iPhone 18 Pro launching soon: Design, cameras, performance, expected price and more

Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 18 Pro series soon. If you are planning to buy a new smartphone, you may want to wait for the next-generation Apple flagship. From design to features, and of course the price, here is everything you can expect.

In Short

• Apple likely to bring new colours for iPhone 18 Pro
• iPhone 18 Pro likely to get faster chip, bigger battery
• Price may increase compared to iPhone 17 Pro models

Every year, millions of users wait for Apple to launch the latest iPhone. And the case will likely be no different this year either. The iPhone 17 series saw impressive demand when it launched in September last year, and now the mantle falls on Apple to improve with the next-generation of iPhones. The Cupertino giant is expected to launch the iPhone 18 Pro models soon – the vanilla iPhone 18 will likely come later – with some notable upgrades.

In case you are planning to buy a new smartphone, you may want to wait for the iPhone 18 Pro release. But if you are wondering if it will be worth the wait, here is everything we can expect from Apple’s next-generation iPhones.

iPhone 18 Pro: Design and colours

The first thing you notice when you hold a smartphone is its design. And Apple has a history of not making major changes to the iPhone year-over-year. Following the new camera plateau look we saw on the iPhone 17 Pro, it is likely that the iPhone 18 Pro will not see a drastic overhaul.

But what can change is the colours. Leaks suggest that Apple is testing a bunch of new colours for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max – Dark Cherry, Light Blue, Dark Gray and Silver finishes. That is to say, a black Pro iPhone may not be on Apple’s bucket list once again. The Dark Cherry shade, however, may be the new halo colour for the line-up, replacing the Cosmic Orange we saw on the iPhone 17 Pro.

Apple is also said to be refining the rear finish to create a more seamless look between the frame and back panel, unlike the two-tone look on the iPhone 17 Pro series.

iPhone 18 Pro: Display

While the design of the iPhone 18 Pro models may remain quite similar to last year, we might see big upgrades when it comes to the display. As per leaks, Apple may use new LTPO Plus OLED panels on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max that are said to be more power efficient and colour accurate. The Dynamic Island is also expected to be narrower, allowing for more screen real estate.

Though, the screen size is expected to remain unchanged – 6.3 inches for the iPhone 18 Pro and 6.9 inches for the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

iPhone 18 Pro: Performance and connectivity

Apple is expected to use its next-generation processor in the iPhone 18 Pro models, likely to be called the A20 Pro. As per reports, the A20 Pro could be built on a 2nm process. This should, in theory, make the chip up to 15 per cent faster performance and around 30 per cent better efficiency than the iPhone 17 Pro’s A19 Pro.

Some reports also say Apple may use TSMC's Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module packaging, placing memory closer to the processor to improve overall speed, AI-related tasks and internal space management. The Pro models are also expected to feature 12GB of RAM.

On connectivity, Apple is reportedly preparing its next-generation C2 modem for the iPhone 18 Pro models. Supply chain analyst Jeff Pu has said the modem could bring faster speeds, and better power efficiency. The move is also part of Apple's longer-term effort to reduce its reliance on Qualcomm for iPhone modems.

Reports have also linked the Pro models to expanded satellite features. The next stage could go beyond emergency messaging and eventually allow broader internet access through satellite networks, including possible support for third-party apps.

iPhone 18 Pro: Battery life

Another upgrade may come in terms of battery life. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are rumoured to come with larger batteries than last year. The iPhone 18 Pro Max may get a battery as large as 5,200mAh, up from the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s 5,088mAh unit. Though that is likely for the eSIM-only model. The India variant is expected to come with a slightly smaller cell.

This increase in battery size may lead to a slightly thicker body of around 8.8mm, up from 8.75mm, and a weight of about 243 grams for the Pro Max.

iPhone 18 Pro: Cameras

The cameras on the iPhone 18 Pro may see a big hardware change. Apple is reportedly testing a variable aperture system for the main rear camera, which would allow users to control how much light enters the lens. This may offer more flexibility in portrait photography and low-light shooting, and give users greater control over depth of field.

Some reports hint that Apple could use a new three-layer stacked image sensor, which is said to improve responsiveness, reduce noise and increase dynamic range.

Though it is likely that the iPhone 18 Pro will stick to three 48-megapixel sensors – a main, an ultrawide, and a 4x telephoto.

iPhone 18 Pro: Siri AI

At a time when ChatGPT and Gemini have become increasingly popular, Apple is finally bringing a massive update to Siri, which is expected to ship on the iPhone 18 Pro models.

As shown during WWDC 2026, we can expect the iPhone 18 Pro models to run on iOS 27 out of the box, and come with a dedicated Siri AI app. The new Siri, powered by Google Gemini models, is said to be better when it comes to on-screen awareness, understanding of personal context, and can do a lot more for you now. You can also expect more AI features across the UI including the Photos app.

iPhone 18 Pro: Launch and expected price in India

As per reports, Apple will likely opt for a new approach when it comes to launching iPhones. The iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the long-rumoured foldable iPhone will likely debut in September 2026, while the standard iPhone 18 may be pushed back to early 2027. The vanilla iPhone 18 is likely to launch alongside the iPhone 18e and the next-generation iPhone Air.

While pricing remains unclear, the current memory shortage may make it difficult for Apple to keep prices unchanged. Apple CEO Tim Cook recently admitted that “Price increases are unavoidable.” Though Cook did not explicitly mention the next-generation iPhones getting a price hike.

Reports suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro model may be priced at $1,299 (roughly Rs 1,22,500) in the US, a $200 (roughly Rs 18,880) increase from the $1,099 (roughly Rs 1,03,600) price tag of the iPhone 17 Pro.

In India, we may see a similar price increase if reports are accurate. To give you some context, the iPhone 17 Pro starts in India at Rs 1,34,900. While the iPhone 17 Pro Max is priced at Rs 1,49,900.

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