It has long been the case that built-in smartphone cameras have surpassed digital cameras. Except for high-end models offering expert-level manual functions, it is a fact that smartphones are superior in most aspects of photography, including portability, shooting quality, and post-processing. It no longer seems out of place to shoot with a smartphone during interviews or on-site reporting.
Nevertheless, there are clearly areas that smartphone cameras cannot fill. I believe this is due to the results that seem to prioritize the smartphone's "processing" over the user's intent, even after dozens or hundreds of shots. For users who miss high-end cameras with their refined handling and directly linked output, a "phone camera" can still be disappointing. The premium LINE 'iPhone 18 Pro' released by Apple this time is a product that can provide some answers to those with such regrets.
First in the series to feature a variable aperture… What is the difference in results?
The biggest change applied to this iPhone 18 Pro series is that the main camera features a variable aperture, meaning an aperture that can be physically adjusted. Existing iPhones and most smartphones typically feature cameras with an aperture value (f) of around f/1.8 and process depth of field, which corresponds to subject sharpness, using software.
The iPhone 18 Pro implements a variable aperture in the main camera lens that can be adjusted to four sizes: △f/1.48, △f/1.8, △f/2.8, and △f/4.0. It utilizes a method with six blades. The default setting is set to adjust the aperture automatically, and users can select an appropriate aperture value for the situation through menu items.
Thanks to being able to open the aperture one step wider than typical smartphone cameras, it can capture more light in indoor or nighttime shooting. In other words, securing a faster shutter speed allows for photographing with less shake. Additionally, the out-of-focus technique of clearly capturing only the area around the focused subject is implemented more naturally than blurring the periphery through software (blur effect).
The shooting method where the variable aperture performance can be felt most significantly is when creating light flaring effects. By raising the aperture value to f/4.0, clean light flaring can be captured without filters or photo post-processing. Shake that may occur in slow shutter speed shooting is compensated for by the smartphone's night mode shooting. While existing iPhone models were disappointing for blurring lights in dark environments like nighttime shooting, the variable aperture function of this iPhone 18 Pro produces results that satisfy such regrets.
In addition, using focus lock to follow a manually designated subject, or utilizing functions to directly adjust △white balance, △shutter speed, and △depth of field through Pro-specific control items, allows users to fully feel the shooting pleasure that existing smartphone cameras could not provide.
'Long' battery based on the A20 Pro chip… Gifts a sense of relief from charging stress
If the camera was the most prominent upgrade in this iPhone 18 Pro, improvements in processing speed through processor upgrades and enhanced battery efficiency are changes that can be subtly felt.
Apple announced that it used the A20 Pro, the most powerful and efficient iPhone chip to date, in this series. By upgrading overall performance through a 2-nanometer process, widening memory bandwidth compared to the previous series, and introducing a new thermal management system to significantly improve heat control performance, it is said to have increased user satisfaction in all tasks, including △advanced AI work, △AAA game play with top-level graphics, and △maintaining stable cellular connections.
In actual experience, the battery of the iPhone 18 Pro is at a level that can stably last more than a day. It is possible to use the smartphone without additional charging from unplugging it from the charger around 6 a.m. every day until just before sleeping around midnight. Despite having relatively high screen usage time due to the nature of work involving frequent travel and many calls during working hours, I was able to handle the daily schedule effortlessly with only 70–80% battery capacity remaining. The battery performance, which can play videos for up to 45 hours, can be felt immediately.
It is also a strength that it supports wired fast charging capable of charging up to a maximum of 50% in 15 minutes, allowing battery efficiency to be maximized. In the case of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, it is said that just 5 minutes of fast charging can play videos for about 7 hours.
It is also notable that by moving the camera for facial recognition (Face ID) to the bottom of the display, a Dynamic Island 25% smaller than the previous model was implemented. It can display real-time information for up to three items, such as incoming calls, timers, and playing content, providing the convenience of knowing necessary information immediately without unlocking the screen.
However, due to the display that minimizes bezels and enlarges the screen, there were some regrets regarding slightly uncomfortable handling, such as unintended points being pressed during one-handed operation. Also, it appears to be an area for improvement that heat generation of over 40 degrees (℃) occurs within a few minutes in some tasks such as data transfer.
in TECH
