Samsung is expected to unveil its next generation of foldable devices tomorrow (Wednesday), but Apple fans are looking toward September, when the company is expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, alongside what is likely to be its first foldable iPhone.
According to a series of reports and leaks published in recent months, Apple is planning several significant changes to its devices this year, including a new chip, a variable aperture camera, a larger battery and a much smaller Dynamic Island
Alongside the upgrades, the new iPhone models are expected to arrive with a particularly high price tag, due to the chip crisis affecting the hardware industry in recent months, which has also impacted Apple. So what do we know at this stage? Here is a breakdown of the rumors:
Apple is changing its launch schedule
The biggest change in the iPhone 18 lineup may actually be the way the devices reach the market. Unlike previous years, when Apple unveiled four models from the same series at a single event, the company may split the launch into two separate dates this time.
According to Bloomberg, the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and Apple’s first foldable iPhone are expected to be unveiled this coming September. The regular iPhone 18, iPhone Air 2 and iPhone 18e, however, may not arrive until spring 2027.
Apple CEO Tim Cook at the iPhone 17 launch event
(Photo: Daniela Ginzburg)
The move would allow Apple to spread its device launches throughout the year, similar to Samsung, and maintain a more consistent revenue stream instead of releasing the entire lineup at once.
Same design, new colors
If you are expecting a major change in the iPhone’s appearance, you may be disappointed. After Apple redesigned the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models last year, no major visual changes are expected for the 2026 devices, which are likely to keep the same design.
However, the company may introduce slightly bolder colors this time. Well-known leakers Sonny Dickson and Instant Digital claim Apple is testing a new cherry red shade, alongside light blue and dark gray options. Dickson also posted images on X showing possible iPhone 18 Pro dummy models, including a device in a light gray color.
While the exterior design may remain similar, the iPhone 18 Pro Max could be slightly thicker and heavier than its predecessor. According to leaker Ice Universe, Apple is expected to increase the device’s battery size, adding about 0.25 millimeters to its thickness and about 7 grams to its weight.
The Dynamic Island gets smaller
The most noticeable change in the iPhone 18 is expected to be the reduction of the Dynamic Island, the black area at the top of the display that houses the front camera and sensors.
According to Ice Universe, the Dynamic Island could shrink by as much as 35%. The change is not expected to affect its capabilities but would instead move the Face ID illumination component under the display, near one of the corners.
The screen sizes themselves are expected to remain unchanged, at 6.3 inches on the iPhone 18 Pro and 6.9 inches on the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Reports say Apple is requiring its suppliers this year to produce displays that are significantly brighter than those used in previous models and may use the more power-efficient LTPO+ technology.
Variable aperture
Although Apple upgraded all three cameras on the iPhone 17 Pro models to 48 megapixels, those hoping to finally see a 200-megapixel camera on the iPhone this year are likely to be disappointed.
According to reports, the main camera upgrade on the iPhone 18 Pro may instead be a variable aperture. Unlike the fixed aperture in current models, the new mechanism would be able to adjust the amount of light entering the camera based on surrounding conditions.
In simple terms, in dark environments the aperture would allow more light to reach the sensor, while in bright conditions it would reduce the amount of incoming light. According to a report by South Korean website ETNews, the new system has already entered production and is expected to be included in the iPhone 18 Pro models.
First chip built on 2-nanometer technology
The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to receive Apple’s new A20 chip, which will be manufactured using TSMC’s 2-nanometer technology. This is an upgrade over the 3-nanometer process used for previous-generation chips.
The transition will allow more transistors to be integrated into each chip and improve device performance and power efficiency. However, according to MacRumors, it could also increase production costs by about 50%.
Apple typically uses the standard version of its chip in base iPhone models, while Pro devices receive the more powerful version. In the iPhone 18 series, reports suggest the company is considering offering only the advanced version of the chip across all models.
New modem and larger battery
According to reports, the iPhone 18 Pro may also receive Apple’s new C2 modem, replacing the modem found in the iPhone 17 Pro. According to MacRumors, the modem will support 5G connectivity via satellites and reduce the amount of location data stored by cellular networks.
The iPhone 17 Air is revealed. Will we get a new aperture?
(Photo: Apple)
The battery is also expected to improve, particularly in the Pro Max model. Apple does not officially disclose iPhone battery capacities, but according to leaker Digital Chat Station, the iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a battery capacity of up to 5,200 milliamp-hours, compared with 5,088 milliamp-hours in the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The regular iPhone 18 Pro is expected to see a much smaller increase, from 4,252 to 4,288 milliamp-hours. However, combined with a more efficient chip and modem, the changes could significantly extend battery life on both models.
What about the price?
And now we reach the year’s hottest issue, with all due respect to modems, apertures and unusual new colors. Although Apple has so far avoided raising iPhone prices, rising costs for memory and storage components could change that. Apple CEO Tim Cook has also acknowledged that these price increases are difficult to ignore.
According to an estimate by The Wall Street Journal, based on rising component prices, the iPhone 18 Pro could cost $1,299 for the base model (about 3,960 shekels). That would represent a $200 increase compared with the iPhone 17 Pro, which starts at $1,099 (about 3,350 shekels).
The iPhone 18 Pro Max could start at $1,399 (about 4,266 shekels), compared with $1,199 (about 3,566 shekels) for the current model.
However, it is important to emphasize that Apple has not yet confirmed any of these details. We will have to wait until September to see which of the rumors and reports actually become reality.