iPhone 18 Pro: Everything We Know So Far

There is still plenty of time before the official announcement of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, as the presentation is expected only in September 2026. Nevertheless, enough information has already accumulated online to form a picture of the upcoming new releases. We have gathered all the most credible rumors and leaks from authoritative insiders for you.

Last updated: 01/25/2026

This article focuses exclusively on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Everything written here applies specifically to these two models.

Why? First, almost all information coming from insiders is related to them. Second, as Bloomberg reports, in 2026 Apple will reportedly release only the Pro versions for the first time in its history, pushing the base models to the spring of 2027.

iPhone 18 Pro Design: What Will the New Product Look Like?

Let’s clarify this right away: there are no real photos of the iPhone 18 Pro or its prototypes on the internet yet. Everything you might have seen online, including in our article, consists of concept renders or photos of current models.

However, there are reports from insiders explaining what the future iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will look like. They expect three key design differences:

• Compact Dynamic Island. The “Island” refers to the cutout on the iPhone screen. In the 18 Pro, it will reportedly shrink significantly in size, or even turn into just a hole for the front camera, moving to the left edge of the gadget;
• Unified Back Panel Style. Apple will once again try to make the back of the iPhone solid-colored rather than two-toned, as it became in the current generation due to the combination of different materials. This is reported by GSMArena, citing a Chinese primary source;
• New Chassis Colors. The orange color in the iPhone 17 family found quite a few fans, and Apple is allegedly preparing even more experiments for the iPhone 18 Pro. In particular, insiders mention Bordeaux and coffee colors. These have not been seen before. As a bonus, the purple option will return, although not quite the same as before.

The new colors might look like this:

Presumed colors of the iPhone 18 Pro, superimposed in a graphics editor onto the body of current iPhone 17 Pro models.

Information about these comes from the respected publication MacRumors, citing Chinese insider Instant Digital. He has a track record of accurate forecasts regarding the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, including battery capacity, memory size, design, and the new cooling system. Although, the author was slightly off in predicting the price of the iPhone 17 Pro.

However, even if the insider somehow learned the real colors, concept images may convey them quite inaccurately. Instant Digital also stated that in 2026, the iPhone 18 Pro will again lack a black color option.

As for the key element—the hole in the screen—insiders agree that it will change for the first time since 2022. However, authors argue about exactly how.

The resource 9to5Mac, quoting a paywalled report from The Information, states that in the iPhone 18 Pro, only the “eye” of the front camera will remain of the Dynamic Island, moving to the top left corner. In that case, the new iPhones could look like this:

New iPhone 18 Pro design, illustration based on data from The Information.

The Information is a reputable publication, but it is opposed by industry analyst Ross Young. He is a display specialist with a number of confirmed leaks. Young believes that in reality, the Dynamic Island in the next iPhones will simply decrease in size, and will only turn into a single cutout in 2028.

Visually, this and other forecasts by Young can be depicted with the following sequence:

Evolution of iPhone appearance 2026–2030 according to display specialist Ross Young.

Interestingly, it was Young’s version that was supported by two well-known Chinese insiders in January 2026. First, Instant Digital stated that the cutout would shrink, but reports about a single front camera on the left are misinformation.

A similar message was published by insider Ice Universe, who provided specific numbers. According to his data, the width of the screen cutout will decrease by 35%: from 20.76 mm in the current iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max to 13.49 mm in the iPhone 18 Pro models. Note that Ice Universe has many confirmed leaks, including accurate specs for the Galaxy S25 flagships.

Thus, Ross Young currently appears to be the favorite with his forecasts. By the way, according to his data, in 2027 iPhone Pro models will become visually bezel-less, and in 2030 they will feature a hidden under-display front camera.

Screens: Unprecedentedly Bright, Non-Chinese, and with LTPO Plus

The screen diagonals of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will remain the same—6.3″ and 6.9″ respectively. This is confirmed by the authoritative Chinese source Digital Chat Station. He cites figures of 6.27″ for the iPhone 18 Pro and 6.86″ for the iPhone 18 Pro Max. This is exactly what the iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max currently offer; Apple simply likes to round values up to 6.3″ and 6.9″.

The screen refresh rate, according to the same author, will remain the same—120 Hz.

