A first for Apple! iPhone 18 Pro's variable-aperture actuator reportedly enters mass production

What's reported

It has been reported that the variable‑aperture actuator destined for Apple (苹果)'s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro has entered mass production — a potential first for the company if confirmed. The claim appears alongside a flurry of other leaks published on Chinese platforms and reposted by blogger Majin, who also shared industrial‑mold images suggesting a surprise change to Apple’s foldable strategy: the rumored iPhone Fold may omit a MagSafe charging coil while the iPhone 18 Pro series will reportedly keep magnetic wireless charging as standard.

Majin’s images and the ifeng summary also include core spec leaks: the Fold is said to use an A20 Pro flagship chip built on TSMC (台积电)'s 2nm process with 12GB of RAM and dual 48MP sensors, positioning it as a performance workhorse for large‑screen multitasking. It has been reported that the Fold’s starting price could exceed $2,000, with top configurations approaching $3,000 — potentially the priciest iPhone in Apple’s history.

Why it matters

Why drop MagSafe on the fanciest model while keeping it on the Pro line? The split will irritate long‑time Apple fans who see MagSafe as a central part of the ecosystem. And if Apple is indeed moving to variable‑aperture hardware at scale, it signals a greater emphasis on camera innovation across its Pro lineup — a hardware upgrade that could matter more to photographers than the absence of a magnetic charging ring on a foldable.

Context and caveats

All of these details remain leaks and should be read with caution: it has been reported that the actuator mass‑production claim and the mold photos are unverified. There is broader geopolitical context too — advanced nodes at TSMC (台积电) and high‑end component supply are subject to shifting U.S. export controls and China‑U.S. tech tensions, factors that could affect timelines and availability. Apple’s final design and pricing decisions will be clear only at its official launch, reportedly scheduled alongside the iPhone 18 family.