Variable aperture, 2nm chip, smaller Dynamic Island, and Apple's own modem – the iPhone 18 Pro is facing one of the most exciting upgrade cycles in years. At the same time, Apple is changing its release schedule for the first time, and everything now points to the biggest price jump in a long time.
Apple has released new Pro iPhones every September since 2017. The iPhone 18 Pro continues this tradition – but with one crucial difference: the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e won't be released until spring 2027. Those wanting to upgrade in fall 2026 will have to choose between a Pro model or Apple's first foldable, rumored to be the iPhone Ultra. This article summarizes all the current rumors.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Expectation |
|---|---|
| Release | September 2026 |
| Chip | A20 Pro (2nm process), 12 GB RAM |
| Memory | Entry-level price is expected to remain at 256 GB. |
| Modem | Apple C2 international; US model likely still uses Qualcomm for mmWave |
| Connectivity | N2 chip (Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6+) |
| Camera | Variable aperture (48 MP Fusion), 24 MP front camera |
| Display | 6.3″ (Pro) / 6.9″ (Pro Max), smaller Dynamic Island |
| Colors | Dark Cherry, Light Blue, Silver/Grey – three to four shades (no black) |
| Price | A significant price increase is expected, with estimates reaching up to $1,399. |
Design: Familiar shape, new colors
The iPhone 18 Pro will be largely identical in appearance to the iPhone 17 Pro. The display sizes will remain at 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, and the aluminum unibody design and triple-lens platform camera will return.
The biggest visual change is a new signature color: Dark Cherry would be the first ever red Pro iPhone. Previously, a palette of Dark Cherry, Light Blue, Dark Gray, and Silver had been expected. The two-tone effect between the glass and frame is said to be less striking than on the previous model. It remains to be seen how Apple will name the color in the German store – with the iPhone 17 Pro, "Cosmic Orange" remained in English, while "Deep Blue" and "Silver" were translated.
At the end of May 2026, the first dummy models showed all four colors and confirmed the previously leaked Pantone codes: Light Blue (2121), Dark Cherry (6076), Dark Gray (426C), and Silver (427C). One point of confusion remains: The dummy images label the fourth variant as black, while the Pantone list shows it as Dark Gray.
At the end of June, a leaker revealed an alleged SIM card slot in Dark Cherry – a shimmering shade that shifts between burgundy, warm brown, and dark violet depending on the light. When asked about a black version, the answer was a clear no: Dark Gray takes on the role of the darkest model.
The final number of available colors has become less certain. As of July 1st, a source mentioned only three shades, combining silver and dark gray into one variant. This would place the Pro model exactly on par with the iPhone 17 Pro, which also launched with three colors and no dark shade. The point of contention, therefore, is not so much the color selection, but rather the number of colors.
A clarification regarding the exact shade of Dark Cherry was added on August 10th. Apparently, a lighter and a darker version of the color are circulating online – the darker one is the correct one: a cherry red with a distinct violet undertone, not the intense red of some imitations. This information originates from Chinese leakers and is therefore less reliable than the Pantone codes from May, but it aligns with the SIM sample description from June. The violet component would then be the base tone, not a reflection.
Dimensions: Conflicting information regarding thickness
Sources disagree on the dimensions. One leak claims the iPhone 18 Pro Max will be exactly the same 8.75 mm as its predecessor – the larger battery would then require a redesign of the internal components. A tipster from the supply chain, however, suggests it will be about two millimeters thicker.
More concrete measurements provide a clearer picture. A hands-on test with dummy models measured the overall thickness of the Pro Max, including the camera platform, at 13.77 mm, compared to 12.92 mm for the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The increase is almost entirely concentrated in the platform, while the body remains virtually unchanged.
The reason is believed to be a particularly large 48MP sensor with a variable aperture – larger sensors and lenses simply require more height. Regarding weight, it's possible the model will exceed 240 grams, making it heavier than the 233-gram iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Another detail: The Ceramic Shield area on the back, where MagSafe is located, is said to feature a slightly transparent surface. What exactly this means remains unclear.
