iPhone 18 Pro to get some serious upgrades, here is what you can expect

The iPhone 18 Pro may not bring Apple's long-rumoured full-screen redesign just yet, but leaks suggest plenty of meaningful upgrades are still coming.

In Short

• iPhone 18 Pro series is said to get a smaller Dynamic Island and possible display upgrades
• New dark cherry and sky blue colour options is also leaked
• Under the hood, the flagship series will be powered by A20 Pro chip

The other day, one of my friends asked me whether he should buy the iPhone 17 Pro or wait for the iPhone 18 Pro. Now, that actually feels like a fair question, right? Well, yes, but then again, speculation around newer iPhones never really ends. The moment one generation hits the market, rumours and leaks about the next one immediately start doing the rounds.

So, coming back to the iPhone 18 Pro, there is already a lot of buzz surrounding Apple’s next premium iPhone lineup, with analysts and leakers constantly tipping what Apple could be planning and what changes may be on the way.

And if these leaks are anything to go by, the iPhone 18 Pro series may not turn out to be the dramatic all-screen redesign some people were hoping for. However, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are still shaping up to be fairly meaningful upgrades, especially when it comes to performance, cameras, battery life and even colours.

So, let’s take a quick look if you are also wondering whether to wait for the next iPhone or simply go with Apple’s current best iPhone right now.

Smaller Dynamic Island may finally happen

One of the biggest visual changes tipped for the iPhone 18 Pro models is a smaller Dynamic Island. Multiple leaks, including CAD renders and mock-ups shared online, suggest Apple could reduce the size of the pill-shaped cut-out on the front display.

According to reports, Apple could shrink the Dynamic Island by nearly 35 percent. Earlier rumours had suggested Apple was preparing under-display Face ID technology for the iPhone 18 Pro, with only a tiny hole-punch camera remaining visible. However, more recent reports now suggest the under-display technology may not be fully ready yet.

So, instead of a completely clean all-screen look, Apple may simply reduce the size of the Dynamic Island for now. Some reports even suggest the full redesign could get pushed further to the iPhone 19 series.

That said, Apple is still expected to keep the overall chassis design fairly similar to the iPhone 17 Pro lineup, including the triple rear camera setup and the large camera module on the back.

New colours could steal the spotlight

One of the most talked-about leaks around the iPhone 18 Pro series is the colours.

Leaked camera cover images allegedly linked to third-party suppliers suggest Apple is testing several new finishes for the Pro lineup. Reports from Macworld and Chinese social media leaks mention shades like dark cherry, sky blue, silver and dark grey.

The dark cherry option, in particular, seems to be getting attention, with reports suggesting it could have a slightly purple tint. Some leaks have also hinted at magenta and blue variants.

Reports also claim Apple may continue moving away from the classic black Pro iPhone finish for a second straight generation. There are also rumours that Apple is trying to create a more seamless colour blend between the aluminium frame and rear glass panel for a cleaner overall look.

Leaks also hint at the possibility of a slightly transparent Ceramic Shield section around the MagSafe charging area, though that part remains uncertain for now.

Cameras and display upgrades may be the real highlight

Another significant upgrade reportedly planned for Apple’s next generation of flagship iPhones is around the display and camera systems.

The iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to use updated LTPO+ display technology, which is said to be more power efficient than the current LTPO panels. That could help improve battery life without needing a major jump in battery size.

On the camera side, leaks suggest Apple may finally introduce variable aperture control for the main sensor. In simple terms, users could manually adjust how much light enters the camera, helping with low-light photography, exposure control and more natural background blur.

There are also reports of Apple testing a new three-layer stacked image sensor from Samsung, along with larger apertures for both the main and telephoto cameras. Apple is also said to be considering a teleconverter system to improve zoom performance, though it is not yet clear how that would work inside a smartphone.

A20 chip, better battery and smarter connectivity

Under the hood, the iPhone 18 Pro lineup is expected to run on Apple’s next-generation A20 Pro chip, reportedly built using TSMC’s 2-nanometre process.

According to rumors, the chip could deliver around 15 percent faster performance and up to 30 percent better efficiency compared to the A19 generation. Reports also suggest Apple may use a new WMCM packaging system that places RAM directly alongside the CPU, GPU and Neural Engine.

That could improve Apple Intelligence features, free up internal space and help battery performance at the same time.

Speaking of battery, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is tipped to get a battery between 5,100mAh and 5,200mAh. Combined with the efficiency gains from the A20 chip and the improved display tech, battery life could end up being one of the biggest upgrades this year.

Connectivity upgrades are also expected. Apple’s next-generation C2 modem could bring improved mmWave 5G and support for NR-NTN satellite connectivity, potentially allowing apps like Maps and Photos to work over satellite in certain situations.

Launch date

Apple is widely expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro lineup in September 2026, following its usual launch cycle, although some reports suggest parts of the wider iPhone 18 series could arrive later.

- Ends