Apple may still be 6 months away from officially unveiling its next-generation Pro iPhones, but leaks about the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max have already started to give a good idea of what to expect. In recent months, several leaks have hinted at visible design changes, significant camera updates, and internal improvements focused on performance and battery life. For users wondering whether to upgrade this year or wait for another cycle, these early details suggest that Apple could be preparing a more notable update than usual.
iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max launch: leaked price, battery, design, camera and other details
Design changes?
One of the biggest talking points is the front design. For years, Apple has stuck with the familiar pill-shaped cutout and Dynamic Island. That may finally start to change with the iPhone 18 Pro series. Leaks suggest that Apple is testing under-display Face ID technology, which could allow most of the sensors to be placed under the display. If this approach makes it to the final product, the front cutout may be reduced to a single hole for the selfie camera. Interestingly, some early renders show this camera positioned towards the top left corner rather than the center, giving the phone a noticeably different look compared to current iPhones.
Dynamic Island is not expected to disappear completely. Instead, it can be transformed into a smaller, subtler element that sits closer to the camera cutout. The idea, according to leaks, is to make it less distracting during daily use while still supporting live activities like navigation alerts, music controls, and timers that users have become accustomed to.
On the back end, Apple doesn’t seem interested in drastic changes. The triple camera design is expected to be maintained, housed in a high module. However, minor improvements are likely to be made. Reports talk about adjustments to the finish of the glass and how it blends with the aluminum frame. There’s also early talk of new Pro-exclusive colors being tested internally, including darker shades like deep purple, burgundy, and even a coffee-inspired brown.
Camera upgrades?
Cameras are where the iPhone 18 Pro line could see more significant updates. A leak points to a variable aperture system for the main camera. Unlike the fixed aperture used in current models, this would allow the lens to physically adjust the amount of light entering. In practical terms, this could result in a blurrier background and improved low-light photos without relying too much on software tricks. Some reports suggest that this feature may be limited to the Pro Max model.
Another expected improvement is a new three-layer stacked image sensor, reportedly coming from Samsung. This sensor design is said to improve readout speeds, reduce noise, and offer better dynamic range. In addition to this, both the main and telephoto cameras are angled for larger apertures, which should help with night photography and video recording.
Chipset? Battery?
Under the hood, Apple is expected to unveil the A20 Pro chipset. Built on TSMC’s upcoming 2nm process, the chip is said to use a new packaging method where the RAM sits directly on the same wafer as the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine. This tighter integration could result in better performance, higher efficiency and better thermal control. Early estimates suggest around a 15 percent performance boost and up to 30 percent greater power efficiency compared to the previous generation, which could also help drive more advanced AI features on the device.
This internal redesign can also free up space inside the phone. Apple could use that space to improve cooling or install a larger battery. Battery life has been a key topic in recent leaks, especially for the Pro Max. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is said to be a little thicker to house a battery of around 5,100 mAh. That could increase the weight beyond 240 grams, making it heavier than before, but many users may see it as a fair trade-off for more screen time.
Connectivity? Show updates?
Connectivity upgrades are also on the cards. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to feature Apple’s next-generation C2 modem. If accurate, this could mark the return of mmWave 5G support in Apple’s internal modem, offering faster speeds in markets where mmWave networks are available.
Screen sizes are expected to remain familiar. The iPhone 18 Pro will be able to retain a 6.3-inch screen, while the Pro Max could continue with a 6.9-inch panel. While there is still debate over whether Dynamic Island will be removed entirely or simply reduced, most leaks agree that the front of the phone will look cleaner than current models.
iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max: Price and launch schedule (leaked/expected)
Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September 2026, respecting its usual launch window. However, the price remains uncertain. Given that the iPhone 17 Pro already starts at Rs 1,34,900 in India and the Pro Max at Rs 1,49,900, Apple may not look to increase prices much further. The iPhone 17 series price hikes have already made flagship iPhones a more difficult purchase in price-sensitive markets like India.
For now, the expectation is that Apple will try to keep prices generally in the same range, even as it introduces visible design changes and internal updates. Component costs and supply chain factors could still influence the final numbers, but until Apple speaks officially, these leaks offer an early look at what could prove to be a significant refresh cycle for the iPhone.
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