Apple announces iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max camera upgrades that introduce new manual “Pro Controls” in the Camera app. The controls give users more direct adjustment over camera parameters than prior iPhone models, expanding what users can fine-tune during shooting.
Across outlets, the focus centers on manual exposure and lens characteristics. MacRumors reports that Pro Controls include manual aperture and shutter speed adjustments, as well as white-balance controls and an on-screen exposure view with a live histogram. Apple also incorporates variable aperture hardware on the main camera, described as moving between multiple aperture settings for different depth-of-field outcomes.
The upgrades are not limited to stills. MacRumors says Pro Controls work across photo and video capture and add Smart Focus Tracking, using on-device AI to maintain focus when a subject briefly leaves and then re-enters the frame. The reporting also notes broader related changes, including updated Photographic Styles, the ability to apply Cinematic effects after capture for video up to 60 fps, and developer access to variable aperture via a new API. Pre-orders reportedly open September 12, with availability on September 18.