Current iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max side by side. Photo: CNET.

Yet the screens themselves will be new. Another reliable insider, Instant Digital, stated that Apple has “unprecedented brightness requirements” for the iPhone 18 displays. Because of this, the largest Chinese manufacturer, BOE, will likely lose orders from Apple.

The new screens with significantly increased brightness will be produced by Korea’s Samsung and LG. In other words, while you can currently find Chinese and Korean screens in the iPhone Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro series will likely remain exclusively Korean.

Why is the extra brightness needed? There are two main scenarios where a smartphone temporarily “maxes out” brightness:

• Outdoors on a sunny day, trying to “outshine” the sun so that visibility doesn’t deteriorate. Battling sunbeams is a difficult task for any screen.
• For high-quality HDR content, including movies, photos, and games. Here, brightness is needed to expand the dynamic range, achieving maximum impact, realism, perceived volume, and contrast of the image.

Display of the current iPhone 17 Pro. Photo: GSMArena.

The fact that the iPhone 18 Pro will not use Chinese displays is also reported by the well-known Korean publication ETNews. According to their report, in addition to outstanding brightness, there is another innovation that Chinese manufacturers have not yet mastered. We are talking about LTPO Plus technology.

LTPO displays appeared back in the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max in 2021. Such screens only reached standard iPhone models four years later with the release of the iPhone 17.

LTPO does not improve picture quality, but it significantly increases iPhone battery life. The idea is simple: instead of constantly refreshing the screen at 60/120 Hz, a smartphone with an LTPO screen can lower the frequency down to 1 Hz when it is not needed.

That is, if a user is looking at static text or a photo, they absolutely do not need 60 or certainly 120 Hz at that moment. However, as soon as any movement occurs on the screen, the frequency of the LTPO display immediately returns to high values. This smart approach saves battery power significantly.

LTPO OLED screen is the battery’s main ally in the fight for battery life. Illustration created with GPT Image 1.5.

The primary source does not report how much better the new LTPO Plus technology will be compared to regular LTPO, but it is not difficult to guess that significant changes could have occurred over five years.

Indirect confirmation of this is precisely the rejection of Chinese screens. Interestingly, five years ago, the first LTPO screens for the iPhone 13 Pro series were also supplied only by Koreans. Chinese manufacturers mastered the technology only years later.

Variable Aperture for the Main Camera

Variable aperture is a contender for the title of the key innovation in the iPhone 18 Pro. For almost two decades, iPhone cameras, like the vast majority of other smartphones, had only a fixed aperture.

Now, the main camera of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will behave like the pupil of the human eye. The aperture will learn to widen when there is a lack of light and narrow when there is an excess. This is reported by a number of sources, including ETNews.

Variable aperture camera in the ZTE Nubia Z70 Ultra. Photo: GSMArena.

Exact aperture values are still unknown, but insiders cite the range f/1.4-f/4.0 as a guideline. Although regarding the latter value, things are ambiguous: Apple patents leaked online (breakdown by Y.M.Cinema at the link), stating that the aperture could even close completely. Currently, no smartphone manufacturer offers this.

As for the variable aperture itself, here is what it gives the user:

• Improved shooting in low light. The extreme value of f/1.4 lets in approximately 65% more light than the current f/1.8. This will allow the iPhone 18 Pro camera to take significantly higher quality, brighter, and less noisy photos at twilight or indoors without using a flash.
• Increased sharpness in bright light. The ability to close the aperture to f/4.0 is useful when shooting on a sunny day. This will avoid overexposure and achieve maximum sharpness throughout the frame, which is especially important for landscape photography.
• Natural optical bokeh effect. A wide-open aperture of f/1.4 creates a beautiful bokeh effect—real, not “clumsy” software background blur, effectively highlighting the main subject in the frame. This is ideal for portrait photography.
• Cinematic video. Currently, in bright sun, a smartphone is forced to shorten the shutter speed greatly, causing movements in the frame to become sharp and “jerky” (strobe effect). A variable aperture will allow closing the lens, reducing the light flow, and shooting with the correct “cinematic” shutter speed. This will provide the smooth motion that professionals usually use bulky ND filters to achieve.
• Creative flexibility. The presence of many intermediate aperture values will give photographers more control over the final result, bringing the smartphone shooting experience closer to using a professional camera.

