SEOUL, Feb 10, 2026, 17:59 KST
- According to ETNews, Samsung has requested several camera module suppliers to create variable-aperture components for upcoming flagship Galaxy devices.
- This move comes after reports surfaced that Apple will introduce variable aperture in the iPhone 18 Pro models later this year.
- According to reports, Samsung included a comparable feature on the Galaxy S9 and S10 but eventually removed it.
Samsung Electronics is reportedly considering a comeback for variable-aperture smartphone cameras—a feature it previously promoted but then abandoned—according to South Korea’s ETNews. This move comes as competitors ramp up efforts to introduce novel hardware features in the premium smartphone market.
Timing is crucial here, as phone makers have relied heavily on software and on-device AI for the last two years to drive upgrades. Meanwhile, major shifts in camera hardware have grown scarce and tougher to justify in premium models.
A variable aperture stands out as one of the rare camera upgrades users can genuinely notice and interact with. It also offers brands a sharper marketing angle than simply touting a “bigger sensor,” though the benefits hinge on precise tuning.
ETNews reports that Samsung has tasked multiple camera module suppliers with creating variable-aperture components. Samsung Electro-Mechanics and MCNEX have already delivered sample units for testing. The technology, however, remains in its early stages, and Samsung hasn’t finalized whether it will be included.
Variable aperture lets the camera lens adjust its opening size, regulating the amount of light reaching the sensor. According to MacRumors, this helps prevent blown-out highlights in bright settings by reducing light, while widening the aperture in darker conditions. It also influences depth of field, affecting how sharply the subject stands out from the background.
Samsung introduced the concept back in 2018 with the Galaxy S9, which could toggle between two aperture settings. But they dropped it later, citing extra thickness and cost, according to ETNews and other sources. Since then, suppliers have managed to shrink the component size.
Apple has yet to introduce a variable aperture on the iPhone, but that’s set to change with the iPhone 18 Pro models. According to PhoneArena, both the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature variable apertures. Samsung might adopt the same tech, possibly starting with the Galaxy S27 series.
The concept isn’t fresh to the broader market. Take Xiaomi’s flagship 14 Ultra—it touts a “stepless” variable aperture on its main shooter, highlighting how this feature is quietly making a comeback in high-end Android phones, even if it hasn’t become standard yet. Mi Poland
For over a year, Apple supply chain expert Ming‑Chi Kuo has been consistent. In a note from December 2024, he stated that the iPhone 18 Pro’s wide camera “will upgrade to variable aperture in 2026.” Medium
Both product roadmaps remain fluid. Wccftech pointed out that Samsung’s work seems to be in the testing phase, with plans subject to rapid shifts—especially given the challenges around moving parts, durability, and manufacturing costs. These are the same hurdles that led Samsung to abandon variable aperture earlier.
Should Samsung decide to revive it, the company is banking on a mechanical camera feature to catch buyers’ attention in a market where upgrades increasingly blur together. It also highlights that despite all the AI buzz, the real battle at the premium level might still hinge on glass and hardware.
