Fact check
AI analysis“The iPhone 18 Pro's new main camera is limited to just four aperture settings (f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8, and f/4) in the native iOS camera app in manual mode.”
Reasoning
Apple’s newsroom, user guide, and WWDC session all state that the iPhone 18 Pro’s main camera offers four aperture stops (f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8, f/4) selectable in Manual/Pro mode, and The Verge’s testing corroborates this. However, MacRumors and Apple Support Community posts report that only f/1.48, f/2.8 and f/4 appear, with f/1.8 absent, suggesting the claim may not hold in practice for the current iOS build.
On confidence: Official Apple announcements and documentation list four aperture values, but several independent user reports claim the f/1.8 setting is missing in the current manual‑mode UI, creating conflicting evidence.
Important context
The discrepancy may stem from a software version mismatch, a UI bug, or a phased rollout; Apple’s official materials reflect intended functionality, while user reports reflect observed behavior at the time of testing.
Evidence
Supporting (4)
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceApple newsroom – iPhone 18 Pro introduces four‑step variable aperture
The new iPhone 18 Pro’s main camera now features a four‑step variable aperture—f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8 and f/4—accessible directly in the native Camera app’s Manual mode.
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceiPhone User Guide – Using Manual mode in the Camera app (iOS 18)
In Manual mode you can select one of four aperture values for the main camera: f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8, or f/4.
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceWWDC 2026 – Advances in iPhone Camera Technology
The session notes that the iPhone 18 Pro’s primary lens now offers a four‑position aperture wheel (f/1.48 → f/1.8 → f/2.8 → f/4) that can be controlled in the Camera app’s Pro mode.
- Tier 2 — Independent reportingindependent originThe Verge – iPhone 18 Pro camera review: variable aperture in practice
Testing the native Camera app’s Manual mode shows four distinct aperture stops – f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8 and f/4 – matching Apple’s specifications.
Contradicting (2)
- Tier 2 — Independent reportingindependent originMacRumors – iPhone 18 Pro aperture settings: why you can’t find f/1.8
Early testers report that the f/1.8 setting is missing from the Manual mode UI; only f/1.48, f/2.2 and f/4 appear, suggesting Apple’s four‑step claim may be inaccurate in the current iOS build.
- Tier 4 — CommentaryApple Support Communities – Missing f/1.8 aperture on iPhone 18 Pro
Several users note that selecting f/1.8 in Manual mode is impossible; the UI only cycles between f/1.48, f/2.8 and f/4.
Limitations
Evidence is limited to publicly available statements and anecdotal user reports; no direct technical teardown or firmware analysis was consulted, and the situation may change with future iOS updates.
- Last verified:
- Sep 26, 2026, 5:21 PM CDT
- Pipeline:
- 0.1.0
- Claim type:
- Factual
Where this claim appeared
These camera apps give you more control over the iPhone 18 Pro’s apertureThe Verge