Samsung might respond to the iPhone 18 Pro by taking inspiration from the Galaxy S9 camera

Published: Dec 16, 2025, 6:27 PM 

Apple wields significant influence over the smartphone market, and even when it delays the introduction of certain features, the entire industry tends to follow its example. To keep pace with the iPhone 18 Pro, Samsung may need to revisit its past innovations.

Samsung is experimenting with variable aperture cameras as a response to the iPhone 18 Pro.

Reports suggest that Samsung is exploring variable aperture camera designs for its devices. According to a leak from Digital Chat Station, the company is investigating this technology in reaction to the iPhone 18 Pro, which is rumored to include a variable aperture camera. Additionally, the leaker mentioned that Samsung is testing a wide-screen foldable, potentially in response to Apple’s rumored iPhone Fold, which could lead to the launch of a Wide version of the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

A Throwback for Samsung 

If the rumor holds true, Samsung may only need to look back at its own history, as the Galaxy S9 was the first smartphone globally to feature a dual-aperture camera. This innovation allowed the device to switch between f/1.5 and f/2.4 apertures based on lighting conditions. Unfortunately, this feature was phased out with the Galaxy S20 and has not been used since.

While the Xiaomi 14 Ultra included an f/1.6-4.0 automatic variable aperture, this feature was removed in the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. Huawei, on the other hand, has several models with variable aperture cameras, including its latest foldable, the Mate X7, and across all models in the Mate 80 series.

Earlier this year, there were rumors that Samsung might reintroduce the variable aperture lens in the Galaxy S26 Ultra camera. However, these rumors were never confirmed, making it more plausible that the feature might return in the Galaxy S27 Ultra, which could be released a few months after the iPhone 18 Pro.

Copy of a Copy

Smartphone brands are always striving to maintain their edge, so it's no surprise that Samsung is considering revisiting a technology it once pioneered. My hope is that, whoever adopts variable aperture technology, it’s used to genuinely enhance photo quality rather than just to keep pace with competitors.