Apple’s next iPhone lineup is slowly coming into focus, and the leaks are getting more interesting every day. Yes — Apple may be working on a foldable iPhone, but the company clearly isn’t ignoring its main flagship phones. The iPhone 18 Pro series is shaping up to be one of the biggest refreshes we’ve seen in years, especially in design, performance, and cameras.
Big changes expected in the iPhone 18 Pro series
Early reports suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to arrive in 2026. At first glance, they may look familiar, but the upgrades happening underneath could make them feel completely new. From better camera hardware to more efficient chips and smarter battery management, Apple seems to be preparing something meaningful this time.
Design tweaks with a heavier build
Leaks claim the iPhone 18 Pro Max will keep the familiar boxy design with a raised triple-camera setup on the back. However, Apple may refine the finish and materials to make it look cleaner and more premium.
One rumor suggests that the MagSafe area could use a slightly transparent ceramic shield, creating a subtle layered effect. Apple may also reduce the strong two-tone contrast from previous models. Instead, the back glass might blend more smoothly with the metal frame, giving the phone a more uniform, polished look.
New colors are also being discussed, including coffee brown, deep purple, and rich burgundy shades. The phone may become slightly thicker to fit a larger battery, and because of this, the weight could cross 240 grams — possibly making it the heaviest iPhone ever.
What happens to the Dynamic Island?
The front design is still one of the biggest mysteries. Some leaks claim Apple is testing a punch-hole camera placed in the top-left corner, removing the Dynamic Island completely. Others believe the Dynamic Island will remain, but in a smaller and cleaner form. Both possibilities are still open, and whichever direction Apple takes could define the next several iPhone generations.
Display size and under-display Face ID
Display sizes are not expected to change. The iPhone 18 Pro may continue with a 6.3-inch display, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max could stick to 6.9 inches. What’s more exciting is the talk around under-display Face ID. Apple is reportedly testing a special micro-transparent glass layer that can hide the Face ID components beneath the screen. This would mean fewer cutouts and a cleaner viewing experience.
Major camera upgrades in focus
The camera system could easily become the headline feature of the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. Leaks suggest that the main camera may introduce a variable aperture, allowing the phone to control depth and light more intelligently. This could make portraits look more natural and low-light photos brighter with less noise.
Both the main and telephoto cameras are expected to use larger apertures, helping them capture more light. Apple is also rumored to be testing a new three-layer stacked sensor from Samsung, designed to improve highlight control, reduce noise, and deliver faster image processing. If all of this comes together, we could see a noticeable jump in photo and video quality, not just small yearly tweaks.
New C2 modem for better connectivity
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to feature Apple’s next-generation in-house C2 modem. Compared to the current C1 lineup, this modem should deliver stronger connectivity, and leaks suggest mmWave 5G support may return. Apple seems to be working toward performance closer to Qualcomm’s best modems, but with tighter integration inside iOS.
A20 chip built on 2nm technology
Powering the iPhone 18 Pro series could be the new A20 chip built on TSMC’s 2nm process. Early reports claim it may offer up to 15 percent faster performance while using significantly less power. That means smoother multitasking, better heat control, and improved battery life.
Apple is also rumored to be testing wafer-level multi-chip module technology, allowing RAM to sit directly on top of the chip. This could boost Apple Intelligence features, free up internal space, and make the phone even more efficient. Because of high costs, this A20 Pro chip may remain exclusive to the Pro lineup.
Expected launch timeline
Based on current leaks, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to launch in 2026, most likely around September. As always with Apple leaks, details can change — but if even half of these upgrades arrive, the iPhone 18 Pro lineup could feel like the biggest step forward since the iPhone X.
Ramesh is a technology writer at gemch.in, covering smartphone launches, leaks, and comparisons. His articles focus on real-world features, performance, and value-for-money insights to help readers make informed buying decisions.