·Samsung

Variable Aperture Cameras Poised for a Comeback, with Samsung and Apple Leading the Charge

A significant shift may be on the horizon for smartphone photography. According to a recent report from Korean media outlet Etnews, industry insiders have revealed that Samsung Electro-Mechanics is actively seeking to supply variable aperture camera modules to Chinese smartphone manufacturers. This move signals a potential resurgence of a technology that offers photographers greater creative control, a feature largely absent from today's flagship devices.

The same sources indicate that Samsung Electronics is not only looking to supply other brands but is also considering reintroducing variable aperture cameras in its own high-end smartphones slated for release in the second half of next year. This development suggests a renewed industry-wide interest in pushing the boundaries of mobile imaging beyond software enhancements.

For those unfamiliar, an aperture is a mechanism within a camera lens that adjusts to control light exposure and depth of field. A larger aperture creates a shallow depth of field, resulting in a blurred background (bokeh) that makes the subject stand out. Conversely, a smaller aperture keeps both the foreground and background sharp. Most smartphone cameras have a fixed aperture, permanently set to its widest opening, which limits photographic flexibility. While some manufacturers like Xiaomi and Huawei have implemented this technology in select models, it has yet to become a mainstream feature.

Interestingly, Samsung has experimented with this before. The company included variable aperture in its Galaxy S9 (2018) and Galaxy S10 (2019) series but abandoned it with the Galaxy S20. At the time, the technology was deemed a niche feature that added cost and thickness to the camera module, especially when software-based portrait modes offered a convenient alternative. It was considered a technology that was “tasteless to eat, but a pity to throw away.”

So, why the change of heart? As mobile camera sensors (CMOS) have grown larger, a fixed wide aperture has become a limitation, making it difficult to capture clear group photos or text. Furthermore, a growing number of users find the bokeh produced by software algorithms to be unnatural. This has pushed manufacturers to reconsider the hardware-based solution that variable aperture provides. An industry expert noted, “There are limits to improving night photography performance with software algorithms alone, and manufacturers are reintroducing variable apertures to enhance their competitiveness in mobile imaging.”

The trend might not be limited to the Android ecosystem. Sources also suggest that Apple is studying whether to introduce a variable aperture in its iPhone lineup. With the 20th anniversary of the iPhone approaching next year, the company is reportedly considering a “major upgrade,” and this could be a key feature. The potential return of variable aperture technology by major players like Samsung and Apple could mark the next evolutionary step in the quest for professional-grade photography on our phones.

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