iFixit found Apple’s first iPhone main camera with a magnetic variable aperture.
Why it matters: The new camera is a standout hardware change for Apple’s latest Pro phones, with implications for photo quality and product differentiation. It also raises repair questions if the iris mechanism fails and the whole camera module has to be swapped.
- iFixit says the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max use Apple’s first variable-aperture main camera in an iPhone.
- The iris uses six tiny overlapping blades, each about hair-thin, actuated magnetically.
- Apple says the 48MP Fusion Main camera offers four aperture settings: ƒ/1.48, ƒ/1.8, ƒ/2.8 and ƒ/4.0.
- iFixit gave both phones a provisional repairability score of 7/10, but said most major repairs still require display entry.
Apple’s September 2026 Pro iPhone launch included a new camera feature it said gives creators more control and low-light flexibility. The company said the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max debut a 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture and new Pro controls in its launch announcement.
iFixit’s teardown, published after the phones reached market, shows the hardware behind that pitch: six tiny overlapping blades inside the main camera module, moved magnetically. iFixit called the mechanism “a feat of precision engineering.” Its analysis also says the feature is the first variable-aperture main camera in an iPhone.
Apple’s own tech specs list four aperture settings for the main camera: ƒ/1.48, ƒ/1.8, ƒ/2.8 and ƒ/4.0. iFixit noted that the widest setting lets in roughly 7.3x more light than ƒ/4.0.
The repair angle is more complicated. The Verge reported that iFixit found the mechanism impressive but “effectively unrepairable” if the iris itself fails, likely forcing replacement of the full camera assembly. iFixit still gave the phones a provisional 7/10 repairability score, crediting a screwed-in battery tray and removable camera assemblies, while noting that many major repairs still require display removal.
Independent reporting from 9to5Mac said iFixit also flagged a cracked display-frame issue during the teardown, though it was not clear whether that was isolated or broader. MacRumors said the teardown also showed a larger vapor chamber and other internal changes, underscoring that the camera mechanism is part of a wider internal redesign.
Apple said pre-orders began September 12, 2026, with availability starting September 18, 2026.
By the numbers
- 6 - tiny overlapping blades inside the variable-aperture main camera
- 4 - aperture settings Apple lists for the iPhone 18 Pro main camera
- 7/10 - iFixit’s provisional repairability score for both phones
Yes, but: The new mechanism may improve creative control, but iFixit says a failure in the iris itself could require replacing the full camera assembly, which could complicate repairs.
What's next: Apple has not released replacement-part pricing for the camera assembly, so the eventual repair cost is still unknown.