Curiously, some sites mention the new feature with slight disdain. They say it was already in the Galaxy S9 and S10 flagships about seven years ago, and then the Korean giant simply abandoned it. This is true.

But we are willing to bet that variable aperture will soon return to Samsung smartphones, and the Koreans will definitely remind everyone that they did it first. However, they are unlikely to be able to logically explain its subsequent removal.

A bit of visual theory on how variable aperture works.

Additionally, note that the S9 and S10 relied on a small 1/2.55″ sensor and an f/1.5-2.4 aperture range. In the new iPhone 18 Pro, we expect at least the existing 1/1.28″ sensors. Their area is larger by 297%, that is, almost four times larger than in the old Samsung flagships.

Combine such a large sensor, an f/1.4-f/4.0 range, and Apple’s proprietary algorithms—and you get an extremely powerful combination.

Front and Portrait Camera Updates

The iPhone front camera is awaiting its second consecutive update. In the iPhone 18 Pro, it will receive a resolution of 24 MP instead of the current 18 MP and, likely, an upgrade to other specs. This conclusion was reached by MacRumors authors after studying a specialized report from JPMorgan.

Recall that in the iPhone 17, Apple greatly improved the front camera, which is now based on a unique octagonal sensor instead of the traditional rectangular shape. The resolution grew from 12 to 18 MP.

As a result, users received more convenience, flexibility (cropping), stabilization, as well as detail when shooting. As a bonus, the new Center Stage feature automatically “moves” the frame to follow the user.

The scale of changes to the front camera in the iPhone 17.

Sometimes, after major updates, Apple may not return to a topic for years, but it turns out that in 2026 the front camera will be improved again.

A similar story applies to the portrait camera (telephoto lens). It was heavily updated in the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. The resolution grew from 12 to 48 MP, and the sensor size became about 50% larger. Alas, the telephoto aperture remained the same—f/2.8. And this is perhaps one of the weakest points in the entire camera system of modern iPhone Pros.

Because of f/2.8, it is difficult for the portrait camera to capture high-quality images in poor lighting, especially if there is a lot of movement in the frame. Everything turns out blurry.

Specs of the current portrait module in the iPhone 17 Pro.

Insider Digital Chat Station was the first to report in October that the telephoto lens in the iPhone 18 Pro Max will get an upgrade with a wider aperture than f/2.8. The author did not name specific numbers, but just for understanding:

• Moving to f/2.6 would add 16% more light
• Moving to f/2.4 would add 36% more light
• Moving to f/2.2 would add 62% more light
• Moving to f/2.0 would almost double the amount of captured light (+96%)

Such an innovation will probably be given only a few seconds during the presentation, but in practice, it is very significant.

New Video Recording Capabilities

Other expected innovations concern video shooting. First of all, this is recording in grand 8K resolution. It can provide four times more pixels than the current limit—4K, meaning detail will increase significantly.

In its early years, the iPhone very briskly increased video recording capabilities. The 3GS was the first to learn to create any video at all, the iPhone 4 recorded in HD resolution, the 4s in Full HD, and the iPhone 6S in 2015 could record in 4K. However, we stopped at this point for over 10 years.

Comparison of 8K and 4K by number of pixels and megapixels. Illustration credit: FF Pictures GmbH.

Although 8K TVs and monitors are still extremely rare due to huge prices, the innovation is still important. Even if it’s for “future-proofing.” Moreover, it makes sense not only for ordinary users but also for content creators, as it can give them significantly more tricks in post-processing.

Interestingly, mentions of the ability to shoot in 8K appeared on 9to5Mac shortly before the release of the iPhone 16 Pro. Allegedly, Apple was testing such an option for those models.

Then a similar rumor was spread by PhoneArena citing insider Fixed Focus Digital for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Moreover, in both cases, the primary sources had a positive reputation and gave correct information on other points.

The problem is that 8K shooting is a costly affair in terms of required hardware resources, heat, and battery drain. On the other hand, Android flagships have had 8K recording, albeit with frame rate limitations, for over 5 years.

