Apple is rumored to be working on revolutionary camera technology for the iPhone, but so far little has leaked out. Now there is evidence from a Dutch company that is supposed to supply the components for a variable aperture.
Apple is apparently planning a big leap in camera technology on its iPhones. According to industry insiders, the iPhone 18 Pro, expected in 2026, will be equipped with a variable aperture camera. This technology could significantly expand the possibilities of smartphone photography and give users more creative control over their shots – although this technology was previously suspected in the iPhone 17 Pro.
The variable aperture is intended to make it possible to adjust the size of the aperture opening. This would have a direct impact on the depth of field and the amount of light hitting the sensor. This would allow photographers to react more flexibly to different lighting conditions and naturally create the bokeh effect – the blur in the background – without having to resort to software-based solutions.
Renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports that the Dutch company BE Semiconductor (BESI) is expected to play a key role in this innovation. BESI is expected to supply the assembly systems for the aperture blades. It is also said that Sunny Optical will be the main shutter supplier and Largan Precision is expected to manufacture the aperture lens systems.
The collaboration between Apple and BESI goes beyond the iPhone camera. Kuo suggests that BESI’s hybrid bonding equipment will play an important role in the production of Apple’s high-end M5 chips. These chips are said to be particularly suitable for AI inference and could advance Apple’s artificial intelligence ambitions. The upcoming M5 chip series for Macs and possibly iPhones will use so-called SoIC packaging (System-on-Integrated Chips). This technology promises improved production yields and optimized thermal performance.
