iPhone 18 Pro Gains Manual Aperture, Shutter Speed Controls, and More

Apple today announced Pro Controls, a new customizable camera interface for the iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max that lets users manually adjust aperture, shutter speed, and white balance, or check exposure levels with a live histogram. Pro Controls is built around the variable aperture on the new Main camera. Six laser-cut blades move smoothly between four aperture settings, and the Camera app can adjust aperture automatically based on depth of field and lighting, or users can take manual control themselves for what Apple calls "truly unique shots that weren't possible before" on an iPhone. Pro Controls works across both photo and video capture. It also introduces Smart Focus Tracking, which uses on-device AI models to lock onto a subject and maintain focus even if that subject briefly leaves the frame and comes back into view. The new interface arrives alongside broader camera upgrades on the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max, including a redesigned computational imaging pipeline, updated Photographic Styles with new texture and grain controls, and the ability to apply Cinematic effects after capture to video shot at up to 60 fps. Variable aperture is also exposed to developers through a new API, giving third-party apps access to the same range of aperture settings. The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ starts at $1,199 and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max starts at $1,299. Pre-orders open on Saturday, September 12, ahead of availability on Friday, September 18. Popular StoriesiPhone 18 Pro Prices Estimated Ahead of September 9 Apple EventThursday September 3, 2026 3:41 am PDT by Tim HardwickLess than a week before Apple debuts new iPhone 18 Pro models, research firm TrendForce estimated the prices of the devices based on the latest hardware cost environment. TrendForce's price estimates compared to last year's models look like this: Model Starting Price Model Starting Price Change iPhone 17 Pro $1,099 iPhone 18 Pro $1,24...iPhone 18 Pro: Nine Reasons Not to Upgrade This YearMonday September 7, 2026 5:01 am PDT by Tim HardwickApple is set to unveil new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models on Wednesday, September 9, and the devices are expected to feature a design that's largely similar to the iPhone 17 Pro models, with a peppering of enhancements inside. Major changes are not expected until next year, when Apple is expected to introduce a radically redesigned 20th-anniversary iPhone. If you're thinking of...Apple Event: Six New Products to Expect on September 9Thursday August 27, 2026 8:00 am PDT by Joe RossignolApple has announced that it will be holding an event on Wednesday, September 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, with the company widely expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, its first-ever foldable iPhone, and more. Other products expected to be announced at the event include an Apple Watch Series 12 with a ceramic case option, an Apple Watch Ultra 4, AirPods 5 with and without...