San Francisco, Feb 8, 2026, 22:30 PST
- A Weibo leaker claims Apple is experimenting with a variable-aperture main camera and a telephoto lens sporting a wider aperture for the iPhone 18 Pro models
- One more leak suggests the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a bigger battery, which could add a bit of thickness to the device
- Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo flagged a variable-aperture wide camera as a probable upgrade for the 2026 iPhone Pro
A Weibo account called “Digital Chat Station” claims Apple is experimenting with two camera upgrades for the iPhone 18 Pro series: a variable-aperture main sensor and a telephoto lens featuring a wider aperture, MacRumors reported. 1
If Apple goes ahead, it would be an unusual move toward more advanced optics on the iPhone, especially as design changes alone are no longer enough to boost upgrades. Camera improvements stand out to buyers right away and often trigger component orders months ahead of release.
Rumors keep pointing to Apple relying on the Pro models to dominate the high-end market this year. There’s chatter about a first-ever foldable iPhone dropping around the usual fall launch. That only raises the stakes for the Pro line to stand out as the reliable, “best camera” option.
A variable aperture is the adjustable opening within a lens that regulates the amount of light reaching the camera sensor. Simply put, it’s useful for shooting in low light, avoiding blown-out highlights in bright conditions, and allowing better control over background blur—without leaning heavily on software fixes.
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed in a 2024 note that the high-end iPhone 18 will see “one major upgrade”: the wide-camera lens is being upgraded to a variable aperture camera. 2
MacRumors pointed out that Apple has never implemented a variable aperture on the iPhone. Samsung Electronics gave it a shot with the Galaxy S9 and S10 but abandoned the feature in later releases, citing increased thickness and higher costs. The leaker also confirmed a telephoto lens with a wider aperture, promising better low-light zoom and faster shutter speeds.
9to5Mac referenced the same Weibo leaker, who mentioned that “iPhones are testing a variable aperture main camera + a large aperture telephoto lens.” However, it’s still uncertain if these updates will appear on both Pro models or just the bigger Pro Max. 3
Battery capacity is another key focus. Digital Chat Station suggests the iPhone 18 Pro Max might pack a 5,100–5,200 mAh battery — mAh being the unit for battery capacity — which could mean the phone gets thicker to fit the larger cell, per a report from MacRumors. 4
The battery rumor showed up alongside talk of an A20 Pro chip, crafted using TSMC’s 2-nanometer process—a newer tech that boosts performance while cutting power consumption. The report also mentioned a smaller Dynamic Island, Apple’s pill-shaped screen notch, a C2 modem for cellular connectivity, and a streamlined Camera Control system.
Still, plenty can go wrong. These are tests, not promises. Apple frequently experiments with hardware tweaks that never make it to market; a moving-aperture setup means more parts, higher costs, and greater chances of failure. Plus, a larger battery could add weight and bulk up the device’s frame.
Forbes also weighed in on Sunday, reporting that design changes for the iPhone 18 Pro are “taking shape” according to a fresh leak. This highlights just how early—and how contradictory—the iPhone 18 Pro rumor mill already is this year. 5