Aluminum finish: Apple sticks with it despite Scratchgate
Apple is adopting the anodized aluminum finish from the iPhone 17 Pro without any changes – neither the material nor the coating has been altered. A source close to the leak explicitly warns that even the new color options could remain susceptible to wear and tear over time.
Apple's breakdown of the damage into two causes is revealing. Some of the marks on display devices were not from scratches, but from worn MagSafe charging stands that transferred material to the back – removable by cleaning. The edges around the camera platform, however, are considered normal wear and tear and therefore not covered under warranty.
The reason: Aluminum is lighter, cheaper to process, and aligns with Apple's climate goals. Furthermore, the alloy offers excellent heat dissipation – especially important for the power-hungry A20 Pro, allowing heat to be dissipated more quickly, thus maintaining stable performance under load for longer.
Anyone who wants to use the iPhone 18 Pro without a case should be prepared for marks to appear more quickly on the edges of the camera module than on its titanium-based predecessors.
Dynamic Island: Smaller, but not gone
Several independent sources report that Apple is moving the Face ID flood illuminator beneath the display. This reduces the Dynamic Island by approximately 35 percent – the width is said to decrease from around 20.7 mm to about 13.5 mm.
Face ID isn't completely hidden under the display yet. The front camera, infrared camera, and dot projector remain visible. A completely invisible Face ID isn't expected until the iPhone 20 in 2027 at the earliest.
However, there is one dissenting voice. In an update from April 9, 2026, it was stated that Apple is still weighing two options: reusing the existing display design or implementing the smaller version. A final decision has apparently not yet been made.
A striking clue is provided by the software itself: In iOS 27, Siri AI emerges from the Dynamic Island as an elongated, pill-shaped light source when activated, while the display appears circular on iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro. On an iPhone with a smaller cutout, this could become a perfect circle. This correlation has not been confirmed.
Chip: A20 Pro manufactured using a 2nm process
The A20 Pro will be the first Apple chip manufactured using TSMC's 2nm process. The move from 3nm to 2nm brings higher transistor density, an estimated 30 percent improvement in energy efficiency compared to the A19 Pro, and an enhanced Neural Engine for local AI tasks.
In addition, a new packaging technology is used, in which the RAM sits directly on the same wafer as the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine. This reduces latency and further improves efficiency. The RAM is expected to increase to 12 GB, compared to 8 GB in the iPhone 17 Pro.
A supposedly photographed motherboard shows what this could look like: The memory is positioned to the side of the processor, instead of being stacked on top of it. This thermally decouples the processing unit and memory, allowing the device to maintain its peak performance under sustained load for longer.
The information regarding the memory type is contradictory. The motherboard photo suggests LPDDR6 with a 96-bit bus, while the latest analyst report mentions LPDDR5X. Neither figure has been confirmed.
Storage: No jump at the start
Regarding storage capacity, everything points to stagnation. The material cost analysis consistently uses the 256GB version when comparing the iPhone 18 Pro to its predecessor – an indication that market researchers aren't expecting any significant increase. This isn't explicitly stated as a feature specification; it remains a deduction derived from the underlying calculations.
| Model | Entry capacity |
|---|---|
| iPhone 16 Pro | 128 GB |
| iPhone 17 Pro | 256 GB |
| iPhone 18 Pro (expected) | 256 GB |
From an economic perspective, this makes sense. After the storage capacity accounted for roughly 10 percent of material costs, doubling the initial storage capacity again would be difficult to justify – it would burden the calculation at its most expensive point. The analysis makes no mention of the iPhone 18 Pro Max; both Pro models launched with the same storage capacity for the last two generations.
The pressure to increase prices is likely to become more noticeable at higher price points. We expect the price increases for 512 GB and 1 TB to be more significant than in previous years, because every doubling of capacity translates directly into higher costs for the most expensive component. However, this has not yet been officially confirmed.
