Apple Unveils Variable Aperture System in iPhone 18 Pro for Better Photography
iFixit’s teardown revealed a groundbreaking feature in the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max: a variable aperture camera system controlled by tiny magnets.
How the variable aperture works
The mechanism uses six ultra‑thin blades, resembling leaf petals, that shift via small electromagnets to adjust the opening size based on lighting conditions. Microscopic images show the blades are about as thin as a human hair, enabling precise exposure control.
Additional hardware upgrades
Beyond the camera, both models sport larger vapor‑chamber cooling systems that cover a broader portion of the rear chassis, improving heat dissipation. The U.S. iPhone 18 Pro Max also differs in its modem, employing Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75 instead of Apple’s in‑house C2 chip used in other variants.
Technical context
This marks Apple’s first implementation of a variable aperture, a major leap for smartphone photography that gives users finer control in varied lighting scenarios.
Repairability remains consistent with a score of 7 out of 10, matching the iPhone 17 Pro.
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