{
  "id": 8221704,
  "title": "iPhone 18 Pro: Using the New Variable Aperture Lens",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/iphone-18-pro-using-the-new-variable-aperture-lens",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-18T07:44:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MacRumors",
    "slug": "macrumors",
    "url": "https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/iphone-18-pro-using-variable-aperture/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models of Apple's latest flagship smartphones introduce several enhancements, among them a new variable aperture lens on the main camera. Aperture refers to the opening in a lens through which light passes onto the camera's sensor, influencing exposure and depth of field. A wider aperture allows more light to enter, resulting in better low-light performance, reduced shutter speed, and a shallower depth of field. However, a wider aperture can also increase the likelihood of image blur if the shutter remains open for longer periods.\n\nTo address this, the iPhone 18 Pro models incorporate a variable aperture ranging from f/1.48 to f/4.0, up from the fixed f/1.78 aperture found in previous models. This variable aperture enables the camera to automatically adjust the amount of light entering the lens based on the specific shot, balancing exposure and minimizing the risk of blur. The range of 50 percent better low-light performance and optical control over depth of field marks a significant leap in camera capabilities for the iPhone lineup.\n\nPhotographers now have the option to either allow the iPhone 18 Pro to handle the variable aperture automatically or manually control it. To manually adjust the aperture, users simply tap the button containing six dots at the bottom-right corner of the Camera app. From there, they can select one of the four aperture options (f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8, and f/4.0) using the control pane. For hands-off shooting, users can tap the Auto button to revert to automatic control.\n\nExperimenting with different aperture settings can yield intriguing results. For instance, the lower f/1.48 setting offers a shallow depth of field, while the higher f/4.0 setting maintains more elements in focus. It's worth noting that a lower f-number indicates a wider aperture, allowing more light to reach the sensor and enabling faster shutter speeds and shallower depth of field. Conversely, a higher f-number signifies a smaller aperture, letting in less light but increasing the scene's overall focus. This feature is particularly useful for capturing landscape photos and group shots, where maintaining sharpness across a broad range of distances is paramount.",
  "summary": "Like the iPhone 17 Pro models, the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max have three rear cameras – a 48MP Fusion Main lens, an 8x48MP Telephoto lens, and a 48MP Ultra Wide lens. They also share the same focal lengths and resolutions as their predecessors. The big upgrade this year though is the new variable aperture on the Main camera. Let's dive in. Aperture is what controls how much light…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}