According to GSMArena data, over 250 Android smartphone models capable of shooting 8K video have already been released. However, none of them can record 8K@60 FPS.

We believe Apple is waiting specifically for the iPhone 18 Pro, which will have 2nm processors and six-channel RAM (more on them below). A reserve of power is needed for recording to go as smoothly as possible and for all accompanying image quality enhancement functions to work.

Another option: the company believes that 256 GB of flash memory in base iPhone Pro and Pro Max models is still too little. After all, 8K will fill them up surprisingly quickly. Therefore, Apple is moving towards equipping even entry-level versions of future iPhone Pros with 512 GB. However, this is just our assumption.

Note that performance and storage are not the only bottlenecks for 8K shooting. There are other shooting scenarios and limitations that future iPhone 18 Pro models could lift:

• Smooth “Cinematic mode” at 60 FPS. Current iPhone 17 Pro models still cannot shoot in “Cinematic mode” (rack focus) with a frame rate higher than 30 FPS at 4K resolution. This has remained unchanged since the iPhone 14 Pro.
• Dual shooting at 60 FPS. The iPhone 17 debuted a dual shooting function on the rear and front cameras. However, it is also limited to 30 frames per second, which is why it cannot produce a smooth picture at 4K resolution.
• Advanced Slo-mo. Slo-mo mode is limited to 240 fps for Full HD and 120 fps for 4K. Until the iPhone 16 Pro, Apple gadgets could not do super slow-motion video in 4K at all.
• Action Mode in 4K. The ability to shoot high-quality action shots in difficult conditions with strong shaking debuted back in 2022 in the iPhone 14 lineup. However, the resolution to this day is cut down to “non-screen” 2.8K.
• Spatial Video in 4K or Full HD@60 FPS. Recording 3D video in current iPhone Pros is limited only to Full HD resolution and 30 frames per second. The 3D recording function itself appeared starting with the iPhone 15 Pro and its limits have remained unchanged since then.

Viewing 3D content shot on iPhone is possible on Apple Vision Pro and some other, more affordable VR headsets.

You can most clearly assess what limitations different iPhone models have on this official page. The “Video Recording” section is located approximately in the middle of the page.

It is noteworthy that some limits on resolution and frame rate do not change for years, although iPhone power is growing. Again, it seems to us that Apple is waiting either for 512 GB flash storage even in entry-level configurations, or for a stronger leap in performance/efficiency than usual. More on that below.

2-Nanometer Processor, WMCM, and New Memory

New processors appear in the iPhone every generation, but a truly big technological leap happens about once every three years thanks to a change in process nodes. Such a leap will be the transition from the 3nm to the 2nm process in A20 Pro chips for the iPhone 18 Pro. The Taiwanese giant TSMC will again be responsible for processor production.

The new technology promises a higher density of transistors, which will ultimately lead to a significant increase in their total number on the chip. How big is the difference?

According to open data on Wikipedia, 2 nm executed by TSMC will be able to offer a transistor density 39.7% higher than the improved 3 nm process (N3P) used to produce current Apple chips.

Wccftech analysts attribute a larger cache and a significant upgrade to the CPU’s efficiency cores to Apple’s new chips.

For the user, this means two key advantages: increased performance and, equally important, noticeably higher energy efficiency. In other words, the iPhone 18 Pro will likely last longer on a single battery charge. And the gain in battery life may not be merely symbolic.

In addition to the transition to 2 nm, A20 Pro processors will differ from their predecessors in another important detail. Specifically, Apple is preparing a transition from the current InFO to a new chip packaging technology called WMCM. Details about this significant change are reported by the specialized resource Wccftech.

If previously the main chip was assembled according to the “one large crystal with adjacent memory” scheme, WMCM allows flexibly placing several crystals in one module at once. For example, the processor, graphics, neural engine, and memory—side by side or in layers.

Due to shorter and wider connections, data exchange between them will be faster. For the user, this means, for example, accelerated processing of photos and videos, games, and local neural networks.

Another advantage will be improved energy efficiency—less energy is lost “on the wires” between crystals, which can positively affect battery life.

Conditional illustration demonstrating the difference between InFO and WMCM. Credit: Wccftech.

New packaging will also allow making the computing block more compact, as some components will move into one module. This will give a little more space for the battery and other systems.

