Apple tests clip-on teleconverter accessory for iPhone 18 Pro

Apple is reportedly exploring the launch of its own teleconverter accessory for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro, MacRumors reports, citing Chinese leaker Smart Pikachu.

The accessory is described as a detachable lens resembling a small monocular. Similar optional solutions already exist for flagship models such as the vivo X200 Ultra, X300 Pro, OPPO Find X9 Pro, and ZTE Nubia Z80 Ultra. Until now, teleconverter accessories for the iPhone have largely been produced by third-party brands and remained a niche product for photography enthusiasts.

Using a teleconverter is an effective way to improve image quality when shooting distant subjects. By optically extending the focal length, it reduces the need for digital cropping, helping preserve image detail at medium and long ranges.

MacRumors notes that the teleconverter is still in the internal evaluation phase. Engineers are assessing the practicality of the accessory, meaning it may never make it into a final product.

By contrast, the introduction of a variable aperture is described by insiders as largely settled. A variable aperture would allow the physical opening of the lens to change, controlling how much light reaches the sensor. Adjusting the aperture would also make it possible to manage depth of field, including reducing background blur when needed.