iPhone 18 Pro Gains Manual Aperture, Shutter Speed Controls, and More

Apple unveiled Pro Controls, a customizable camera interface for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. This interface empowers users to manually adjust aperture, shutter speed, and white balance, as well as view their exposure levels through a live histogram. The Pro Controls system hinges on the variable aperture of the main camera, featuring six laser-cut blades that move between four settings.

Users can either rely on automatic aperture adjustments by the Camera app or opt for manual control to capture uniquely distinct photos, previously unattainable on an iPhone.

Pro Controls extends its functionality to both photo and video capture. Moreover, it introduces Smart Focus Tracking, leveraging on-device AI models to maintain focus on subjects even if they momentarily exit the frame and reappear. This new interface complements broader camera enhancements on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, such as a revamped computational imaging pipeline, updated Photographic Styles with added texture and grain controls, and the capacity to apply Cinematic effects to video captured at up to 60 frames per second.

The variable aperture feature is also accessible to developers through a new API, granting third-party apps access to the diverse range of aperture settings. The iPhone 18 Pro is priced starting at $1,199, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max begins at $1,299. Pre-orders commence on September 12 and will be available for purchase starting September 18.