iPhone 18 Pro Max camera specs tipped in fresh leak, variable aperture could be the biggest upgrade

Apple’s next flagship iPhone may not bring a major camera overhaul, but one key hardware change could make a noticeable difference. A newly surfaced diagnostics log, reportedly originating from leaked internal Tata Electronics files, appears to confirm several camera specifications for the iPhone 18 Pro Max ahead of its expected September launch.

The leak largely backs earlier rumours, suggesting Apple is focusing on refining its main camera while leaving the rest of the camera system largely unchanged.

iPhone 18 Pro Max major hardware changes

According to NotebookCheck, the diagnostics log confirms that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will use a new Sony IMX905 sensor as its primary camera, replacing the IMX903 sensor found on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. While the sensor retains the same 1.22μm pixel size, the report claims the key upgrade is support for a variable aperture system. The log reportedly includes calibration data for the aperture mechanism, indicating that Apple has added hardware capable of physically adjusting the amount of light entering the camera.

Low-light photography has been a major pain point among iPhone Pro users, showing poor progression right from its inception in the iPhone 11 era. If the leak is to believed, this would mark the first time an iPhone has offered a variable aperture camera.

Why variable aperture matters

Unlike fixed-aperture smartphone cameras, a variable aperture system can adjust the lens opening depending on the shooting scenario. A wider aperture lets in more light for low-light photography, while a narrower aperture can improve sharpness across the frame or create a more natural depth-of-field effect in bright conditions.

The technology isn’t entirely new to smartphones. Brands including Xiaomi, Huawei and Honor have already introduced variable aperture cameras on select flagship models. If Apple adopts the feature this year, it would be catching up with an existing industry trend rather than introducing a new one. For Apple, however, the feature could work alongside its computational photography to offer more flexibility without requiring users to manually adjust camera settings.

The rest of the camera hardware is expected to remain familiar. The leak suggests the telephoto camera will continue to use the Sony IMX973 sensor, while the ultrawide camera, LiDAR sensor and front-facing camera are also expected to carry over unchanged from the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Previous reports have also suggested Apple could increase the price of the iPhone 18 Pro Max by around USD 200 (around Rs 19,000), citing higher camera component and memory costs, but other leaks suggest a lower hike.

The leak suggests the iPhone 18 Pro Max may be a worthy upgrade primarily for photography enthusiasts interested in the benefits of variable aperture. Those already using a recent Pro-series iPhone may find the overall camera hardware largely familiar, especially if the remaining sensors remain unchanged.