Apple’s 2026 iPhone lineup will be unusual. Why do I say that? According to the latest rumours, the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e are being pushed to 2027, which means the September iPhone launch will consist of just the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the new foldable iPhone Fold. For buyers who upgrade on Apple’s traditional annual cycle, the Pro models and the iPhone Fold/iPhone Ultra are the only option this year. Here are all the iPhone 18 Pro leaks, rumours and everything else we know so far.
The iPhone 18 Pro is not expected to receive a major design overhaul. The overall form factor stays largely the same as the iPhone 17 Pro with a triple-lens rear camera island. The two-tone look of the current Pro models where the glass and aluminium frame have a noticeable colour difference, is reportedly being toned down in favour of a more unified appearance. The MagSafe charging area on the back may feature a slightly transparent finish, though the specifics of that change remain unclear.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max could be marginally thicker at 8.8 mm up from 8.75 mm, which may push its weight past 240 g. Some leaks also suggest dimensions will be identical to the current model. Either way, the difference should be negligible.
With the iPhone 18 Pro isn’t receiving an updated design, there’s a new colour on offer. Dark Cherry, described as closer to wine or dark purple-red than a bright red, is expected to be the signature new colour for 2026. According to Macworld’s supply chain sources, the four colours Apple is working with are Light Blue (Pantone 2121), Dark Cherry (Pantone 6076), Dark Gray (Pantone 426C) and Silver (Pantone 427C).
The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to use the upgraded LTPO+ display technology from Samsung which is an improvement over the LTPO panel in the iPhone 17 Pro. The LTPO+ panel is expected to be more power-efficient while maintaining the adaptive refresh rate that adjusts between 1 Hz and 120 Hz.
Multiple leaks point to a smaller Dynamic Island on the iPhone 18 Pro. Leaker Ice Universe claims it will be approximately 35% narrower than the current version, measuring around 13.5 mm wide compared to 20.7 mm on the iPhone 17 Pro. CAD renders leaked in May support a slimmed-down cutout. A full hole-punch design without a Dynamic Island has been indicated by the rumour mill, but more reliable sources point to a smaller Dynamic Island rather than its elimination. In addition, there are rumours of an under-display Face ID, which would enable the reduction but is not confirmed as ready for this generation.
The camera system on the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to get its biggest upgrade. The main camera may feature a variable aperture, allowing users to mechanically control how much light enters the sensor and this would give users direct control over depth of field and exposure, particularly useful in bright conditions where too much light can wash out an image.
At least one model may also use a new three-layer stacked image sensor developed by Samsung, which would improve responsiveness, reduce noise and expand dynamic range. The telephoto lens is also expected to get a larger aperture for improved low-light performance. Apple may additionally include a teleconverter element to extend the effective zoom reach, though how this would work in a smartphone form factor is not yet clear. All iPhone 18 models except the 18e are also rumoured to get updated with 24 MP front cameras.
The iPhone 18 Pro will expectedly be Apple’s first phone with the A20 chip built on TSMC’s 2nm process. It should deliver up to 15% faster performance and 30% better efficiency compared to the A19. The A20 is also expected to use TSMC’s Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) packaging, which integrates RAM directly onto the same wafer as the CPU, GPU and Neural Engine. This brings faster data transfer between components and helps shrink the overall chip size, freeing up internal space for other components, including a larger battery. The 2nm manufacturing process is significantly more expensive than 3nm, which may limit the most advanced A20 Pro variant to the Pro and Fold/Ultra models.
The iPhone 18 Pro will use Apple’s in-house C2 modem, an upgrade over the C1 in the current generation. The key additions include mmWave 5G support, which the C1 lacks and a new Limit Precise Location setting that prevents mobile networks from pinpointing a device’s exact location. The C2 may also support 5G satellite connectivity, enabling full internet access over satellite in areas without standard mobile coverage. Apple Maps, Photos and third-party apps could potentially use this connection.
The iPhone 18 Pro is rumoured to carry a 4,288 mAh battery in eSIM-only models, up from 4,252 mAh. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to see a more significant battery increase and the combination of a larger cell and the more efficient A20 chip should extend battery life compared to the current generation.
Analysts including Ming-Chi Kuo and Jeff Pu expect Apple to hold pricing steady rather than pass on increased component costs. The iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099 in the US, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max at $1,199. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to carry the same starting prices this year.
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will launch in September 2026 alongside the iPhone Fold/Ultra.