Apple’s rumored iPhone 18 Pro camera upgrades might push Samsung to dust off a fan-favorite feature from its own past: variable aperture lenses. Leaker Digital Chat Station claims Samsung is testing the tech as a direct response, potentially debuting on the Galaxy S27 Ultra next year.
Variable Aperture: Samsung’s Blast from the Past
Remember the Galaxy S9 (2018)? It pioneered smartphone variable apertures, toggling between f/1.5 (low-light beast) and f/2.4 (bright-day sharpness). The feature shone on the S9/S10 Ultras but vanished with the S20 era—until now.
Samsung’s testing aligns with iPhone 18 Pro whispers of adaptive apertures for better depth control and light handling. Could this land on the Galaxy S26 Ultra? Earlier rumors hinted yes, but timing points to S27 Ultra, launching months after Apple’s fall flagship.
Bonus: Samsung’s also prototyping a wide-screen foldable to rival the rumored iPhone Fold, echoing Galaxy Z Fold 8 concepts.
Not Just Samsung—It’s an Industry Throwback
Huawei dominates with variable apertures on Mate 80 series and Mate X7 foldable. Xiaomi’s 14 Ultra had f/1.6-4.0 magic, but dropped it on the 15 Ultra. If Samsung revives it, expect photo quality boosts like reduced flare, bokeh mastery, and night-mode prowess—not just spec-sheet flexing.
Platform Wars Heat Up
Apple sets trends late but influences everyone—now Samsung flips the script by copying itself to match. Photo nerds, this could reignite the camera battle.
What do you think—genius revival or unnecessary gimmick?