New dummy units for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max suggest Apple is planning a thicker rear camera plateau and more prominent lens bumps for its upcoming flagship smartphones.

Key Points

• Dummy units indicate the iPhone 18 Pro Max camera plateau will increase in thickness to 11.54mm, up from 11.23mm on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
• The iPhone 18 Pro models may introduce a variable aperture for the main camera, allowing users to manually adjust light intake and depth of field.
• Reports suggest the telephoto lens will feature a larger aperture to improve performance in low-light environments.
• Apple is reportedly testing a new three-layer stacked image sensor developed by Samsung to enhance responsiveness and dynamic range.
• The new devices are expected to launch in mid-September alongside Apple's first foldable iPhone model.

Why it Matters

These design changes suggest Apple is prioritizing advanced optical hardware over the industry trend toward flush camera modules. If confirmed, these enhancements could significantly improve mobile photography capabilities, though they may also necessitate new accessory designs for future users.