According to Ming-Chi Kuo’s new report, the iPhone 18 Pro, which is expected to be introduced in September 2026, will be the first model in which Apple uses variable aperture technology in its main camera. Kuo, known for his supply chain information about Apple products, had previously stated that this feature would come with the iPhone 18 Pro. However, a different report claimed that this technology would be introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro in 2025. With his latest statement, Kuo reiterates his initial prediction and states that this information is based on equipment provided by BE Semiconductor.
Variable aperture technology has been used in many Android flagship phones in recent years. This feature allows better photographic results by adjusting the aperture of the camera lens according to different light conditions. It seems that Apple has taken action to integrate this technology into its Pro models. While the company is often known for being slow to adopt new technologies, it has an unrivaled reputation for effectively introducing such innovations to consumers.
Kuo’s report states that Apple will supply mounting equipment for the diaphragm blades from BE Semiconductor for this technology. This information confirms that the variable aperture feature will not be ready until the iPhone 18 Pro. On the other hand, when Apple releases this feature, it is expected to achieve much greater marketing success than Android manufacturers. Similarly, in the past, the company has managed to attract great attention from users by redefining technologies that were first introduced by its competitors.
It is known that Apple generally follows a strategy that aims to “be the best rather than the first”. Although the company has not previously pioneered areas such as Face ID, dual camera systems and high-performance mobile processors, it has effectively introduced these innovations to a wide audience, making them standard in the industry. It can be said that the variable aperture feature is aimed to repeat this scenario.