Apple iPhone 18 Pro: What is known so far
Apple’s iPhone development plan extends several years into the future, and the company continuously works with suppliers on multiple consecutive iPhone models simultaneously. Therefore, rumors about features often surface months before the official launch. The iPhone 18 series is no exception, and we already have a good idea of what to expect from the Apple iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
It’s worth noting that Apple is reportedly planning a fundamental change to its iPhone release cycle this year, intending to launch the products in two phases, starting with the iPhone 18 series. This means that the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the iPhone Fold will be released in September 2026, followed by the iPhone 18 and the iPhone 18e in spring 2027.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro design
Rumours suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro series will adopt the design of the iPhone 17 Pro models. The rear camera system is expected to be the same as the current generation and will feature a raised platform with three lenses arranged in a triangle. Display sizes are also expected to remain unchanged: The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will continue to use 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch panels, respectively – the same dimensions as the iPhone 16 Pro series.
The iPhone 18 Pro models could also feature the two-tone back of the iPhone 17 Pro. Apple has apparently optimized the glass back replacement process for the next generation to minimize the color difference between the Ceramic Shield 2 glass and the aluminum frame, thus achieving a more harmonious overall appearance.
Next-generation battery life
According to a Chinese leaker, the iPhone 18 Pro Max will be equipped with a larger battery, thus continuing to offer excellent battery life. Weibo user “Digital Chat Station” stated that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a battery capacity of 5,100 to 5,200 mAh. The iPhone 17 Pro Max with a capacity of 5,088 mAh boasts the largest iPhone battery to date. Apple claims a battery life of up to 39 hours.
Another rumor suggests that the iPhone 18 Pro Max’s casing will be slightly thicker than that of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, increasing its weight to approximately 243 grams. This would make the iPhone 18 Pro Max about 3 grams heavier than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, currently the heaviest Apple model. A larger battery is the most likely reason for this.
Smaller Dynamic Island – Face ID under the display?
Rumors continue to circulate about whether the iPhone 18 Pro models will introduce in-display Face ID, but reports on when this technology will actually be available vary. This feature would move the TrueDepth camera system under the display, thus eliminating the need for the current notch for the Dynamic Island.
According to Wayne Ma from The Information, Apple is planning a design without Dynamic Island and instead a single punch-hole camera in the upper left corner of the screen. However, other sources contradict this statement. Display analyst Ross Young believes Face ID under the display is possible for the iPhone 18 Pro, but assumes that the Dynamic Island will be smaller.
Mark Gurman from Bloomberg confirms this view, reporting that the new models will feature a slimmer Dynamic Island rather than removing it entirely. Apple is also said to be testing new camera miniaturization technologies to reduce the size of the front-facing camera currently housed within the Dynamic Island.
The Weibo leaker Ice Universe claimed that the notch for the dynamic display of the iPhone 18 Pro models will be about 35% narrower than that of the iPhone 17 Pro models. Specifically, it is said to have a width of around 13.5 mm, compared to around 20.7 mm on the previous model.
Meanwhile, the Chinese leaker Instant Digital has another version. According to this version, the Dynamic Island will be smaller, but the Face ID and camera technology under the display will not be introduced this year. Currently, it is said that Apple is considering two options for the iPhone 18 Pro’s Dynamic Island, but a final decision is still pending. One option apparently retains the existing display shape of the iPhone 17 Pro, while the other envisions a significantly smaller “Mini Dynamic Island,” made possible by moving the Face ID receiver and transmitter components under the display.
A20 Pro chip manufactured using a 2 nm process
The iPhone 18 Pro models will be equipped with Apple’s A20 chip, manufactured using TSMC’s 2nm process, resulting in greater energy efficiency and lower power consumption. The switch to the 2nm manufacturing process increases transistor density, enabling higher performance. The A20 series is expected to offer approximately 15 percent faster speed and about 30 percent better efficiency compared to the A19 series used in Apple’s iPhone 17 models.