All of this is distinct from the RAM: The expected 12 GB of RAM refers to computing power, not the space for photos and apps.
Modem: C2 International, Qualcomm likely still in the USA
The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to use Apple's own C2 modem – the third generation after the C1 and C1X. The C2 is said to be faster and more efficient and to support NR-NTN satellite internet, meaning full access instead of just emergency SOS.
The transition could be incomplete. According to a leak, stolen manufacturing data from a supplier reveals a separate US bill of materials listing several Qualcomm components – components related to mmWave 5G. The reason lies in a gap in the C2, which reportedly still does not support mmWave.
This would be advantageous for buyers outside the US. Apple's own modems are considered significantly more energy-efficient than comparable Qualcomm chips. Intriguingly, the US models are slated to have the larger battery cell, meaning that an efficiency disadvantage in the modem could partially negate this advantage.
There is also a privacy detail to consider. The "Limit Precise Location" setting, which only provides mobile network operators with coarsely resolved location data, is tied to Apple's own modems and is likely to be missing on a US model with a Qualcomm chip.
Connectivity: N2 chip for Wi-Fi 7+
In addition to the C2 modem, the iPhone 18 Pro is also expected to receive Apple's new N2 chip for wireless connections. Its predecessor, the N1, was first used in the iPhone 17 and brought Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread.
What specific improvements the N2 will offer is not yet known. Faster connections and better efficiency with AirDrop and personal hotspot are expected.
Camera: Variable aperture as a highlight
The biggest camera innovation is the variable aperture in the 48MP Fusion main camera. Previous iPhones used a fixed aperture of f/1.78. A variable aperture allows for mechanical control of the amount of light and depth of field – a feature previously reserved for professional cameras.
The technology costs Apple significantly more. The average selling price of the new lens is around 50 percent higher than that of the iPhone 17 Pro module. The reason is the mechanical complexity: Instead of a fixed aperture with seven plastic lenses, blades inside the lens now have to move.
Other expected improvements:
- New Samsung sensor with three layers for less noise and faster response times – Samsung would be a sensor supplier alongside Sony for the first time.
- Front camera upgrade from 12 to 24 MP
- Simplified camera control without a capacitive layer, using only a pressure sensor.
It is not certain whether the variable aperture will be included in both Pro models or only in the Pro Max.
Display: LTPO+ instead of a large increase in brightness
The iPhone 18 Pro uses an advanced version of the previous technology: LTPO+. The difference lies in the finer control of individual OLED pixels – brightness can be adjusted more precisely to the environment, and energy consumption is noticeably reduced.
However, this model doesn't deliver a significant leap in outdoor brightness. It lacks dual-layer OLED technology, the very technology that would represent the next real increase in brightness. As a result, the familiar behavior persists: current Pro models achieve their peak brightness as stated in the specifications, but reduce it within minutes under direct sunlight.
Apple awards its LTPO+ contracts exclusively to Samsung Display and LG Display. The Chinese manufacturer BOE is completely excluded from the premium segment because it does not meet the quality and yield requirements.
In parallel, Apple plans to use Samsung's under-screen infrared technology. This component is directly related to the reduction in size of the Dynamic Island – without it, the reduction from 20.7 to 13.5 mm would not be technically possible.
Battery: Big leap for the Pro Max, hardly any increase for the Pro
China's 3C certification database provides specific figures. The difference between the regions is not due to a technical reason, but rather to the casing: The US version, lacking a physical SIM slot, offers more space for a larger cell.
| Model variant | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 18 Pro Max (Leak) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| eSIM-only (including USA) | 5,088 mAh | 5,567 mAh | +479 mAh (+9.4 %) |
| With physical SIM (including Germany) | 4,823 mAh | 5,391 mAh | +568 mAh (+11.8 %) |
It's noteworthy that the SIM slot variant, which is relevant in Germany, shows a relatively stronger improvement. Combined with the more efficient 2nm chip and LTPO+, the Pro Max could offer the best battery life of any iPhone to date.