RAM capacity in the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max is expected to remain the same—12 GB. Given the rapidly rising RAM prices, this is somewhat good news.

However, the memory itself will change. iPhone 17 Pro models are equipped with 12 GB of four-channel RAM. In iPhone 18 Pro smartphones, according to insiders, six-channel memory will be used. If Nanoreview is to be believed, Apple made the previous transition from two to four channels in 2022 with the iPhone 14 Pro models.

Thus, four years later, the number of channels will increase by another one and a half times. For the user, this means higher memory bandwidth, which will speed up app launches, high-resolution video processing, and the operation of complex neural network models.

Hope for a Silicon-Carbon Battery

The silicon-carbon battery is an extremely important innovation that could rival variable aperture for the top spot in significance for the iPhone 18 Pro. But why then do we write about the camera at the very beginning, and about the battery closer to the end? The reason is the lack of specifics and only one major source of information.

Right now, some Chinese brands are already selling smartphones with new silicon-carbon batteries. Armed with this technology, impressive 7000-8000+ mAh capacities can be fitted into bodies only about 8 mm thick, which was simply impossible before.

Nothing in the Honor X9d’s appearance betrays the huge 8300 mAh battery, but it’s there.

In other words, the energy storage density there is much higher. And the mentioned 8000 mAh is not yet the limit for the new technology. By the fall of 2026, the numbers from Chinese manufacturers could be higher. And this is not just another marketing trick, but real progress that happened quickly and unexpectedly.

Surprisingly, Apple, like Samsung, found themselves in the role of dramatically lagging behind in this race. Both companies do not use such batteries in their flagships at all, so the limit for them remains around 5000 mAh.

However, work is underway. Back in the fall of 2023, Forbes, citing industry sources, reported that Apple is working on revolutionary batteries. Among other things, the addition of silicon was mentioned there.

Now, more than two years later, another article from the publication on a similar topic is coming out. There are still no specifics on the number of mAh to rely on. But journalists claim that Apple’s first silicon-carbon battery could appear precisely in the iPhone 18 Pro. According to them:

2026 will be the year of battery life for Apple.

And yet, even if Apple really manages to present silicon-carbon batteries in the iPhone 18 Pro, we definitely wouldn’t count on figures like 7000-8000 mAh right away. Most likely, the tech giant’s first step towards the new battery type will be much more restrained due to safety concerns.

Thanks to new batteries, Chinese brands are beating Apple and Samsung in battery life. Screenshot shows tests from GSMArena.

For example, Chinese brands Honor and Huawei started with an increase of only 400-500 mAh in 2023 when they first began unlocking the potential of the new technology. The problem there is that silicon expands when charging, and a carbon “framework” must restrain it.

But let’s get back to the positive side. Even the first “cautious” version of a silicon-carbon battery in the next iPhones should bring noticeable progress. Theoretically, just 500 extra mAh can give the iPhone several bonus hours of battery life at once. Is that bad?

Additionally, for users in colder climates, new batteries are particularly significant. Silicon-carbon batteries perform much more reliably in freezing temperatures, holding a charge well instead of discharging rapidly.

By the way, Forbes adds an interesting detail. In 2025, Apple released the iPhone Air. It did not achieve sales success, and its battery is only 3149 mAh. However, Apple fitted it into a smartphone only 5.5 mm thick, which is technically difficult. Some bloggers even mistakenly thought that this was the silicon-carbon battery.

iPhone Air (top) and iPhone 17 Pro. Photo: PhoneArena.

However, in reality, Apple made a series of engineering decisions, “packing” ~3000+ mAh into a special metal container. It allowed the battery to be unusually close to all walls of the case.

Journalists hint that if ideas from the iPhone Air are combined, the gadget is returned to a thickness of 8-9 mm, and silicon-carbon technology is used, Apple could go from being an outsider to a leader in batteries. The question is only in the company’s speed.

What Else is New in iPhone 18 Pro?

There is information about a significant update to satellite connectivity features, which debuted in 2022 iPhone models. Currently, satellite connectivity still doesn’t work in a number of countries, and where it does exist, the speed is slow and only text messages are supported (initially there was only an SOS signal function).

