During Apple's September event, the most notable announcement after the iPhone Duo was the enhanced camera capabilities of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. For the first time, these models feature a variable aperture, alongside a new set of manual controls, improved video features, and the A20 Pro chip. This change marks the most significant camera update from Apple in several years, indicating a shift in the company's vision for the device. The event showcased various cinematic scenes shot with the iPhone 18 Pro, highlighting its advanced features such as adjustable aperture, manual shutter speed, manual focus, and a live histogram, making it comparable to an entry-level DSLR.
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The standout feature is a 48MP main camera that boasts a physically adjustable aperture, which is a first for iPhones. The aperture controls how much light reaches the camera sensor, affecting image quality and depth of field. Unlike the iPhone 17 Pro's fixed ƒ/1.78 aperture, the 18 Pro can adjust between four settings using six ultra-thin, laser-cut blades, allowing it to optimize for lighting conditions.
While this feature enhances low-light photography and provides clearer background blur, it may be too complex for average users, as Stan Schroeder of Mashable noted. Many users might try the manual settings once before reverting to automatic.
The durability of variable apertures is a concern, as similar features in other smartphones, like Samsung's Galaxy models, have been discontinued due to fragility. It remains to be seen if Apple's implementation will hold up better.
Additionally, the Camera app includes a "Pro controls" panel for manual adjustments. Photographers can now manipulate aperture settings, shutter speed, and white balance, along with a histogram that helps gauge exposure. While these features cater to photography enthusiasts, the automated settings are still likely to be preferred by casual users.
The computational imaging capabilities have also been improved, resulting in enhanced image quality with more detail and less noise. New tools in the photo editing functions include texture and grain controls for Photographic Styles, along with updated video features such as post-production Cinematic effects and 4K time-lapse support.
Another notable addition is the Apple Reference Image feature, which allows users to capture a digitally signed version of their photos. This aims to combat misinformation by enabling users to verify the authenticity of images.
Testing has shown that the iPhone 18 Pro's low-light photography is significantly better compared to its predecessor, although users may need to adjust settings to achieve optimal results. The iPhone 18 Pro Max was found to produce sharper images with less noise when Night Mode was disabled compared to the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
On the software side, iOS 27 offers new editing tools like clean-up features, photo extension capabilities, and spatial reframing, enabling users to adjust the angle of photos post-capture.
In conjunction with the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple also unveiled new AirPods and Apple Watches, with pre-orders now available for most devices.