Will QR Codes Work on iPhone 18? What We Know So Far
Apple's iPhone 18 lineup is expected in September 2026, and it includes some major changes—most notably Apple's first foldable iPhone. If you use QR codes for business, marketing, or personal use, here's what the new devices might mean for scanning and sharing.
What's Coming in the iPhone 18 Lineup
According to MacRumors, Apple is planning a split launch strategy for 2026. The iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone 18 Air, and a new foldable iPhone will arrive in September 2026. The standard iPhone 18 and budget iPhone 18e will follow in Spring 2027.
The foldable iPhone is the biggest news. Reports suggest it will have a 5.3-inch outer display when closed and a 7.6-inch display when open—similar in style to the Samsung Galaxy Fold.
Camera Improvements That Affect QR Scanning
The iPhone 18 Pro models are rumored to include a variable aperture camera, according to CNET. This means the lens can adjust how much light reaches the sensor, similar to DSLR cameras. For QR code scanning, this could improve performance in low-light environments like restaurants, bars, or dimly lit event venues.
Apple is also expected to upgrade the front-facing camera to 24 megapixels across all iPhone 18 models (up from 18 megapixels). While this primarily affects selfies, it signals continued investment in camera quality overall.
The A20 chip, built on TSMC's 2nm process, is reported to be up to 15% faster and 30% more efficient than current chips. Faster processing means QR code recognition in the Camera app should be nearly instant.
The Foldable iPhone and QR Codes
The foldable iPhone introduces two scanning scenarios. When closed, you can use the compact 5.3-inch outer display for quick scans. When open, the larger 7.6-inch display provides more room for viewing QR code destinations—useful for menus, event information, or detailed landing pages.
MacRumors reports the foldable will have both an under-display camera on the inner screen and a standard hole-punch camera on the outer display, so scanning should work in either mode.
Will Your Current QR Codes Still Work?
Yes. QR codes are a universal standard that works across all devices with a camera. Every QR code you create today with QR Code Better will work on iPhone 18, the foldable iPhone, and any future device Apple releases.
If you're using dynamic QR codes, you won't need to change anything—your codes will continue to work and you can still update destinations anytime without reprinting.
Preparing Your QR Codes for 2026
To make sure your QR codes perform well on newer devices:
- Use dynamic QR codes – Update destinations without reprinting if anything changes
- Choose high error correction – Ensures reliable scanning across different cameras
- Test on multiple devices – Verify scanning works before large print runs
- Design for visibility – Good contrast and appropriate sizing matter more than device specs
With QR Code Better, you can track scans, see which devices people use, and update your codes anytime—so you'll have real data on how iPhone 18 users interact with your codes once they launch.
Digital Business Cards and iPhone 18
If you use QR codes to share contact information, consider pairing them with a digital business card. vCard Garden lets you create digital business cards that work on any device. When someone scans your QR code, they see your full contact details, social links, and can save directly to their phone—whether they're on an iPhone 18, an older iPhone, or Android.