I Tried the iPhone 18 Pro's New Deluxe Camera and Shot Photos With Starbursts
The iPhone 18 Pro features a new variable aperture on its main camera, allowing users to manually adjust light intake and create starburst effects. This hardware upgrade aims to provide a more professional photography experience similar to dedicated cameras.
Why it matters
This represents a significant shift in mobile photography hardware, moving away from fixed-aperture lenses toward more versatile, professional-grade imaging capabilities.
Hands-on: At Apple's Sept. 9 event, I tried the new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. The standout feature is the new variable aperture on the main camera.
Read full bio September 10, 2026, 5:30 am ET
While the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are among Apple’s newest phones, they are the ones that don’t fold . Thankfully, a handful of upgrades, like a fancy new camera tool, will make photographers rejoice!
I tried the iPhone 18 Pro in a packed demo area in the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park right after the company’s “Surprise and shine” event . Admittedly, it wasn’t the ideal environment for photographic testing. But I was later able to take some photos and videos using the new variable aperture, in a calmer setting that showed off its potential. I now understand what the “shine” in the event’s name referred to.
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