Code in the iOS 27 beta points to five Camera app features that could arrive with new iPhone models or in a future software update, according to discoveries by forum member ‘pdfu’.
What the beta code reveals
The first feature is exposure scopes: the Camera app can display a waveform or histogram to help judge exposure while shooting. A histogram shows how much of the image is too dark, too bright, or in between, while a waveform provides similar information aligned with where those areas sit in the frame.
Next, the code references focus peaking and highlight warnings as overlays on the camera preview. Focus peaking highlights the edges of whatever is in sharp focus using a colored outline. A separate overlay would warn when part of the image is getting overexposed, using a solid color, a pulsing color, diagonal stripes, or a checkerboard pattern.
The beta also includes repeated self-timer shots: the ability to take several timed photos in a row rather than just one. After each shot the countdown would start again immediately, allowing back-to-back timed captures without waiting for a photo to finish saving.
A manual focus control has appeared in testing, allowing users to set and lock focus rather than relying solely on autofocus. The code is similar to the manual focus control available in Apple’s Final Cut Camera app. A version with a focus slider existed in iOS 26 but that slider was removed in iOS 27 beta 1; the underlying focus-locking code remains but Apple has restricted it to devices that ship with iOS 27 or later, so it will not work on any current iPhone.
iPhone 18 Pro and variable aperture
The beta also includes aperture-based image correction. iOS 27 can adjust lens corrections depending on the aperture setting, blending between up to four reference points to smooth results. The presence of this capability is notable because the iPhone 18 Pro is widely expected to offer a variable aperture main camera, suggesting at least some of these features could arrive with the new models.
None of the five features are accessible to users in the current betas, and Apple could still withhold some or all of them from the September release. The findings follow forum member ‘pdfu”s recent code discoveries covering unreleased game controllers, a four-speaker HomePod surround system, and new Apple Watch details.