In contrast, the increase for the regular iPhone 18 Pro is surprisingly small.
| Model variant | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro (Leak) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| With physical SIM (including Germany) | 3,988 mAh | 4,056 mAh | +68 mAh (+1.7 %) |
| eSIM-only (USA etc.) | 4,252 mAh | 4,288 mAh | +36 mAh (+0.8 %) |
That would represent a significant shift in sentiment compared to last year: The iPhone 17 Pro had seen a roughly 19 percent increase over the iPhone 16 Pro. Ultimately, however, capacity isn't the only deciding factor – the more efficient A20 Pro could allow even a barely increased battery to last longer in real-world use.
Unlike previous, barely verifiable figures, these values come from an official approval database. One caveat remains: the devices are not explicitly named in the entries, but given the key data, the classification is considered highly probable.
Release: Apple splits the cycle
Apple will change its iPhone release schedule for the first time in 2026.
| Time | Models |
|---|---|
| September 2026 | iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone Ultra |
| Spring 2027 | iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, possibly iPhone Air 2 |
Anyone wanting a new iPhone this fall will have to opt for the Pro model or the foldable. The cheaper models won't be available until months later.
Price: The biggest increase in years
The picture has fundamentally changed regarding price. It had long been expected that Apple would keep entry-level prices stable despite the storage shortage and offset the additional costs through higher storage tiers.
Apple itself has now overtaken this assumption. CEO Tim Cook confirmed to the Wall Street Journal that Apple will be raising the prices of several products due to unprecedentedly high costs for RAM and flash memory. At the end of June, the price increases for Macs, iPads, and the Vision Pro followed, while the iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch were initially excluded.
The most concrete estimate comes from analyst Jeff Pu, who expects a price increase of $250 to $300. He cites the A20 Pro chip, as well as RAM and flash memory, as the driving factors, the costs of which are said to have roughly tripled compared to the previous year.
| Model | iPhone 17 Pro (US) | iPhone 18 Pro (Prediction) |
|---|---|---|
| Per | 1,099 US dollars | 1,349–1,399 US dollars |
| Pro Max | 1,199 US dollars | US$1,449–1,499 |
This can be extrapolated to the German market. Applying Apple's previous dollar-to-euro price ratio to the current prices of €1,299 for the iPhone 17 Pro and €1,449 for the Pro Max, the iPhone 18 Pro will end up costing around €1,590 to €1,650 and the Pro Max around €1,750 to €1,810.
The seriousness of the component shortage is now evident not only in the price tag: Memory shortages in the MacBook Air are already leading to delivery times of several weeks. The industry has long since demonstrated that additional suppliers won't automatically solve the problem.
There is one dissenting voice, however: JP Morgan anticipates only a moderate price increase of $50 to $100, because Apple can partially offset the cost pressure by switching to its own modem. Some also interpret Cook's unusually open warning as a way of managing expectations.
The development has one side effect for the top model: The expected price of around 2,000 US dollars for the iPhone Ultra seems less exorbitant when the regular Pro model is already approaching the 1,400 dollar mark.
iPhone 18 Pro: Who should buy it now
The iPhone 18 Pro brings genuine hardware innovations with its variable aperture, 2nm chip, and dedicated modem – not just the usual percentage improvements. The variable aperture is a real upgrade, especially for users who value photography.
Those who already own an iPhone 17 Pro will hardly notice the difference in everyday use – the design and display remain virtually identical. This model is primarily worthwhile for users of older devices, from the iPhone 15 Pro downwards, who want to skip several generations in one go.
Our recommendation: If you're planning on getting a new iPhone anyway, wait until September. The iPhone 18 Pro could be one of the more interesting upgrades in recent years – albeit at a significantly higher price. In Germany, expect a price starting at €1.50 rather than the usual €1,299.
Those who prefer the standard model, the more affordable e-model, or the slim premium model should wait until spring 2027 – all three will only be released then. (Image: Apfelpatient)
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