iPhone 18 Pro Max leak hints at variable aperture

A leak involving an Apple supplier may have revealed the iPhone 18 Pro Max camera setup ahead of launch. A diagnostic log reportedly lists a new Sony IMX905 main sensor alongside a possible variable aperture, a feature no iPhone has used to date.

If the log is genuine, Apple is changing the primary camera module rather than redesigning the entire camera array. The IMX905 is said to retain a 1.22-micrometer pixel size, while mechanical aperture control could give the phone more flexibility over depth of field and exposure, reducing its reliance on computational processing.

The other components reportedly remain largely unchanged:

• Sony IMX973 telephoto camera
• Sony IMX972 ultra-wide camera
• LiDAR sensor
• Front-facing camera

Image credit: gizmochina

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The supplier leak and variable-aperture history

The incident reportedly involved Tata Electronics, one of Apple’s manufacturing partners in India. Hundreds of gigabytes of data, including component and testing information, were said to have reached the internet. Apple has not publicly commented on the incident.

Variable apertures are not new to smartphones. Samsung used the technology in the Galaxy S9 and S10 before dropping it, reportedly because of the mechanism’s complexity, module thickness, and cost. Huawei also tested mechanical light control in its Mate series, but the technology never became mainstream.

Apple’s adoption would stand out because the company has spent years emphasizing larger sensors, computational photography, and image processing rather than moving optics. The leak also claims the iPhone 18 Pro Max could cost about $200 more because of rising component costs.

If Apple follows its usual schedule, the rumors could be tested in September 2026, when the company is expected to unveil its next iPhone lineup.