Leak hints iPhone 18 Pro models may adopt a transparent back, drop Dynamic Island for a hole-punch camera, add adjustable aperture and a steel-cased battery.
© A. Krivonosov
Even though the iPhone 17 lineup arrived only a couple of months ago, talk about the next generation is already picking up speed. A leak from well-known tipster Digital Chat Station suggests the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models could adopt a transparent back — a direction popularized by Nothing.
The source says Apple is testing slightly transparent glass for the Pro versions’ rear panel, which would let users see the phone’s internals, either fully or in part. It’s still unclear how see-through the finish might be and whether it would reveal actual components. If Apple moves ahead, it would join Android makers like Nothing, HTC, and Xiaomi that have tried similar looks. The idea adds a small dose of showmanship that could split opinion — and that, in itself, keeps the design conversation lively.
Beyond the translucent shell, Apple is reportedly weighing the removal of the Dynamic Island cutout in favor of a hole-punch front camera. The company is also said to be testing a main camera with an adjustable aperture, a feature seen in older Samsung and HUAWEI flagships. As for the iPhone 18 Pro Max, the leak points to a new battery in a steel casing.
If the transparent design does make it to market, it would read as a return to Apple’s 1990s aesthetic, when the company released iconic translucent Macs in bright colors. The next iPhone could end up being not just a technical refresh, but a stylish nod to the brand’s own past.