Recall that some Chinese flagships already allow transmitting photos and audio messages via satellites. However, they are usually limited only to the territory of China itself or nearby areas. Apple has fewer territorial restrictions, but globally, satellite connectivity on the iPhone is not yet available everywhere.

The publication Android Headlines, citing a closed report from The Information, states that Apple wants to add fast 5G satellite connectivity (5G NTN) to future iPhones, and may also make a deal with Elon Musk and his Starlink.

Being under an open sky is currently one of the key conditions for satellite connectivity to work on the iPhone.

Bloomberg adds more specifics: Apple will indeed allow transmitting not only text but also photos via satellite. Also, when other networks are unavailable, Apple Maps will be able to work via satellites.

Finally, the company is trying to ensure that the gadget no longer needs to be pointed at the sky, and the system works like regular cellular service. That is, the user being in a car or indoors, and the smartphone in a pocket or bag, should not hinder it.

Also, the iPhone 18 Pro is attributed to having its own Apple C2 cellular modem instead of modems from Qualcomm. The Apple C1 found application in only one smartphone of the company—the iPhone 16e. AppleInsider reported that this Apple modem consumes 17–24% less energy than the counterpart from Qualcomm. Whether the C2 will be as efficient remains to be seen.

Information about changes to the device’s side buttons is extremely contradictory. The camera control button will either be removed or redesigned. The sources of information can hardly be called very reliable, so it’s not worth worrying about buttons ahead of time.

Finally, smartphone cameras may face additional changes. Thanks to insider Ice Universe and the portal ITHome, which quotes him, there are cautious rumors about larger sensors. In particular, Apple may use a 1/1.14″ format sensor for the main camera in the future instead of the current 1/1.28″, which means +26% to the sensor area.

The new sensor size could be something in between the 1/1.28″ sensor used in the iPhone 17 Pro and the 1″ maximum currently possible for smartphones.

In turn, Korean sources report on LOFIC technology, which could significantly improve shooting quality in excess and lack of light. However, both new sensors and LOFIC, according to rumor authors, may appear rather only in the iPhone of 2027.

Release Date, Prices, Nuances, and What About Other Models

In the final section, we will talk not so much about spec improvements as about various “organizational” issues related to the release of the new iPhone 18. Moreover, there are more questions this time than usual.

Is it true that the iPhone 18 Pro will be released in September 2026 without base versions?

In all likelihood, this is true. Apple is pulling a trick it has never done before. At the traditional September presentation, only the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max versions will be shown, while the standard models are being pushed back to the spring of 2027.

The new schedule became known back in May thanks to leaks from The Information. In August, this data was confirmed by the ETNews resource, and in November—by Mark Gurman from Bloomberg and a number of other sources.

And, according to their data, this will now be the case forever. In early autumn, Apple will start showing only the most advanced models of the new generation (Pro), and in the spring of the following year, the turn will reach models cheaper and simpler.

There are several reasons in favor of this approach that benefit both the company and its users. Additionally, the load on production capacities and suppliers will also be distributed more evenly throughout the year.

Current iPhone models and their prices in the US (slide from the official presentation).

Why might the price of the iPhone 18 Pro be higher? (Three reasons)

Apple is not fond of taking risks, so we do not expect a dramatic increase in iPhone 18 Pro prices. And yet, the price may be 1–2 hundred euros/dollars higher, i.e., 8–15% more than usual. The point here is not that corporations desperately want to extract more money from users, it’s just that the components themselves will cost significantly more this time.

Here are our arguments:

• RAM. Due to the AI boom, a real crisis with a shortage of RAM is happening in the world. Prices are rapidly going up. Yes, Apple will again use 12 GB for the iPhone 18 Pro. However, they could cost significantly (!) more than now.
• Storage. For three years in a row, Apple has installed 256 GB as the minimum flash memory volume for the iPhone Pro Max. Based on previous experience, in 2026, the new starting bar for the iPhone 18 Pro Max will likely be 512 GB. This will raise the model’s price. Whether 512 GB will be the starting point for regular Pro versions is unknown.
• 2-nanometer processor. Apple has also been using 3nm TSMC processors for three years. However, in 2026, the 2nm process will be ready, promising significantly higher transistor density. Apple definitely won’t miss this. However, these chips will cost at best 10–20% more, as reported by TrendForce.