Apple’s A20 chip is manufactured using TSMC’s wafer-level multi-chip module (WMCM) technology. This suggests that in some A20 chips, the memory will be integrated directly onto the same wafer as the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine, rather than being located next to the chip and connected via a silicon interposer. This could lead to higher performance in both general-purpose and Apple Intelligence tasks and contribute to longer battery life thanks to improved energy efficiency.
C2 modem
According to the supply chain analyst Jeff Pu Apple plans to include its next-generation C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro models. The chip will replace the C1 modem, which is used in the more affordable iPhone 16e as Apple’s first in-house cellular modem, as well as the C1X modem chip in the iPhone Air, which Apple claims is up to twice as fast as the C1. The C2 is expected to offer higher speeds, improved energy efficiency, and support for mmWave 5G in the US – a feature lacking in the C1 and C1X.
Apple’s modem roadmap is part of a long-term strategy to reduce its reliance on Qualcomm, the current supplier of 5G modems for other iPhone models. The company has been working for years on developing its own mobile chips with the goal of deeper integration and better control over power management and performance.
New camera sensor from Samsung
Samsung is working on a new, three-layer image sensor, reportedly intended for the iPhone 18. The sensor, codenamed PD-TR-Logic, integrates three circuit layers designed to improve camera responsiveness, reduce noise, and increase dynamic range. The information comes from a source called Jukanlosreve, which claims the sensor is being developed specifically for Apple’s 2026 iPhone lineup. Sony has long been Apple’s sole image sensor supplier, so Samsung’s entry would represent a significant shift in the iPhone camera supply chain.
Variable aperture
Reports indicate that Apple is planning to equip this year’s iPhone 18 Pro models with a variable aperture. The Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station claims that the main rear camera – the so-called 48-megapixel Fusion camera – will feature a variable aperture on both iPhone 18 Pro models. This would be a first for the iPhone. A variable aperture system physically adjusts the lens opening to let in more light for low-light photography or to narrow the opening for brighter scenes and greater depth of field.
The main cameras of the iPhone 15 Pro, the iPhone 16 Pro and 17 Pro all use a fixed aperture of ƒ/1.78, where the aperture is permanently set to its largest opening. With a variable aperture, the iPhone 18 Pro would allow users to manually adjust the aperture, similar to a DSLR camera. This would enable more precise control over depth of field, allowing for sharper focus on subjects or smoother background blur. (Industry analyst) Ming Chi Kuo predicted in November 2024 that Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro models would receive this feature.
5G satellite internet
According to a report by The Information, Apple plans to introduce support for 5G networks as early as next year, which operate via satellites instead of cell towers. This advancement would enable future iPhones to have not only limited emergency functions, but also full internet connectivity via satellite.
If Apple meets its 2026 target, the first devices with 5G satellite internet would likely be the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the long-awaited foldable iPhone. Apple is working with Globalstar for the iPhone’s satellite capabilities, but currently, no provider delivers full-fledged 5G satellite internet directly to a smartphone. The report also doesn’t name a future provider.
Simplified camera control
Reports indicate that Apple is working on simplifying the camera control button on the iPhone 18 models to reduce costs. The current camera control button on the iPhone 17 models uses capacitive and pressure sensors beneath a sapphire glass surface. The capacitive layer detects touch gestures, while the pressure sensor recognizes different levels of pressure for tapping, pressing, and swiping.
According to Instant Digital, Apple will remove the capacitive sensor layer in the second-generation iPhone 18, retaining only pressure sensitivity to implement all camera control functions. This simplified version isn’t about reducing the button’s functionality, but rather about cost savings. The current solution is reportedly very expensive for Apple and results in high repair costs.
New colors
In February 2026, Mark Gurman of Bloomberg reported that Apple is testing a deep red color variant for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Rumors about purple and brown shades also circulated, but Gurman suspects these are simply variations of the same red idea.
The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max were already available in deep purple, and Apple has never released an iPhone in a true brown shade. According to a Chinese leaker, the iPhone 18 Pro models will not be available in black this year Should the rumor prove true, it would be the second year in a row that Apple has dispensed with what is arguably the most classic color option for the Pro series.
