Why does the iPhone 18 Pro camera have tiny blades inside it?

The six blades create a real variable aperture, giving the camera optical control over incoming light and depth of field.

1. Use the wide f/1.48 setting in dim scenes or when you want natural subject separation.
2. Use a narrower opening toward f/4 in bright light or when more of a group, product, or landscape should stay sharp.
3. For video, use aperture to balance exposure while keeping shutter speed near the motion look you want.
4. Compare the optical result before adding Portrait-mode blur; software can refine edges, but it cannot recreate every natural lens cue.