Samsung revives variable aperture cameras: A new weapon to directly challenge the iPhone.

Samsung is relaunching its Variable Aperture camera project, a technology that was a highlight of the Galaxy S9 series launched in 2018. This move is seen as a strategic step to upgrade hardware photography capabilities, helping the company's future high-end smartphones increase their competitiveness against rival Apple.

Efforts to upgrade hardware to compete with Apple.

According to a report from ETNews, the South Korean electronics giant has asked its suppliers to begin researching and developing camera modules capable of variable aperture. This decision stems from increasing competitive pressure in the high-end smartphone market, especially as Apple's iPhones continuously improve image quality through a combination of hardware and algorithms.

The return to variable aperture technology shows that Samsung is focusing on optimizing the physical properties of the lens rather than relying solely on software processing. This helps the device maintain its leading position in terms of specifications and real-world user experience in a market saturated with AI features.

The technical advantages of variable aperture on mobile devices.

Variable aperture offers two core benefits for mobile photography: light control and depth of field (DoF) adjustment. In bright light, narrowing the aperture prevents overexposure, preserving better detail in highlights. Conversely, in low-light conditions, a larger aperture allows more light to reach the sensor, reducing noise and improving image quality.

Notably, this technology allows for the creation of natural-looking bokeh effects using optics instead of digital blurring algorithms. This helps to more accurately separate the subject from the background, avoiding the blurring often seen in software-based portrait modes. Compared to 2018, experts believe that current manufacturing capabilities allow for the creation of variable aperture camera modules that are more compact, more durable, and significantly cheaper to produce.

Expected to appear on future Galaxy S models.

Although the project has been launched, this technology is unlikely to appear immediately on upcoming models. Analysts predict that Samsung may integrate variable aperture cameras into generations such as the Galaxy S27 or Galaxy S28. This is the appropriate time for the company to finalize its supply chain and ensure the stability of the new component.

Besides developing the camera, Samsung is also reportedly improving high-resolution sensors to work seamlessly with the new aperture system. The combination of 200MP resolution and the ability to physically adjust the aperture promises to deliver a leap in image quality for Samsung's flagships in the coming years.