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TechQuiet 3d · day 5

iPhone 18 Pro Max variable aperture transforms smartphone photography

Apple's new physical f-stop system on the 48MP main lens marks a major shift from software-based portrait modes.

newest coverage 3d agosummary written 2d ago3 pieces MastodonNewswiresGoogle News

What to know

  • iPhone 18 Pro Max features a physical variable aperture (f/1.48–f/4.0) on its 48MP main lens, with interlocked blades thinner than human hair—a hardware shift from prior software-only portrait modes.
  • Early testing shows the hardware aperture produces noticeably superior depth-of-field effects compared to software portrait processing, especially at wider apertures.
  • The variable aperture is limited to the main 48MP lens; the telephoto and ultrawide cameras retain fixed apertures (f/2.8 and f/2.2).

“The Main camera has Auto, ƒ/1.48, ƒ/1.8, ƒ/2.8, ƒ/4.0. That's a wide range. It's not quite DSLR-level, where you can stop down to, say, ƒ/11, which can be useful for deep focus and for capturing ultra-bright objects like the moon at night.”

TechRadar reviewer · TechRadar ↗

Apple Hardware manufacturerTechRadar Tech reviewer

iPhone 18 Pro Max variable aperture transforms smartphone photography
techradar.com

How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts

Peak 1 piece in two hours at Sep 19, 9 AM; 3 pieces over 5 days (2 articles · 1 post) Sep 19, 9 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Google News 1Sep 19, 11 AM — 1 piece · 1 post — Mastodon 1Sep 19, 1 PM — quietSep 19, 3 PM — quietSep 19, 5 PM — quietSep 19, 7 PM — quietSep 19, 9 PM — quietSep 19, 11 PM — quietSep 20, 1 AM — quietSep 20, 3 AM — quietSep 20, 5 AM — quietSep 20, 7 AM — quietSep 20, 9 AM — quietSep 20, 11 AM — quietSep 20, 1 PM — quietSep 20, 3 PM — quietSep 20, 5 PM — quietSep 20, 7 PM — quietSep 20, 9 PM — quietSep 20, 11 PM — quietSep 21, 1 AM — quietSep 21, 3 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 21, 5 AM — quietSep 21, 7 AM — quietSep 21, 9 AM — quietSep 21, 11 AM — quietSep 21, 1 PM — quietSep 21, 3 PM — quietSep 21, 5 PM — quietSep 21, 7 PM — quietSep 21, 9 PM — quietSep 21, 11 PM — quietSep 22, 1 AM — quietSep 22, 3 AM — quietSep 22, 5 AM — quietSep 22, 7 AM — quietSep 22, 9 AM — quietSep 22, 11 AM — quietSep 22, 1 PM — quietSep 22, 3 PM — quietSep 22, 5 PM — quietSep 22, 7 PM — quietSep 22, 9 PM — quietSep 22, 11 PM — quietYesterday, 1 AM — quietYesterday, 3 AM — quietYesterday, 5 AM — quietYesterday, 7 AM — quietYesterday, 9 AM — quietYesterday, 11 AM — quietYesterday, 1 PM — quietYesterday, 3 PM — quietYesterday, 5 PM — quietYesterday, 7 PM — quietYesterday, 9 PM — quietYesterday, 11 PM — quietToday, 1 AM — quietToday, 3 AM — quietToday, 5 AM — quietToday, 7 AM — quietToday, 9 AM — quietToday, 11 AM — quiet ◂ 1 earlier2
Sep 20Sep 21Sep 22yesterdaynow · 1:22 PM ET
  1. 2

    TechRadar's hands-on test shows variable aperture transforms iPhone photography

    A TechRadar reviewer tested the iPhone 18 Pro Max's variable aperture and compared it directly to the existing software-based portrait mode. The physical aperture system, particularly at f/1.48, produced noticeably superior depth-of-field effects compared to software processing, with visible bokeh even in bright daylight conditions.

    “The iPhone 18 Pro Max main camera's new variable aperture is a huge deal and, in my limited experience, I can already see that it could transform iPhone photography.”
    — TechRadar reviewer
    1. 1 outlet It took exactly one photo for me to realize the awesome power of the iPhone 18 Pro's variable aperture

      first by TechRadar, 3d ago

  2. 1 day quiet
  3. 1

    Apple announces iPhone 18 Pro with variable aperture camera

    Apple revealed the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max with a new variable aperture system on the main 48MP lens, alongside expanded Pro-level camera controls. The aperture features physical interlocked blades thinner than a human hair and can adjust between f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8, and f/4.0.