iPhone 18 Pro hands-on: Whats new with the cameras

While the iPhone Duo was the standout product during Apple's September event , the second biggest news was the camera additions to the iPhone 18 Pro lineup.

For the first time ever, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max include a genuine variable aperture.

It's paired with a new set of manual controls, upgraded video features, the new A20 Pro chip, and a fresh approach to photo authenticity, making this arguably the most substantial camera overhaul Apple has shipped in years.

It's also a meaningful shift in what Apple wants the iPhone to be .

Case in point, Apple's launch event kicked off with different cinematic scenes shot on the iPhone 18 Pro.

Between the adjustable aperture, manual shutter speed, manual focus, and a live histogram, the iPhone 18 Pro is basically an entry-level DSLR that can call and text your friends.

That said, it's worth watching how long Apple sticks with the hardware.

Variable aperture isn't new to smartphones broadly; Samsung shipped a version of it with the Galaxy S9 and S10, before quietly dropping the feature entirely.

So, whether the feature is here to stay or not, here's a closer look at everything that's new with the iPhone 18 Pro cameras.

We should also note that Mashable's Stan Schroeder has been testing the new camera tools for his iPhone 18 Pro Max review , and you can see plenty of test photos in his full review.

Variable aperture The new physical variable aperture uses laser-cut components thinner than a human hair.

Credit: Apple The headline feature is a 48MP main camera built around a physically adjustable aperture, something iPhones have never had before.

In cameras, an aperture is the opening in a lens through which light passes to hit the camera sensor.

A wider opening lets in more light (better for dim rooms or night shots) and blurs the background more; a narrower opening lets in less light but keeps more of the scene in sharp focus, which is useful outdoors or in group photos where you want everyone's face crisp.