iPhone 18 Pro Set for Major Upgrades: Variable Aperture Lens, Powered by TSMC's 2nm Chip

iPhone 18 Pro Set for Major Upgrades: Variable Aperture Lens, Powered by TSMC's 2nm ChipRecently, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that the iPhone 18 series will see significant camera upgrades. According to him, the high-end iPhone 18 Pro series, due to be launched in 2026, will feature a variable aperture wide-angle main camera lens, further enhancing the user's photographic experience

iPhone 18 Pro Set for Major Upgrades: Variable Aperture Lens, Powered by TSMC's 2nm Chip

Although the iPhone 16 series has been on the market for less than two months, rumors about future iPhones are already swirling. From next year's iPhone 17 series to the iPhone 18 series in 2026, they have become the focus of attention. For Apple fans, these leaks years in advance are nothing new. After all, Apple's products involve a wide range of industries, and the research and development and testing of hardware and components often begin years in advance. Therefore, rumors about future iPhones are often based on reasonable speculation about changes in the supply chain and are not entirely without foundation, making them somewhat valuable for reference.

Recently, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that the iPhone 18 series will see significant camera upgrades. According to him, the high-end iPhone 18 Pro series, due to be launched in 2026, will feature a variable aperture wide-angle main camera lens, further enhancing the user's photographic experience. Notably, The Information previously reported that Apple would equip at least one iPhone 17 model with a variable aperture lens next year. Kuo's latest news seems to indicate that this plan has been pushed back to 2026. However, there is an exception: Apple is rumored to be launching a new iPhone 17 Air or iPhone 17 Slim model next year, which might be the first to feature a variable aperture main camera, but it will only have a single rear lens.

The iPhone 14 Pro, 15 Pro, and 16 Pro maintain a fixed aperture of /1.78 for their main cameras. Variable aperture technology allows for physical adjustment of the aperture size to control light intake, enabling the camera to automatically adjust to different lighting conditions, providing better shooting results. For example, in low-light environments, the aperture can be increased to improve light intake, and in bright environments, it can be decreased to enhance sharpness. This will be a significant highlight for users seeking greater image quality and flexibility.

It is worth noting that variable aperture lenses on smartphones are not an Apple invention. The earliest example can be traced back to Nokia's N86 phone in 2009. In recent years, manufacturers like Huawei and Xiaomi have also launched models equipped with variable aperture lenses, so it's not exactly groundbreaking technology for Apple.

Besides the variable aperture lens, the iPhone 18 Pro is also anticipated for another upgrade: the integration of TSMC's 2nm process chip. The chip is said to be released a year later than previously rumored, while the iPhone 17 series will still use TSMC's 3nm chip. Compared to 3nm, the 2nm chip is expected to offer a 10%~15% performance improvement and a power consumption reduction of up to 30%.

In summary, these rumors and supply chain information about future iPhones should be taken with a grain of salt, as there's still a long way to go before official release, and changes are possible. However, these rumors offer a glimpse into our expectations and imaginations about what the future holds for the iPhone, making us eagerly anticipate the arrival of the iPhone 18 series.