Apple may still be months away from officially revealing the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, but early leaks have already painted a detailed picture of what could be coming. If the reports are accurate, the next-generation Pro models could bring visible design changes, smarter camera hardware, better battery life, and stronger performance gains.
For users debating whether to upgrade this year or wait, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are shaping up to be more than just a routine refresh.
What is changing in the iPhone 18 Pro Lineup?
The table below will give you a summarized picture of what can be expected from the upcoming Apple iPhone 18 lineup.
| Feature | iPhone 18 Pro (Expected) | iPhone 18 Pro Max (Expected) |
| Launch Timeline | September 2026 | September 2026 |
| Display Size | 6.3-inch | 6.9-inch |
| Front Design | Smaller cutout, possible under-display Face ID | Smaller cutout, possible under-display Face ID |
| Processor | A20 Pro (2nm, improved efficiency) | A20 Pro (2nm, improved efficiency) |
| Main Camera | Variable aperture | Variable aperture |
| Image Sensor | New stacked sensor | New stacked sensor |
| Battery | Efficiency improvements | ~5,100mAh |
| Connectivity | 5G | New C2 modem, possible mmWave support |
| Expected Price | Around $1487.33 + | Around $1763.92+ |
One of the major alterations will be seen on the front of the new iPhones. It could arrive with a completely new method of face detection due to fully-moving under the display face ID sensors, and only leaving a minor hole for the selfie camera, leaving the iPhone 18 Pro series with a different look. There are also some preliminary mock-ups illustrating that this new camera design is positioned off-centre at the upper left of the device, rather than the traditional centre placement.
At the same time, the current ‘Dynamic Island’ cutout is unlikely to be completely phased out; the reduction of the Dynamic Island from a pill to something smaller and less noticeable will probably still retain its original functions, such as navigational assistance, music playback, and timer functions.
At the back, there could not be any major changes in design regarding the typical three-camera layout, though subtle changes are likely in glass surface treatment and the way the glass transitions into the aluminium body.
But, it is said that there are different/new colour options being tested that may only be found on the Pro models and include darker versions of colours like deep purple, burgundy and brown.
Major Camera Upgrades Expected
The camera system could see some of the most meaningful improvements.
One of the biggest leaks points to a variable aperture system for the main camera. Unlike current iPhones, which use a fixed aperture, this setup would allow the lens to physically adjust how much light enters. In everyday use, that could mean better low-light photos and more natural background blur, instead of relying heavily on software effects. Some reports suggest this feature may be exclusive to the Pro Max model.
Another upgrade could be a new three-layer stacked image sensor, reportedly supplied by Samsung. This sensor is said to improve image quality by reducing noise, increasing dynamic range, and speeding up processing. Both the main and telephoto cameras may also get larger apertures, which should help with night photography and video recording.
A20 Pro Chip
Under the hood, Apple is expected to introduce the A20 Pro chipset. It is rumoured to be built on TSMC’s upcoming 2nm process, which would make it more powerful and energy-efficient than previous chips.
Leaks suggest around a 15% performance boost and up to 30% better power efficiency compared to the previous generation. That could translate to smoother gaming, faster app launches, and improved on-device AI features.
The internal redesign may also allow Apple to improve thermal management, meaning the phone could stay cooler during heavy use.
Bigger Battery, Especially on Pro Max
This time, battery life seems to be very important, particularly for the iPhone 18 Pro Max
The iPhone 18 Pro Max has been rumoured to feature a battery with a capacity of approximately 5100mAH. In order to accommodate the larger-capacity battery, Apple will likely make the iPhone 18 Pro Max slightly thicker and heavier than previous models.
Proprietary microchips from Apple will also add weight. This may place the total weight of iPhone 18 Pro Max at over 240 grams, an increase from the 235 gram weight of iPhone 17 Pro max.
While some consumers may not want to carry the additional weight, the trade-off may be worth it if there is a significant increase in screen usage and a decrease in recharge time.
Connectivity and Display
In terms of connectivity and displays, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to use Apple’s next-generation C2 modem to potentially provide much faster 5G services and to possibly also offer millimetre wave (mmWave) support again in a few countries.
Display sizes for standard and Pro models should remain the same. The iPhone 18 Pro is likely to have a 6.3-inch display, and the iPhone 18 Pro Max is likely to have a 6.9-inch display, but if Apple implements the under-display Face ID technology, the front of the iPhone, compared to the current models, will appear dramatically less cluttered and more modern throughout the entire product life cycle.
Expected Price and Launch Timeline
Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September 2026, following its usual annual release schedule.
Pricing remains uncertain. In India, the iPhone 17 Pro starts at Rs 1,34,900, while the Pro Max begins at Rs 1,49,900. Given recent price increases, Apple may try to keep the iPhone 18 Pro series within a similar range, especially in price-sensitive markets like India. However, component costs and supply chain factors could still affect final pricing.
While nothing is official yet, early leaks suggest the iPhone 18 Pro lineup could bring a noticeable upgrade. So, if you are using an older Pro model, this could be a meaningful upgrade cycle.
But as always, final details will only be confirmed when Apple makes its announcement.
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Also Read: iPhone 18 Pro Max May Get A Major Battery Life Boost: Reports
