An alleged photograph of the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro retail packaging has appeared online, revealing a variable aperture mechanism on the main camera module.
Media outlets noted the unusual appearance of the lower lens in the familiar triple-camera array on the light blue box. Zooming in on the image reveals mechanical components capable of adjusting the size of the lens opening. Speculation that Apple was developing variable aperture technology for its smartphones first surfaced last year.
A variable aperture allows a camera to adjust how much light reaches the sensor, operating in a manner similar to professional cameras. The mechanical feature offers improved photographic performance across varied lighting environments and provides photographers with greater control over depth of field.
Industry analysts previously expected Apple to restrict variable aperture capabilities to the higher-end iPhone 18 Pro Max. However, the image of the alleged iPhone 18 Pro packaging suggests the feature could be included on both Pro models.
Hardware upgrades and chip manufacturing
According to recent leaks, both smartphones in the iPhone 18 Pro lineup will feature several other significant hardware updates. These changes include a smaller Dynamic Island cutout at the top of the display and a new A20 Pro processor built using TSMC's advanced two-nanometer process.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, known as TSMC, is the primary chip fabrication partner for Apple Inc., an American technology company based in Cupertino, California. The Dynamic Island is Apple's interactive pill-shaped screen cutout introduced on premium iPhone models to display system alerts and live activities.
Launch timeline and expected pricing
Apple is expected to unveil the new smartphone series at an event scheduled for September 9. Rumors indicate that Apple will depart from its long-standing strategy of releasing all main models at once, choosing instead to withhold the standard base iPhone 18 until spring 2027. The company is also expected to launch its first foldable smartphone, named the iPhone Ultra, alongside the Pro models.
Ukrainian news agency UNIAN reported that the iPhone 18 Pro may cost between $250 and $300 more than the iPhone 17 Pro. Under those estimates, the base model with 256 GB of storage would cost between $1,349 and $1,399. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is also expected to see a price increase, reaching between $1,449 and $1,499.
