Apple gathering variable aperture camera component for iPhone 18 Pro

Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed that Apple is sourcing camera components for 2026 iPhone 18 Pro models featuring new variable aperture capability.

The company currently uses a fixed aperture for the main camera but upgrading to a variable aperture will bring more control to the lens and provide a wide range of photography options.

Such a feature is widely available in Chinese smartphones but Apple taking turns would become a major turn of events in iPhones in the camera segment. Kuo said the company has selected BESI to supply assembly equipment for aperture blades.

iPhone 15 (Image Source- Apple)

BE Semiconductor Industries or BESI is a Dutch multinational company that designs and manufactures semiconductor equipment known for its assembly processes and equipment for leadframe, substrate, and wafer-level packaging applications.

These blades play an important role in managing the aperture size with closing and opening sequences and are connected to the ISP system to react on time.

Apple usually launches new iPhones in the second half of the year, which will continue in 2026. It will also bring four models including a standard, and two Pro iPhones.

The Cupertino-based tech company is expected to shift model dynamics with next year’s iPhone 17 but we’ll have to wait for more confirmation.

(source)