See for yourself the difference the wider aperture of the iPhone 18 Pro makes
Alongside a variable aperture lens, the main camera of the iPhone 18 Pro also opens up to a wider aperture than its predecessors. Apple has been promoting this as enabling a shallower depth of field for portraits and similar shots. The difference, however, is less than a stop, and it’s been unclear how much real life difference this would make on such a small sensor, so I set out to put it to the…
The main camera of the iPhone 18 Pro possesses a wider aperture compared to its predecessors, enabling a shallower depth of field in portrait shots. Apple promotes this feature as enhancing the separation between the subject and the background. However, the aperture difference is minimal, amounting to less than a stop. To verify this, I conducted a test using the iPhone 18 Pro's manual controls to capture the same portrait twice – once at the standard f/1.78 and another at the wider f/1.48 aperture.
Eliminating other optical variables, such as focal length, framing, and distance, the sole differing factor is the aperture itself. Consequently, any observed differences in background blur are solely attributable to the wider aperture. The test shots predominantly feature head-and-shoulder portraits, as this is the type of photograph most commonly enhanced by wide apertures.
By positioning oneself close enough to capture both the subject and the background, the degree of background blur is maximized for comparisons. The test images also include graduated backgrounds to demonstrate how focus recedes with distance. Comparing the f/1.78 aperture and f/1.48 shots reveals that the wider aperture substantially improves the separation between the subject and the background.
For example, the person eating in the restaurant and the building at the top-right of the subject's head are more distinctly separated in the wider aperture image. Although the difference may not be immediately noticeable to everyone, it is perceptible when actively looking for it. The wider aperture's benefits extend beyond portrait photography.
In certain situations, manual control over the variable aperture can be advantageous. The iPhone 18 Pro's wider aperture is one of several features that set it apart, and further details will be explored in a subsequent report. Share your observations and opinions regarding the test results and the potential advantages of the wider aperture in the comments section.
Written by urgent.news from 9to5Mac's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
