Samsung is reported to be testing the return of a variable aperture for its camera system, supposedly taking inspiration from Apple that is said to include it on the iPhone 18 Pro. The funny part, Samsung has utilized a two-stage aperture in the past, last found on the Galaxy 10 series.
On recent phones, software has handled a lot of the aperture’s job, but is significantly limited in comparison to what a mechanical variable aperture can deliver. The aperture controls the amount of light that reaches a camera’s sensor, but also plays into controlling the depth of field. Any amount of enhanced control over a camera’s aperture is a good thing for people who enjoy mobile photography.
Testing is said to be in early development, so we likely won’t see it on the upcoming Galaxy S26 series. Samsung is reported to have requested variable aperture technology from multiple camera module partners, including but probably not limited to Samsung Electro-Mechanics and MCNEX.
If Samsung plans to adopt, this is something that the company would most likely highlight ahead of any announcement. For example, when it launches new camera sensors, the company releases press material to help showcase what its next-gen phones will utilize. The reintroduction of a variable aperture would certainly be newsworthy once Samsung’s decision is finalized.
Bring it on, Samsung.
// etnews
Bring back the 5x and/or 10x Optical with this and it'll be a BEAST.
It's ok Samsung. You just keep copying Apple's move just like you always do. It's like they can't think on their own. It's really sad.
how when samsung did it first smh
That’s not what I’m talking about here. They’ve gone back to being a copy cat. First it’s the thin phone. And then it’s the foldable with no crease (I’m sure we’ll magically see it in Fold 8). And now it’s the changing aperture lens. They likely know a lot of what Apple is doing because they are buying and building hardware from Samsung. It just seems to sad to see them play “me too”. It’s kind of how it was 10 years ago.
Yeah Samsung needs to become their own company again. They literally make fun of apple, then turn around and copy the very action that they made fun of. It's pathetic, sad part about it is Apple doesn't even respond to the insults.
It really is sad. When they get out of their own way, they make some really great products. I’m not sure if they don’t let their engineering team experiment or what. But they could be so much more original. They have the tech to do it!
Amazing