iPhone 18 Pro Brings Back Variable Aperture Samsung Abandoned

Apple is preparing to shake up smartphone photography once again with the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, expected to introduce a camera feature long abandoned by Samsung. Rumors suggest the new iPhones will include a variable aperture main camera, giving users enhanced control over low-light photography and depth of field like never before. This move could redefine mobile photography standards and reignite competition between Apple and Samsung.

What is Variable Aperture and Why It Matters

A variable aperture allows a camera lens to physically adjust how much light hits the sensor. Tiny blades inside the lens open wider in dark environments to capture more light and close in bright settings to prevent overexposure. This also gives photographers more control over depth of field, making subjects pop against blurred backgrounds.

Unlike previous iPhone models, which all use a fixed ƒ/1.78 aperture, the iPhone 18 Pro will let users adapt to varying light conditions dynamically. This innovation could help iPhone users achieve more professional-looking photos without relying solely on software enhancements.

Apple’s First Step into Variable Aperture Cameras

Apple has never implemented a variable aperture in iPhones. According to renowned supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the feature was first confirmed for the iPhone 18 Pro series in late 2024. By October 2025, Apple reportedly finalized plans with suppliers to bring this technology to market, signaling a significant upgrade in mobile photography hardware.

For Apple, this is not just a gimmick—it’s a way to compete more directly with high-end Android cameras and offer features that previously required more expensive camera setups.

Samsung’s History with Variable Aperture

Samsung introduced variable aperture cameras on the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S10 in 2018 and 2019. The feature allowed these devices to adjust light intake for sharper photos in different lighting conditions. However, Samsung removed it in 2020 due to increased device thickness and higher production costs, even though the technology outperformed fixed-aperture lenses.

Other Android manufacturers, including Xiaomi, Honor, and Huawei, have experimented with variable apertures in recent years. Apple’s decision to adopt the technology may now push Samsung to rethink its approach.

Will Samsung Follow Apple Again?

Interestingly, reports suggest that Samsung is considering bringing variable aperture back to its future Galaxy smartphones. The company reportedly sees it as “necessary to increase camera competitiveness” and reduce reliance on software fixes. Samsung has reportedly asked camera module partners to develop new samples, though final implementation remains uncertain.

This back-and-forth could reignite the arms race in smartphone photography, with Apple leading the charge and Samsung racing to catch up.

What This Means for iPhone Users

If Apple succeeds, iPhone 18 Pro owners may experience:

• Improved low-light photography with fewer noise artifacts

• Greater depth-of-field control for professional-looking portraits

• Enhanced flexibility across varied lighting conditions

The inclusion of variable aperture could also mark a milestone for Apple, setting the iPhone apart from competitors in ways that extend beyond software trickery. For enthusiasts and everyday users alike, this upgrade promises a noticeable improvement in everyday photography.

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro series may not just be another iterative upgrade—it could signal a renewed push for camera hardware innovation that even Samsung might be compelled to follow. With rumors solidifying and suppliers working on components, the smartphone photography landscape is poised for an exciting shake-up in 2026.