AMOLED, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, 12/16GB RAM, and 256/512/1TB of UFS 4.0 storage. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra will be available in black, olive green, and white colors with a synthetic leather finish and is expected to be priced at €1,299.
The Xiaomi 13 Ultra will feature a one-inch main camera with variable aperture technology, allowing users to adjust the aperture from f/1.9 to f/4.0. This feature should address a long-standing issue with large camera sensors and wide apertures, delivering a deep depth of field to keep everything in focus in a scene. The phone is set to launch on April 18 and will have a global release.