Apple iPhone 18 Pro: What is known so far
There are only four months until the launch of Apple’s next-generation premium smartphone line, and although we don’t expect any fundamental changes in terms of functionality, there are still rumors about some improvements expected in the 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, launching the products in two phases, starting with the iPhone 18 series. This means that the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the long-awaited foldable iPhone Ultra will be released in September 2026, followed by the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e in spring 2027.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Design
Rumors suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will largely retain the design of the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. Most rumors indicate that the rear camera system will be the same as the current generation, featuring a raised platform with three lenses arranged in a triangle. However, more recent dummy models suggest a possible thicker platform and protrusion of the individual lenses.
The display sizes are also expected to remain unchanged: The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will continue to use the 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch panels, respectively, introduced with the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. The iPhone 18 Pro models may abandon the two-tone back of the iPhone 17 Pro in favor of a more uniform look. Apple has apparently optimized the back-replacement process to minimize the color difference between the Ceramic Shield 2 glass and the aluminum frame, resulting in a more harmonious overall appearance.
Battery
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 Pro Max will have a battery capacity of 5,100 to 5,200 mAh. The iPhone 17 Pro Max currently boasts the largest iPhone battery at 5,088 mAh. Apple claims a battery life of up to 39 hours.
Another rumor suggests the casing will be slightly thicker than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, increasing the 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.
Dynamic Island / Face ID Under 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 of The Information, Apple is planning a design without the Dynamic Island and will instead use a single punch-hole camera in the upper left corner of the screen. However, other sources contradict this statement. Display analyst Ross Young believes under-display Face ID is possible for the iPhone 18 Pro, but expects the Dynamic Island to be smaller. Mark Gurman of Bloomberg confirms this view, reporting that the new models will have a slimmer Dynamic Island rather than removing it entirely. Apple is also reportedly testing new camera miniaturization technologies to reduce the size of the front-facing camera currently housed in the Dynamic Island.
Weibo leaker Ice Universe claims that the notch for the iPhone 18 Pro’s display will be about 35% narrower than the iPhone 17 Pro’s. Specifically, it is said to be only about 13.5 mm wide, compared to around 20.7 mm on the previous model.
Meanwhile, Chinese leaker Instant Digital has published another version of events. According to them, the Dynamic Island will be smaller, but the Face ID and camera technology under the display will no longer 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.
LTPO+ Display
Rumors suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro models will feature LTPO+ display technology, which is expected to be more energy-efficient than the previous LTPO technology used in the iPhone 17 series. This upgrade could also contribute to longer battery life, as LTPO+ allows for more precise control of OLED light emission, potentially enabling the display to adapt its performance to ambient conditions. In other words, it will be better able to detect when to increase or decrease screen brightness based on ambient light sources. The panels are expected to be supplied by Samsung Display and LG Display.
A20 Pro Chipset
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 contribute to improved performance in both general-purpose tasks and Apple Intelligence, as well as longer battery life through enhanced energy efficiency.
C2 Modem
According to 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 debuted 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 both 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 its 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
Samsung is working on a new, three-layer image sensor, reportedly intended for the iPhone 18. Called PD-TR-Logic, the sensor integrates three circuit layers designed to improve camera responsiveness, reduce noise, and increase dynamic range. The information comes from a source named “Jukanlosreve,” who 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 plans to equip this year’s iPhone 18 Pro models with a variable aperture. Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station claims that the main rear camera—Apple’s 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 on the iPhone 15 Pro, 16 Pro, and 17 Pro all use a fixed aperture of ƒ/1.78, where the aperture is permanently set to its largest opening. A variable aperture on 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 just limited emergency functions, but full internet connectivity via satellite.
If Apple meets its 2026 target, the first devices with 5G satellite internet are expected to be the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the long-awaited foldable iPhone. Apple is partnering with Globalstar for the iPhone’s satellite capabilities, but currently, no service delivers full-fledged 5G satellite internet directly to a smartphone. However, Amazon and Globalstar announced a definitive merger agreement in April, under which Amazon will acquire the satellite operator. Amazon’s Leo satellite network will support existing iPhone features, with the potential to add more functionality as part of an upcoming infrastructure upgrade.
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 the Weibo account Instant Digital, Apple will remove the capacitive sensor layer in the second generation of the iPhone 18, retaining only pressure sensitivity to implement all camera control functions. This simplified version is not 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.
We don’t expect the camera controls to disappear anytime soon – Apple apparently considers them a key feature, so much so that they have reportedly made deliberate technical compromises to ensure that the first foldable iPhone has this button.
New Colors
In February 2026, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple was testing a deep red color scheme for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Rumors of purple and brown versions also circulated, but Gurman suggested these were simply variations on the same red concept. Since then, consistent rumors have indicated that the devices will be available in light blue, dark cherry, dark gray, and silver.
The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max were previously available in dark purple, and Apple has never released an iPhone in a true shade of brown. According to a Chinese leaker, the iPhone 18 Pro models will not be available in black this year. If the rumor proves true, it would be the second year in a row that Apple has forgone what is arguably the most classic color option for the Pro series.
