The announcement of iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max is still several months away, but there are already enough rumors for a full list. Apple is preparing an update for September, and most of the changes concern not the design, but the internals: a new chip, a new modem, a new camera sensor, and a redesigned capture button. Plus, iPhone 18 Pro will run iOS 27 out of the box with new features. Below is what will actually affect everyday use and what remains just a rumor for now.
Decided it’s better to wait for the new iPhone generation
iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max Release Date
Apple will release the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and foldable iPhone in September. The regular iPhone 18, the more affordable iPhone 18e, and the second-generation iPhone Air will come out early next year — this is Apple’s new strategy with staggered releases.
For an owner, this means a simple thing: if you specifically want the Pro version, you’ll have to wait as usual — until fall. And if price matters, it makes sense to wait a few more months after the Pro model announcement and look at the iPhone 18e.
What Colors Will iPhone 18 Pro Come In
The special color for iPhone 18 Pro will be Dark Cherry. Along with it, the lineup is expected to include Light Blue, Dark Gray, and Silver. Meanwhile, Cosmic Orange and Deep Blue, which were available for the iPhone 17 Pro, are expected to be discontinued.
The full palette of the new Pros before you
This is a purely cosmetic change, but color often becomes the most noticeable generational marker. By the way, screen protectors have already revealed the new design of the iPhone 18 Pro before the presentation. If you were planning to buy an orange Pro — better hurry before September, as old colors will gradually disappear after the new model’s release.
Dynamic Island in iPhone 18 Pro: What Will Change
Previously, it was expected that Face ID would go entirely under the display — with only a front camera in the corner. But now the picture is more modest: only one Face ID component will go under the display — the infrared flood illuminator (the sensor that illuminates the face in the dark). As a result, Dynamic Island will become smaller but won’t disappear completely.
Dynamic Island will become significantly smaller
The overall design will remain the same as the iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays and a “plateau” for three cameras on the back. However, the rear panel in the MagSafe area will become matte and uniform — without the current two-tone transition.
Another display change is LTPO+ technology. In short, it’s an improved version of the variable refresh rate display that should increase battery life. There are no numbers or confirmations yet, so this should be treated as an expectation rather than a fact.
iPhone 18 Pro Camera: Variable Aperture and New Button
The main camera on both Pro models will get a variable aperture on the primary 48-megapixel Fusion module. In practice, this means you can manually adjust how much light reaches the sensor and more precisely control background blur.
The camera will feature variable aperture
It sounds great, but there’s a caveat. Smartphone sensors are physically small, and how noticeable the effect will be is a big question. It’s more of a tool for those who shoot deliberately, rather than a feature every user will notice.
The main camera will get a controllable aperture — but the real effect is still questionable
The second change concerns the Camera Control button that Apple added in the iPhone 16. In the iPhone 18 Pro, it will be simplified: touch controls and haptic feedback will be removed, leaving only press with force recognition. For those who were annoyed by accidental touches and swipes on this button, this is good news.
A20 Pro Processor in iPhone 18 Pro
Inside the iPhone 18 Pro will be the A20 Pro chip built on TSMC’s 2-nanometer process — the current A19 Pro uses a 3nm process. Combined with new chip packaging, this should deliver performance gains and reduced heat generation. Apple naturally hasn’t provided specific numbers yet.
A new chip for the new iPhone
The modem story is even more interesting. For Apple, this is already the third generation of its own solution:
- C1 — debuted in iPhone 16e
- C1X — in iPhone Air, according to Apple, up to two times faster than C1 and the most energy-efficient modem in iPhone
- C2 — will be in the iPhone 18 Pro
For users, this matters for two reasons. First, a proprietary modem directly affects battery life — cellular connectivity is one of the biggest battery consumers. Second, one of the most interesting rumors about the iPhone 18 Pro is connected specifically to the C2. On the topic of battery life, it’s worth noting why iPhone 18 Pro Max will be the most battery-efficient iPhone in history.
Satellite Internet in iPhone 18 Pro
With the new modem, iPhone 18 Pro will get 5G via satellite support — meaning