Prices for current iPhone Pro models in the US (slide from the official presentation).

Processor, RAM, and storage are some of the most expensive smartphone components. Their price increase inevitably leads to an increase in the cost of the entire device.

Will there be Plus and Air versions in the iPhone 18 lineup?

About the Plus version, unfortunately, we haven’t heard anything. It seems the company does not intend to resurrect it yet.

As for the second generation of iPhone Air, it may see the light of day. Initially, rumors pointed to a release simultaneously with the iPhone 18 Pro, but later The Information reported a delay to spring 2027.

There is also some data on specs. For example, insider Digital Chat Station believes that the new Air will have two rear cameras instead of one.

In turn, the Korean publication The Elec reports that the new product will receive a promising CoE OLED screen. It can improve image quality, improve device battery life, and also allow Apple to make the Air 2 even thinner.

It is noteworthy that for the iPhone Air, the company faced unexpectedly low demand. This was the case with the iPhone mini back in the day. After two versions, that line was closed. The Air impresses with an ultra-thin and light body, but many specs are compromised, and the price of the device approaches the starting price tag of Pro versions.

Besides the obvious simplification of cameras, the iPhone Air also lacks stereo speakers and a physical SIM card slot. Photo: AFP/Nic Coury.

What new model might be released alongside the iPhone 18 Pro?

If we believe the stream of leaks from various sources, the first foldable iPhone awaits us (link to our large article about it).

The foldable model will not only be released simultaneously with the iPhone 18 Pro but could also turn out to be significantly more expensive. Fortune, citing UBS analysts, names a price tag starting from 1800 dollars/euros. Fubon Research recently suggested a price around 2400 euros.

From a practical point of view, the gadget makes sense—iPhones have hit the 6.9″ diagonal ceiling, and making it bigger is already quite debatable for ergonomics. The foldable model will offer a large internal display of about 7.8″. At the same time, the external screen diagonal will be only 5.5″. When folded, the smartphone could be even more compact in height and thickness than a regular iPhone.

It can also act as a stand for itself, “hanging” in intermediate folding states, have advanced multitasking functions, and take selfies on the main cameras.

On this same device, Apple will practice promising technologies, including advanced CoE OLED screens and, possibly, under-display front cameras. If the latter is true, the internal screen of the gadget will do without cutouts.

Conditional illustration of what the first foldable iPhone might look like.

How will the device differ from numerous competitors led by the Galaxy Fold?

The main difference could be the absence of a crease at the screen fold. Also, Apple wants to offer a less elongated display aspect ratio, which, in their opinion, is more convenient. Finally, due to titanium and other features, the body could be stronger and more durable. Add integration with the Apple ecosystem and iOS energy efficiency here.

So which models will be released and when?

If you are already confused, let’s summarize briefly:

• In Spring 2026, only the iPhone 17e will be released—the most affordable representative of the iPhone 17 line.
• In early Autumn 2026, we expect the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and the expensive but elegant first foldable iPhone.
• In Spring 2027, a trio of the iPhone 18e, the base iPhone 18 model, and the iPhone Air 2 (or iPhone 18 Air) will be released. The latter could be canceled with some probability, as demand for the first Air version turned out noticeably worse than Apple expected.
• In early Autumn 2027, Apple fans await anniversary iPhone Pro models with a new design, as well as the second generation of foldable iPhones.

This is the release schedule we ended up with. We compiled it based on data from authoritative insider Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, who specializes in Apple gadgets (see the link in the third paragraph of our article).

Current iPhone models. Photo: Bloomberg.

Why might the iPhone 19 Pro not be released?

In the text above, we deliberately did not name the 2027 anniversary models as “iPhone 19”. Insiders claim that they will most likely be called iPhone 20 Pro. This happened in the past when, instead of iPhone 9, Apple showed the iPhone X (Roman numeral 10) for the beauty of the numbers.

By the way, if Apple really skips “19”, moving straight to iPhone 20, it won’t be a big mistake. The iPhone models released in 2027 will be the twentieth update of the iPhone since its appearance in 2007. Logically, it would be correct to call the upcoming line iPhone 21. But that doesn’t sound nice for an anniversary model.

