The iPhone 18 Pro introduces a mechanical aperture system for its main camera, allowing for physical adjustments between f/1.48 and f/4. This hardware update aims to provide greater control over depth of field and light intake, though the practical impact on background blur is subtle due to the small sensor size. The system operates automatically, defaulting to f/1.8 in most conditions and narrowing to f/4 when capturing text to improve focus. In low-light scenarios, the aperture opens to f/1.48, which is approximately one-third of a stop brighter than the fixed f/1.8 aperture found on previous models. Beyond the mechanical aperture, the iPhone 18 Pro includes new manual camera controls for shutter speed, focus, and white balance, alongside AI-powered editing tools like Reframe and Extend. Apple has also implemented a "Reference Image" feature, which cryptographically signs images at the pixel level to verify their authenticity and distinguish them from AI-generated content. These additions are designed to offer more professional-grade flexibility, though their utility remains a matter of personal preference for the average user.
The iPhone 18 Pro features a new six-blade mechanical aperture for its main camera lens. The aperture can be adjusted between f/1.48 and f/4 to control light intake and depth of field.
New manual controls allow users to adjust shutter speed, focus, and white balance directly in the camera app. Apple introduced a Reference Image feature to cryptographically verify that an image was not created using AI.
AI-powered editing tools like Reframe and Extend enable users to adjust framing and fill in gaps post-capture. The camera system automatically adjusts the aperture based on lighting conditions and subject matter.
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Worth noting
- The video discusses the iPhone 18 Pro, which is an unreleased product; all features and specifications are based on the provided content.
- The reviewer notes that the Reference Image feature is not available in the EU and China.