{
  "id": 8860380,
  "title": "iPhone 18 Pro Teardown By iFixit Reveals Variable Aperture Details",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/iphone-18-pro-teardown-by-ifixit-reveals-variable-aperture-details",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-21T06:26:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Lowyat.NET",
    "slug": "lowyat-net",
    "url": "https://www.lowyat.net/2026/404774/iphone-18-pro-teardown-ifixit/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, which are essentially the same device in varying sizes. These phones introduce a new feature: a variable aperture system, which is not novel to smartphones. iFixit dissected the devices to examine the variable aperture and other internal components. The aperture blades are incredibly thin, barely exceeding the width of a human hair. They are composed of a polymer composite, rendering them impervious to the magnetic forces that control the system. Each blade operates in tandem via minute slots, showing the complexity of the mechanism. Given the numerous moving parts, repairs are likely to be a daunting task, possibly necessitating a complete camera assembly replacement. The cost of such repairs remains unknown, though the iPhone 17 Pro model, lacking the variable aperture, retails for US$249. The rest of the iPhone 18 Pro components are accessed by first removing the screen, a procedure reminiscent of previous Pro models. Battery replacement continues to be straightforward due to the battery's placement on a metal tray secured with screws. Notably, the iPhone 18 Pro also features eSIM models with slightly larger batteries. However, the logic board's layout and thermal design are new, resulting in the NAND storage being integrated within the logic board switch. This change makes battery and storage repairs more challenging than ever. iFixit awarded the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max a provisional score of 7/10, expressing their continued commitment to keeping the teardown industry vibrant.",
  "summary": "Apple announced the new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, which are essentially identical phones in different sizes. The new party piece for both is the variable aperture, which, while new among Apple phones, is not new for smartphones as a whole. At any rate, the folks at iFixit gave both variants the usual teardown […] The post iPhone 18 Pro Teardown By iFixit Reveals Variable Aperture Details…",
  "key_points": [
    "iPhone 18 Pro features variable aperture system.",
    "Aperture blades are ultra-thin polymer composites.",
    "Repairs likely complex due to numerous moving parts."
  ],
  "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."
}