Explore iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, coming 2026: A20 Pro 2 nm, bigger battery, smaller Dynamic Island, C2 modem, sensor, variable aperture, satellite internet
© A. Krivonosov
Apple maps out the iPhone years ahead, which is why the big shifts often surface long before launch. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, expected in fall 2026, are shaping up to be among the most notable updates in recent memory—both technologically and in how the company plans its lineup.
One of the headline changes is a two-phase rollout. In fall 2026, Apple will introduce the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the foldable iPhone Fold, while the standard iPhone 18 and the iPhone 18e won’t arrive until spring 2027. The timing underlines a premium-first focus and gives the Pro models more room in the spotlight.
On the outside, the iPhone 18 Pro keeps the iPhone 17 Pro’s design: the familiar triple-camera island and well-known 6.3- and 6.9-inch displays. However, Apple plans to phase out the pronounced two-tone finish. With an updated treatment for the rear glass, the Ceramic Shield color and the aluminum frame should look more uniform, lending the phone a cleaner, more cohesive presence.
Reports suggest the iPhone 18 Pro Max will get a touch thicker and heavier, coming in around 243 grams. The most plausible reason is a larger battery. If that holds, battery life could become a major selling point.
A full departure from the Dynamic Island is still uncertain, but most sources agree it’s set to shrink. Apple is testing under-display placement for the front camera and Face ID components. That looks like a bridge to a truly edge-to-edge screen in future generations.
The iPhone 18 Pro is slated to run on the A20 Pro, built with TSMC’s 2 nm technology. Apple is targeting roughly 15% more performance and up to 30% better power efficiency. The company may also use a new chip packaging approach that places RAM closer to the processor, speeding up the system and Apple Intelligence features.
Apple continues to move away from Qualcomm. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to feature the C2 modem—faster, more efficient, and with mmWave 5G support, at least in the US. It’s a meaningful step toward tighter integration and lower power draw.
For the first time in a while, Apple may change sensor suppliers: Samsung is developing a new three-layer sensor for the iPhone 18 with better dynamic range and reduced noise. A variable aperture for the main camera is also anticipated, bringing the iPhone closer to DSLR-like flexibility and giving users more creative control.
Apple plans to go beyond emergency features and add support for full-fledged satellite internet. If the technology is ready by 2026, the iPhone 18 Pro would be the first smartphone to offer it.
The camera control button will be simplified and made more reliable by dropping the capacitive layer, while keeping all its functions. New colors are on the way—burgundy, brown, and purple—with a deep red standing out as the first of its kind for the Pro lineup.
Altogether, the iPhone 18 Pro looks like a carefully considered evolutionary update, blending gains in performance, battery life, imaging, and connectivity. If you’re not chasing annual upgrades, this may be the iPhone worth waiting for.