Teardown Reveals the Mechanical Camera Features of the iPhone 18 Pro

iFixit’s recent teardown dives into the intricate design of the new variable aperture lens featured in the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, highlighting some important repair considerations. This innovative mechanical iris operates magnetically, adjusting the light intake to the sensor with six ultra-thin, leaf-like blades, each about the thickness of a human hair.

The impressive feat of fitting this mechanism into the same camera space as the iPhone 17 Pro series is noteworthy, with iFixit calling it “a feat of precision engineering.” However, our review of the iPhone 18 Pro noted that the improvements in photography were “generally marginal,” meaning casual photographers might not even perceive a difference.

The downside is that if the mechanism fails, repairs are likely out of reach for most users. Fixing it would require specialized tools and expertise that are rare, making it nearly “impossible” to repair, according to iFixit. Consequently, users may need to replace the entire camera assembly, which is relatively easy to access. While Apple hasn’t yet released parts for the latest models, the iPhone 17 Pro camera assembly costs $249, suggesting that the advanced variable aperture lens will likely raise repair costs for the 18 Pro and Pro Max.