Highlights
- Leak via diagnostics log suggests iPhone 18 Pro Max will debut with a Sony IMX905 primary sensor featuring variable aperture support.
- Other cameras are expected to remain unchanged including IMX973 telephoto, IMX972 ultra‑wide, IMX591 LiDAR and IMX914 front camera.
- The launch is tipped for September 2026 with reports of a possible $200 price increase.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 series in September 2026 with the lineup likely to include the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Ultra. Ahead of the anticipated launch, a fresh leak has shed more light on the camera hardware of the top-end model. According to an exclusive report by Notebookcheck, a leaked diagnostics log has reiterated earlier claims about the iPhone 18 Pro Max receiving a new primary camera sensor with variable aperture support.
iPhone 18 Pro Max – Diagnostics Log Reveals Camera Details
The report states that the diagnostics log is part of a collection of internal Tata Electronics files that were leaked online in June by the ransomware group World Leaks. The log reportedly confirms Apple’s planned camera hardware changes and supports an earlier Notebookcheck report published in early July.
One of the biggest revelations is the inclusion of a Sony IMX905 primary camera sensor, which is said to replace the sensor used in the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Although the sensor retains the same 1.22μm pixel size, the upgrade is reportedly centred around the addition of a variable aperture rather than an increase in sensor size.
The diagnostics log also reportedly includes a calibration block containing actuator data stored in the sensor’s non-volatile memory, which is said to confirm support for the variable aperture mechanism.
While several Android smartphone manufacturers have already adopted variable aperture technology, it would mark the first time an iPhone is equipped with the feature.
iPhone 18 Pro Max – Other Cameras Expected to Remain Unchanged
According to the leaked diagnostics log, the remaining camera hardware is expected to carry over from the iPhone 17 Pro Max without any major changes.
The smartphone is tipped to retain the Sony IMX973 telephoto sensor, Sony IMX972 ultra-wide sensor, Sony IMX591 LiDAR receiver, and Sony IMX914 front-facing camera.
The report also mentions that the telephoto camera features 0.7μm native pixels, which can be combined into 1.4μm pixels through pixel binning. It is also expected to continue using a 3-axis spherical actuator for gimbal-style optical image stabilisation (OIS), similar to the previous generation.
The latest leak also backs earlier reports claiming that Apple has been testing variable aperture technology for both the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to launch alongside the rest of the iPhone 18 series in September 2026. Previous reports have also suggested that Apple could increase the Pro Max’s price by around $200, partly due to rising camera component and memory production costs.
