Around the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, evidence is mounting that Apple is focusing on small steps rather than major leaps this time. A new report paints a picture of Pro models that, while undergoing internal evolution, might hardly be perceived as a "new generation" externally.
This assessment comes from Mark Gurman of Bloomberg. In the latest edition of his newsletter "Power On", he writes that the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models will "not be a major update". Specifically, Gurman believes the Pro models will only feature minor changes compared to last year's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models.
To put this into perspective, he draws a comparison to Apple's earlier strategy of adding the letter "S" to minor iPhone updates.
Gurman's main point: iPhone 18 Pro as a minor "S" upgrade
According to Gurman, the iPhone 18 Pro is primarily a model that closely resembles its predecessor. The statement "only minor changes" suggests that no major generational leap is expected compared to the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. Therefore, anyone expecting a visibly new concept will likely get an update that feels more like a typical mid-range model.
Still relevant: Important internal changes are under discussion
Although Gurman is generally cautious, he mentions several points that are said to carry considerable weight internally:
- New camera system with variable aperture: The iPhone 18 Pro is apparently set to feature a camera system with a variable aperture. This would represent a significant technical change compared to the previous line.
- A20 chip: According to the report, the A20 chip is planned as the processor. This is one of the key upgrades that typically affect performance and efficiency.
- Custom-made C2 modem: Gurman also mentions a custom (tailor-made) C2 modem. This also falls into the category of "important, but not necessarily immediately obvious".
The bottom line: Something is supposed to change internally, even if the overall package doesn't look like a major fresh start from the outside.
Not the star this fall: the focus will be on Apple's first foldable phone
Another point from Gurman's report: The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are unlikely to be "the star of Apple's iPhone launch this fall". The reason isn't that the Pro models are completely uninteresting, but rather that, according to Gurman, Apple is likely to put a different device in the spotlight instead: the company's first foldable smartphone.
This would mean that the focus in autumn would apparently be more on the foldable, while the iPhone 18 Pro would be more of a solid, but less spectacular update.
iPhone 18 Pro: Small update instead of a big revolution
According to Gurman, the iPhone 18 Pro is shaping up to be a year in which Apple will be rather cautious with updates to its Pro models: no major updates, only minor changes compared to the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max, feeling similar to previous "S" years. At the same time, internal innovations are expected, including a variable aperture for the camera system, the A20 chip, and a custom C2 modem.
And even if these upgrades are significant, the focus this fall could be primarily elsewhere: on the first foldable iPhone. In this context, the iPhone 18 Pro seems less like the big highlight and more like the model that reliably continues the line, while the real show will likely be taken by the foldable. (Image: Shutterstock / Framesira)
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