Some iPhone 18 Pro users are reporting unusual green patches and light artifacts in photos.
In some cases, users say the issue does not appear in the camera preview. It becomes visible only after the image is saved.
Variable Aperture Under Scrutiny
The iPhone 18 Pro features a variable aperture on its main camera. It can switch between f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8 and f/4.0.
Apple says the widest f/1.48 setting allows more light into the camera. The default f/1.8 setting is designed to balance low-light performance and depth of field.
Independent testing by Mediastorm also found noticeable lens flare when using the widest aperture.
Strong light entering the lens from the side created large unwanted light areas in photographs. Closing the aperture toward f/4 significantly reduced the effect.
However, this does not prove that the reported green patches are caused by the variable aperture. Lens flare can have several causes.
Apple Has Yet to Confirm the Problem
Jiemian News contacted Apple support about the reports. The company said it had not received user reports about the issue at that time.
Apple has not announced a repair program or software update specifically targeting the reported camera behavior.
It is also too early to determine whether the issue is a hardware defect affecting iPhone 18 Pro devices generally.
The available testing only shows that strong lens flare can occur under certain conditions. It does not establish how common the problem is across different devices.
More Testing Needed
Lens flare is a common issue in smartphone photography. Bright light sources, especially at night, can create reflections and unwanted artifacts.
The iPhone 18 Pro’s variable aperture provides greater control over light. However, early testing suggests the widest f/1.48 aperture may produce stronger flare in certain situations.
Apple has not confirmed a connection between the green patches and the variable aperture. Further testing and an official response will be needed to determine the exact cause.