In 2017, the iPhone X was the first from Apple to offer an OLED screen instead of IPS, Face ID facial recognition instead of the Touch ID fingerprint scanner, and stabilization for the portrait camera. However, the main innovation of the iPhone X was still the design, where the company abandoned bulky bezels at the top and bottom. The new anniversary models in 2027 will also offer a new design.

Insiders, including Mark Gurman, attribute a bezel-less visual look to the new products, where the display will slightly curve around the edges of the device.

At the same time, the frames themselves will become slightly convex, making the device feel more comfortable in the hand. Something similar happened before, but with the iPhone 12, the company switched to flat edges. Materials and the appearance of the case will allegedly also undergo changes to something more beautiful, glass, and monolithic.

Presumed appearance of the anniversary iPhone 2027. Contrary to the illustration, they will still have a screen cutout.

In addition to the design, the 2027 Pro models will also offer new specs. These could be CoE OLED and Tandem OLED screen technologies, bolder steps in silicon-carbon batteries, as well as cameras with significantly expanded dynamic range. Additionally, in the 2027 models, iPhone camera resolution could go noticeably further than the current 48 MP.

Conclusion

Let’s summarize. What you shouldn’t expect from the iPhone 18 Pro is a revolution in design. If leaks are to be believed, in 2026 users will receive a visually very familiar gadget, but with a reduced screen cutout and cosmetic tweaks to the back panel.

However, in terms of specs, if you trust leaks and rumors, a lot will change:

• Bright screens with LTPO Plus technology. Increased brightness will improve image visibility in the sun and the overall impact of the display. LTPO Plus will help save battery life even more.
• Variable aperture of the main camera. One of the most important innovations for iPhone cameras in its entire existence. Up to +65% increased light capture and a whole range of other advantages.
• Expanded telephoto aperture. Will close one of the weakest specs in the iPhone camera system, which has been unchanged for over four years.
• 8K Video Recording. For the first time in over ten years, the company will allow shooting video at a resolution four times that of traditional 4K. Along with this, restrictions on other video recording modes may be relaxed.
• 2nm Processor and Six-Channel Memory. The 2nm process will provide 40% higher transistor density than currently, and six-channel memory replaces four-channel. The last time such major changes inside the iPhone occurred was in 2023 (3nm) and 2022 (4 RAM channels).
• Silicon-Carbon Battery. Potentially could be the biggest innovation of the iPhone 18 Pro. But we believe that due to safety concerns, Apple will reveal this “card” gradually. In 2026—only moderate capacity growth with the same dimensions, but later the count could go into thousands of bonus mAh.
• Satellite Connectivity: the biggest expansion of capabilities since the feature appeared in 2022. Satellite 5G, photo transmission, satellite maps, and ideally no need to point the gadget at the sky are expected. However, availability will depend on local regulations.

Other improvements include an updated front camera and a new cellular modem developed in-house.

Apple CEO Tim Cook during the opening of one of the company’s major presentations.

In addition to the spec points listed above, a separate major event could be the release of the first foldable iPhone in Apple’s history simultaneously with the iPhone 18 Pro. Users will get a large display that is easy to fold and carry around. We wouldn’t be surprised if this model also becomes the first iPhone to support a full-fledged stylus.

Note that our list of iPhone 18 Pro innovations is clearly incomplete, as there is still a long time before the new products are released. Thus, information is still in the process of being formed. We will try to update the material as soon as something new and significant appears.

Change History of This Article

• 08/17/2025 – First version. Covered variable aperture, reduced display cutout, 2nm processor with WMCM, six-channel memory, silicon-carbon battery, and the first foldable iPhone.
• 12/05/2025 – Significantly updated and expanded the entire text. More information on design, added a section on front and portrait cameras, as well as blocks on expanded video recording capabilities and other innovations. Added answers to possible user questions and links to primary sources.
• 01/20/2026 – Added more information about screens, including diagonals, refresh rates, LTPO Plus in iPhone 18 Pro, and CoE OLED in iPhone Air 2. All with links to primary sources.
• 01/25/2026 – Added information on design and screen brightness from insider Instant Digital, as well as specific data from insider Ice Universe regarding the size of the screen cutout.