Gadgets

January 28, 2026, 10:08 PM EST. Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models reportedly entered late-stage engineering samples for a variable aperture camera, with a teleconverter also being evaluated, according to Chinese leak account Smart Pikachu on Weibo. The devices are expected to launch in September 2026. A variable aperture could improve exposure control, especially for video, by optical light reduction to maintain natural motion blur in bright conditions. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously said the main rear camera on the iPhone 18 Pro family would feature a variable aperture, a first for the line, and a 2025 report said Apple was advancing plans and discussing components. The teleconverter claim is new; such optics in smartphones are atypical and would likely affect light intake. Apple may test multiple features in parallel, with no guarantee of mass adoption. Caution advised regarding rumors from Smart Pikachu.