Apple iPhone 18 Pro: What to expect in 2026?

Apple iPhone

Apple’s 2026 iPhone lineup is expected to be one of its most ambitious in years, with a foldable iPhone reportedly joining the range for the first time. Still, the models most users will gravitate towards are the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Early leaks and supply chain reports suggest Apple is preparing a set of meaningful upgrades that focus on performance, battery life, camera control and a cleaner overall design. Here are six key features currently rumoured for the iPhone 18 Pro series.

The first noticeable change is expected to be in design, even though the overall size and form factor will likely remain familiar. Apple is said to be shrinking the Dynamic Island further by moving more Face ID components under the display. If this happens, the visible cut-out would be the smallest it has been since the feature was introduced, giving the display a more seamless look. On the back, Apple is reportedly moving away from the polarising two-tone finish seen on the iPhone 17 Pro. Instead, the aluminium frame and glass rear panel are expected to blend more naturally, creating a unified appearance. New colour options are also being tested, including deeper tones such as Coffee Brown, Purple and Burgundy, suggesting Apple may continue leaning into bolder finishes after the positive response to recent Pro colours.

Performance is expected to take a significant leap with the introduction of the A20 Pro chip. This processor is widely rumoured to be Apple’s first built using a 2nm manufacturing process, alongside a new wafer-level multi-chip module packaging method. Together, these changes should deliver stronger gains in speed and efficiency than a typical year-on-year update. Improvements are expected across general performance, power efficiency and on-device AI processing, making the iPhone 18 Pro better suited for increasingly demanding workloads.

Camera upgrades remain a central part of Apple’s Pro strategy, and the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to introduce a variable aperture main camera. This would allow users to control depth of field more naturally, rather than relying entirely on software-based portrait effects. With variable aperture, users could choose between shallow background blur, balanced subject isolation, or full-scene focus depending on the situation. While other camera improvements are also expected, this feature stands out as the most meaningful hardware change rumoured so far.

Battery life is another area where Apple appears ready to push further. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max already offer the largest batteries Apple has ever put into an iPhone, and reports suggest the trend will continue. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is said to be slightly thicker and heavier, likely to accommodate a larger battery. Although there is less direct information about the smaller Pro model, past patterns suggest both Pro variants may see capacity increases rather than just the Max.

Apple is also expected to rethink the Camera Control button introduced in recent models. While the idea of a dedicated camera button was welcomed, its touch-sensitive gestures proved unintuitive for many users. For the iPhone 18 series, Apple is reportedly simplifying the control by removing some of the capacitive elements and focusing on a more straightforward, button-like experience that prioritises reliability over complexity.

Finally, connectivity is set to improve with the introduction of Apple’s C2 modem. After debuting its in-house modems in lower-profile models, Apple is expected to bring the next-generation C2 modem to the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Early versions have already shown promising gains in efficiency and battery life, and the C2 is expected to build on that foundation while further reducing Apple’s reliance on external suppliers.

Taken together, these changes suggest the iPhone 18 Pro will focus on refinement rather than reinvention. Apple appears intent on delivering faster performance, better battery life, more capable cameras and a cleaner design, all while laying the groundwork for more ambitious form factors elsewhere in the lineup.