The camera on the iPhone 18 Pro Max might be able to open and close like an actual lens to enhance portrait photography.

      A leaked factory log has revealed key details about the iPhone 18 Pro Max’s anticipated camera upgrade.

      According to Notebookcheck, the forthcoming flagship device from Apple may feature a main camera capable of adjusting its aperture. The diagnostic log allegedly linked to the iPhone 18 Pro Max contains calibration data for a variable-aperture lens.

      This internal document surfaced among files reportedly hacked from Apple supplier Tata Electronics and made public by the World Leaks ransomware group. Apple has yet to confirm the authenticity of this information or make any comments regarding the situation.

      The iPhone camera's capability to adapt its aperture could finally become a reality

      The log indicates that the new main camera sensor will be a Sony IMX905, with a pixel size of 1.22 micrometers, similar to that of the prior generation. This implies that the enhancement will come from the physical aperture mechanism rather than a significant increase in the sensor size.

      Notebookcheck uncovered calibration entries related to an aperture actuator, which would allow the lens opening to physically adjust. A wider aperture can capture more light and create a shallower depth of field, while a narrower aperture increases the sharpness range and enhances control in bright lighting conditions.

      In simple terms, the next iPhone will offer improved adaptability in varying lighting environments, providing an additional hardware feature alongside Apple’s computational photography. Variable aperture is already seen in competing flagship models, such as Huawei's Pura 90s Pro series, marking it as a first for Apple's iPhones rather than a groundbreaking innovation in the smartphone realm.

      Other cameras may remain largely unchanged

      The remaining camera lineup for the iPhone 18 Pro Max is reportedly expected to mirror that of the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The log mentions the same Sony IMX973 telephoto, IMX972 ultrawide, IMX591 LiDAR, and IMX914 selfie cameras. The telephoto system will also keep its 3-axis, gimbal-style optical stabilization.

      Apple's existing iPhone 17 Pro models already feature three 48-megapixel rear cameras, including a 4x optical telephoto option. In our assessments, its long-range performance significantly lags behind the Pixel 10 Pro, particularly in terms of detail, shadow handling, and color accuracy under higher magnifications.

      The introduction of a new main-camera aperture appears to be the most significant imaging change for Apple this year, though consumers may face a hefty price tag. Another report suggests that the iPhone 18 Pro Max could see a price increase of around $200 due to rising costs in camera and memory production.

      Vikhyaat Vivek is a tech journalist and reviewer with seven years of experience in consumer hardware reporting, focusing on…

      In related news, Google’s anticipated Gemini update may face delays.

      The race for AI leadership has proven more challenging for Google than initially expected. A recent Bloomberg report indicates that the company has fallen months behind its planned timeline for the rollout of Gemini 3.5 Pro, its next major AI model, as engineers work to enhance its coding capabilities – one of its main weaknesses.

      This delay goes beyond merely refining another chatbot. It underscores a broader issue within Google, where extensive engineering teams, various product divisions, and increasingly stringent AI safety protocols are slowing the company's response to rivals that are seemingly accelerating ahead.

      In the world of sports and tech, Caviar brings the debate of Messi versus Ronaldo to the forefront.

      Caviar has launched a new collection that takes football’s biggest rivalry into the luxury tech arena. This collection amplifies the Android versus iPhone discussion by pairing Lionel Messi with a custom Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Cristiano Ronaldo with an iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Each design features handcrafted cloisonné enamel and 24-karat gold plating, with prices starting at $18,382 for Messi’s device and $15,974 for Ronaldo’s iPhones.

      Messi receives the foldable model, while Ronaldo opts for the iPhone.

      Meanwhile, new details are emerging about the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

      Although it will showcase enhancements overall, Samsung's Fold 8 Ultra is not set to redefine what a foldable phone looks like. Instead, it appears to serve as a direct successor to the Galaxy Z Fold 7, presenting a similar tall, narrow design and book-style dimensions aimed at the same audience.

      For users familiar with previous Samsung Galaxy Z Fold models, the Fold 8 Ultra might be the ideal device. It will feature a reimagined inner display, a significantly larger battery, faster charging capabilities, and the innovative Flex Titanium technology aimed at reducing the crease issue that has plagued Samsung's foldables for years.