Apple may add a large number of professional shooting features to the iPhone’s default camera app. Focus peaking, a histogram, a waveform monitor and manual focus, features typically found on professional cameras, were discovered in internal iOS 27 code, raising attention to whether the scope of manual control on the iPhone camera will expand significantly.

On Sept. 8 local time, IT outlets 9to5Mac and TechRadar reported that the camera app code in the iOS 27 beta contained entries related to advanced shooting features that are not currently enabled. The code, found by a developer known as 'pdfu', included a histogram, waveform, focus peaking, highlight clipping warnings and manual focus.

Histograms and waveforms are tools that let users visually check brightness and exposure status on the shooting screen. They are useful in situations where exposure is hard to judge from the screen alone, such as in strong sunlight or dark environments. Highlight clipping warnings mark areas that are so bright that details may be lost, helping prevent overexposure. A feature similar to a professional camera's 'zebra' display could be applied.

Focus controls are also expected to change significantly. Focus peaking highlights in-focus areas in color, allowing users to easily see what is sharp. The iPhone’s default camera app already lets users lock focus and exposure by pressing and holding on a specific area, but the code also showed signs of tests for a 'manual focus' function that lets users adjust the focus position directly with a slider.

Automatic shooting features may also be strengthened. Rather than taking a single photo after setting a timer, a function that takes multiple photos continuously at set intervals was mentioned. It is expected to be useful when the iPhone is mounted on a tripod to take group photos or selfies in multiple shots.

A clue linked to hardware changes in the iPhone 18 Pro lineup also emerged. The code is reported to include a function that adjusts lens correction methods depending on aperture values. That ties in with earlier observations that a variable aperture could be included in some lenses on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Still, the code discovery does not mean the features will be officially included. The functions are not actually enabled in the current iOS 27 beta, and Apple could change or remove them before release. Some functions may assume new hardware such as a variable aperture, and supported models could also be limited.

Apple has run the default camera app with a focus on simple shooting, while third-party apps have often been used for professional photo and video work. If these features are applied, users would be able to directly control exposure and focus in the default camera app, and the iPhone shooting experience itself is expected to become more professional.

Apple is set to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro lineup and the iPhone Ultra on Sept. 9, and attention is focused on whether the camera features spotted this time will be applied to the new products.