iPhone 18 Pro: Apple's four-stage camera plan Apfelpatient

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According to a new leak, Apple is testing four major camera innovations for upcoming iPhone generations. The iPhone 18 Pro will kick things off this fall with a variable aperture. The other three upgrades are planned for later models – including a 200-megapixel telephoto sensor.

The camera has been the most important selling point for iPhone Pro models for years. While the display and casing often only see minor changes, Apple invests in substantial improvements to the camera every year. A new report from the Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station now reveals the roadmap for the upcoming generations – and it's more ambitious than many expected.

Digital Chat Station has provided reliable reports on iPhone components several times in recent months. According to its sources, Apple is planning four specific camera upgrades: a variable aperture, a significantly larger main sensor, improved image stabilization for the ultra-wide camera, and a 200-megapixel periscope telephoto camera. Only the first of these features is confirmed for the iPhone 18 Pro – the other three are planned for later generations, with some unknown timeframes.

Stage 1: Variable Aperture (iPhone 18 Pro, September 2026)

The variable aperture is the best-documented innovation. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had already announced it for the iPhone 18 Pro in December 2024, and Sunny Optical has since started production of the necessary actuators.

The technical innovation is substantial: Until now, all iPhones – from the iPhone 14 Pro to the iPhone 17 Pro – had a fixed aperture of ƒ/1.78. This meant the main camera always let in the same amount of light, regardless of whether you were shooting in sunlight or candlelight. The variable aperture changes that: In low light, it opens to its maximum for brighter images, while in bright light, it closes to prevent overexposure. Users also gain more control over depth of field – a feature previously only available on professional system cameras.

For the iPhone 18 Pro, this is the decisive camera upgrade. Combined with the four new colors, including Dark Cherry, and an improved telephoto camera, the upcoming generation will offer significantly more than just cosmetic changes.

Stage 2: Ultra-large main sensor (timing unclear)

The second upgrade involves a new 1/1.12-inch main sensor – an odd designation that requires some explanation. The "1/1.12 inch" measurement originates from historical video tube formats and doesn't refer to the sensor's actual diagonal. In practice, this equates to a diagonal of approximately 14.5 millimeters – far less than the designation suggests, but still enormous for a smartphone.

For comparison: The main sensor in the iPhone 17 Pro measures 1/1.28 inches. The new sensor would therefore be significantly larger, with correspondingly better low-light performance, greater dynamic range, and less image noise. The exact same sensor – Sony's LYT-901 – is already used in the Vivo X300 Ultra. Apple would thus be adopting sensor technology that Chinese manufacturers have been using for some time, albeit with a delay.

It's unclear when this sensor will appear in an iPhone. The iPhone 19 Pro or the iPhone 20 Pro are possibilities, depending on how quickly Apple can establish the necessary supply chain.

Level 3: Improved stabilization for ultra-wide-angle lenses

The third planned upgrade concerns optical image stabilization (OIS) for the ultra-wide camera. Currently, OIS is primarily active on the main and telephoto cameras. Apple has so far refrained from implementing it on the ultra-wide camera – presumably because the short focal length of such lenses makes camera shake barely noticeable anyway.

The planned upgrade would change that. Improved stabilization of the ultra-wide-angle lens offers significant advantages, especially for video recording – particularly for fast camera movements or handheld shooting in challenging lighting conditions. For videographers, this would represent a noticeable improvement.

Stage 4: 200-megapixel periscope telephoto lens (earliest 2028)

The most ambitious part of the plan is the 200-megapixel periscope telephoto camera. We've already reported that the 200MP telephoto camera won't arrive until 2028 at the earliest. This puts Apple significantly behind competitors like Samsung, who are already using such sensors in their flagship devices.

Apple's cautious approach is deliberate: Instead of simply adding more megapixels, the company focuses on sensor size, optical quality, and software image processing. A 200-megapixel sensor only makes sense if the surrounding architecture can utilize the additional data volume. Apple is apparently working on precisely this comprehensive package.

iPhone: What this means strategically

The four planned upgrades demonstrate how thoughtfully Apple structures its camera roadmap. Each year, one or two new features are introduced, building upon each other. The iPhone 18 Pro starts with the variable aperture – future generations will add further components step by step.

For buyers of the iPhone 18 Pro, this means: The model marks the beginning of a new camera era, but it's not the final version. Those who already know they'll upgrade to the latest iPhone every year will see noticeable improvements with each generation. However, those waiting for a particularly future-proof model should probably look at the iPhone 20 Pro for the 20th anniversary – it's likely to include several of the planned upgrades.

For a complete overview of all previous iPhone 18 Pro leaks, you can find a continuously updated summary of all rumors here. (Image: Shutterstock / Ekaterina_Minaeva)