RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesGo to the 9to5Mac home page Switch site 9to5Toys 9to5Google Logo 9to5Google Electrek Drone DJ Logo DroneDJ Space Explored About Privacy Toggle social menu Toggle dark mode Search for: Submit Toggle search form Forums Store Podcasts Apple@Work Happy Hour 9to5Mac Daily Overtime iPhone iPhone Mac Mac MacBook Pro MacBook Air iMac Mac mini Mac Studio Mac Pro iPad iPad Pro iPad Air iPad mini iPad iPadOS Watch Apple Watch Apple Watch Ultra Apple Health Apple Watch SE Vision Vision Pro visionOS Music and TV Apple Music AirPods HomePod Apple TV Guides Reviews How Tos AAPL Apple Store Apple Arcade Apple Card Apple Silicon Apple One Apple Fitness+ CarPlay Siri HomeKit Toggle dark mode iPhone iPhone 18 Pro iPhone 18 Pro Max iPhone 18 Pro: Three new camera upgrades are coming Ryan Christoffel | Aug 11 2026 - 1:18 pm PT 5 Comments iPhone 18 Pro is just a few weeks away , and rumors indicate it could bring an especially noteworthy batch of camera upgrades. Here are the three main camera features currently rumored.
Every year, Apple makes the iPhone’s cameras better in some way or another. Last year with iPhone 17, the new Center Stage front camera was a big highlight, and iPhone 17 Pro gained a much-improved Telephoto lens.
With iPhone 18 Pro, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported that we’re getting “the biggest leap in camera hardware” in some time.
So far, rumors point to three main upgrades:
Variable aperture might be the single biggest new feature, depending on the implementation details. This camera feature has been rumored for years, but it’s unclear exactly how Apple will utilize it in the user experience.
For example, it could enable users to adjust the focus and depth of field for each photo to their liking, opening more stylistic opportunities. Or it might unlock an improved Portrait mode, better low-light shots, improved adaptivity for different types of shots—perhaps all of the above.
The Telephoto camera gaining a larger aperture means it should perform better in low light—a current weakness for that specific lens.
We don’t have details on new software features, but here’s what Aaron Tilley previously reported for The Information :
The camera in Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models will begin to match professional-grade cameras in terms of certain advanced features. As a result, the company is looking to give the built-in camera app on its smartphone an upgrade, people familiar with the effort said. The existing iPhone camera app contains mostly basic controls.
Last year Apple introduced a Dual Capture software feature exclusively on its newest iPhones. It sounds like we may see some Pro-exclusive software additions this year.
Beyond these changes, the Camera Control button is also expected to get revamped this year.
What’s on your camera wishlist for iPhone 18 Pro? Let us know in the comments.
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Ryan got his start in journalism as an Editor at MacStories, where he worked for four years covering Apple news, writing app reviews, and more. For two years he co-hosted the Adapt podcast on Relay FM, which focused entirely on the iPad. As a result, it should come as no surprise that his favorite Apple device is the iPad Pro.
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