iPhone 18 Pro Max said to get exclusive feature that no iPhone ever offered

The iPhone 18 Pro Max could get a variable aperture camera, a feature Apple has never offered on an iPhone before. A new leak suggests the upgrade may be exclusive to the larger Pro model.

In Short

• iPhone 18 Pro Max may get variable aperture camera
• The feature could remain exclusive to Pro Max
• The new camera may offer greater photography control

Apple may be planning a bigger gap between its two Pro iPhones next year, and the difference could come down to the camera. According to fresh claims from a Chinese leaker, the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max could arrive with a variable aperture camera system, a feature that has never appeared on any iPhone before. More interestingly, the feature may be reserved exclusively for the larger Pro Max model, leaving the smaller iPhone 18 Pro without it.

The latest claim comes from Chinese tipster Ice Universe, who said on Weibo that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will “exclusively feature a variable aperture.” If accurate, it would be one of the biggest camera differentiators between Apple's Pro models in recent years.

Apple has long offered similar camera hardware across its Pro iPhones, with only a few exceptions. One notable example was the iPhone 15 series, where the Pro Max received a tetraprism telephoto lens that was not available on the smaller Pro model.

What is a variable aperture camera?

For years, iPhones have relied on fixed apertures. That means the camera lens remains at the same opening size while taking photos, regardless of the shooting conditions. Current Pro iPhones, including the latest generation, use a fixed main camera aperture.

A variable aperture system changes that. It allows the camera to adjust how much light enters the lens by altering the size of the opening. In traditional photography, this gives photographers greater control over depth of field, background blur, and image sharpness.

If Apple brings the feature to the iPhone 18 Pro Max, users could potentially have more control over portrait-style effects and low-light photography. Whether Apple allows manual adjustment or handles everything automatically through software remains unclear.

Earlier leaks hinted at the upgrade

Rumours about a variable aperture camera on the iPhone 18 lineup have been circulating for nearly two years. Earlier reports suggested both Pro models could receive the feature. However, a leak earlier this year reportedly revealed internal information from Apple supplier Tata Electronics, indicating that the iPhone 18 Pro Max would use a new Sony IMX905 camera sensor with support for variable aperture technology. The smaller Pro model was not mentioned in those documents, though it was not immediately clear whether that meant the feature was absent or simply omitted from the leak.

Apart from the camera upgrade, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is also rumoured to be slightly larger and heavier than its predecessor. Otherwise, both Pro models are expected to share most of their specifications.

As with all pre-launch leaks, the information should be taken with a pinch of salt until Apple makes an official announcement. Industry watchers expect Apple to unveil the iPhone 18 series in September. While some previous rumours had pointed to September 8 for the launch event, other predictions strongly suggest the keynote could take place on September 9. Since nothing is confirmed, you can stay tuned to India Today Tech for all the updates on the upcoming iPhones.

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