QUESTION · SATURDAY Q&A

The iPhone 18 Pro has variable aperture—what can't the iPhone still do? What does Apple need to add next?

ASKED BY · Paul Wall · AUSTIN, TEXAS · 19 SEP 2026 · ▶ 00:53:21

THE PANEL'S ANSWER

Should add true 5–10x optical zoom with optical image stabilization like micro four-thirds; could fold-out back screen like a point-and-shoot camera with full telephoto lens.

Unidentified panelist

iPhone 18 Pro now has 8x optical zoom; sensor size still tiny with heavy computational photography; exceptional pocket camera but not intended to replace professional full-frame cameras.

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From the transcript.

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52:54has a variable aperture what can't the iPhone still do that Apple needs to add next well there's always something to add go ahead Courtney well you know it's all about the camera now with Apple I think they need to take the next step and make a very optical 5x zoom on their cameras or just do bite the bullet and make it a point and shoot camera with the phone on the back

53:21of it you know so it has a fold-out screen on the back I'm gonna like the duo and it's basically a point and shoot, you know, a pocketable with a 5X or 10X optical zoom on it, optical image stabilization, you know, all those great things we had in micro four thirds cameras, just make it a camera and you can make phone calls on it if you want, but you know, just take the final step and

53:47make it a camera. What are these phone calls that you speak of, Courtney? I don't know. Well, now we just have ai translate your text into a voice which it phone calls for you yeah so so the new i haven't i did watch the keynote they they do actually provide on the 18 uh pro there is an 8x optical zoom on it uh what's the sense does anyone know the sensor size i don't know if they disclose

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MENTIONED IN THE ANSWER
iPhone 18 Pro→variable aperture→optical image stabilization→computational photography→micro four thirds→
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