Apple's next-generation smartphone, 'iPhone 18 Pro Max,' is drawing attention even before its official release due to expected camera changes. A leaked photo of the Sky Blue packaging has revealed a variable aperture structure, which is anticipated to be introduced for the first time in an iPhone.
According to industry sources on the 23rd, photos believed to have been taken of the iPhone 18 Pro Max packaging are spreading primarily through SNS (social networking services). The images show a light blue-toned rear panel and three cameras.
The standout feature is the camera. The polygonal structure captured at the center of the bottom camera lens in the photo is identified as a variable aperture. Variable aperture is a technology that physically adjusts the amount of light entering the camera lens. In darker environments, the aperture opens wider to let in more light, while in brighter conditions, it narrows to reduce light intake. It also aids in controlling depth of field, enabling more diverse photographic expressions depending on shooting conditions.
The reason this photo has drawn significant attention is that variable aperture has been consistently discussed as a key camera change for the iPhone 18 Pro series. Guo Ming-chi, a Taiwanese analyst at TF International Securities and a well-known Apple expert, predicted that variable aperture would be applied to the iPhone 18 Pro series. If implemented, it would mark the first time such a feature appears in an iPhone. Recently, speculation has emerged that this function may be exclusive to the iPhone 18 Pro Max, raising interest in potential camera differentiation between the Pro and Pro Max models.
The adoption of variable aperture is also expected to drive up costs for camera components. Analyst Guo estimated that the average selling price of variable aperture lenses applied to the iPhone 18 Pro would be approximately 50% higher than the premium lenses used in previous models. There are also predictions that Sunny Optical will participate as a key supplier of related components.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro series and its first foldable iPhone next month. Meanwhile, forecasts gaining traction suggest that the standard iPhone 18 model will be omitted from this fall's lineup and instead released alongside the iPhone 18e and iPhone Air2 in spring of next year.
in TECH
