TL; DR
- A new leak suggests the iPhone 18 Pro series could feature a significantly larger camera module, making the rear camera bump around 2mm thicker.
- The increased size is reportedly linked to Apple’s first variable aperture system on an iPhone.
- Apple may also pair the new aperture mechanism with a larger image sensor.
Apple could be preparing one of the biggest camera hardware upgrades in years for the iPhone 18 Pro series. According to a Chinese tipster, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a noticeably larger main camera module than their predecessors. The leak claims the camera bump could grow by roughly 2mm, making it substantially thicker than the one found on the iPhone 17 Pro series.
The larger module is reportedly needed to accommodate a variable aperture system on the primary camera. Unlike current iPhones, which use a fixed aperture, a variable aperture system can physically adjust how much light enters the camera sensor. In bright conditions, the lens can stop down to reduce the amount of incoming light and improve sharpness across the frame. In darker environments, it can open wider to capture more light, potentially improving low-light photography.
Some reports also suggest Apple could pair the new aperture mechanism with a larger image sensor, which would further explain the increase in the size of the camera module.
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The move, however, could raise questions about close-range photography. One area where recent iPhones have lagged behind several Android flagships is minimum focusing distance on the main camera. The iPhone 17 Pro’s primary sensor requires subjects to be around 25cm away to achieve focus, whereas many competing Android devices can focus at much shorter distances.
Adding a mechanical aperture system could complicate lens design further, although it’s still far too early to know how Apple’s implementation will behave.
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