Four camera upgrades Apple may bring to the next iPhone

Apple is reportedly planning four major camera upgrades for future iPhones, signalling a broader push to improve its photography capabilities to catch up with the competition.

Variable Aperture

Corroborating earlier reports, leaker Digital Chat Station claims this year’s iPhone 18 Pro models could feature a variable aperture system. While not new to smartphones, this would be a first for the iPhone. Variable aperture allows the camera to control how much light enters the sensor, improving exposure in different lighting conditions while also offering more control over depth of field for natural background blur or keeping everything in focus.

“Ultra-Large” Main Camera Sensor

Apple is also expected to increase the size of its main camera sensor from 1/1.28-inch to around 1/1.12-inch. Comparable to Sony’s LYT-901 sensor used in devices like the Vivo X300 Ultra, a larger sensor can capture more light, resulting in better low-light performance, improved dynamic range, and faster shutter speeds.

Improved Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) for Ultra-Wide Lens

Enhancements to OIS on the ultra-wide camera are also in the pipeline. This would allow for sharper photos and smoother videos by reducing handshake, particularly in low-light conditions. It also makes the ultra-wide lens far more dependable for everyday shooting, including night photography and handheld video.

200MP Periscope Telephoto Lens

Apple is said to be exploring a 200MP periscope telephoto camera, an upgrade currently seen in only a handful of flagship Android devices, such as the OPPO Find X9 Pro.

Such a system would enable a higher level of optical zoom and digital zoom, ultimately delivering sharper long-range shots and thereby addressing one of the key areas where the iPhone has faced increasing competition.

Beyond the variable aperture, which many consider to be a strong possibility for this year’s iPhones, the timeline for the remaining three upgrades is unclear. It won’t be a surprise at all if Apple chooses to introduce the remaining three over multiple cycles. However, given the state of the competition, it’s likely that Apple might choose a more aggressive roadmap and roll these upgrades out sooner rather than later.

Source: Digital Chat Station via MacRumors