Key takeaways:
- Options: Dynamic Island would possibly shrink, cameras may have a variable aperture and an even bigger battery might be on the way in which.
- Colours: Apple may launch burgundy, purple and brown variations.
- Value: There have been no leaks about worth will increase, which is sweet information at this level.
- Launch date: Apple would possibly cut up the iPhone 18 launch between September 2026 and February/March 2027.
We’re barely into 2026 and there are already a variety of rumors effervescent up about what Apple’s iPhone 18 lineup would seem like. The iPhone 17 collection impressed us with its surprisingly feature-packed base mannequin, the extremely slender iPhone Air and the boldly redesigned iPhone 17 Professional and 17 Professional Max. We’re hoping this yr’s lineup will shock us too.
Apple is just a yr or so away from the twentieth anniversary of the unique iPhone’s launch. Whereas the corporate sells extra telephones within the US than rival Android telephones, Apple is persistently behind Samsung for international gross sales and simply forward of Chinese language telephone makers like Xiaomi. There’s a lot at stake for Apple with the subsequent iPhone, in addition to constructing curiosity in a potential foldable gadget, such because the rumored iPhone Fold.
Already, a number of the hottest rumors embody Dynamic Island shrinking together with the likelihood that the iPhone 18 and 18 Professional could have the identical RAM because the iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max. Here is a take a look at all of the rumors and leaks we have uncovered concerning the potential iPhone 18 collection.
Newest rumors
iPhone 18 design variations
We had CNET’s artistic director present us what a coffee-colored iPhone Professional would possibly seem like.
We’re listening to there seemingly will probably be three fashions: the bottom iPhone 18, the iPhone 18 Professional and the iPhone 18 Professional Max. There additionally could also be iPhone fashions not on this collection, like a second-generation Air or the much-rumored folding iPhone. That would imply a complete of six iPhone fashions which are within the works in the event you embody the also-rumored 17E.
Designs for the iPhone have a tendency to stay the identical yr after yr and present rumors recommend this development will proceed. The display sizes of the three handsets look to be the identical as earlier than — 6.3 and 6.9 inches, respectively — with minor design variations within the digital camera bumps on the again. A Weibo tipster additionally seems to trace that Apple’s brightness necessities are extremely demanding, which could end in OLED provide points. This leads some to suspect it has a a lot brighter display.
The bottom iPhone 18 is rumored to have a smaller digital camera bump in comparison with its predecessor, whereas the Professional and Professional Max will retain the broader “plateau” to accommodate their three rear cameras.
Based on a leak from the Chinese language social media web site Weibo, the Professional mannequin may get a “refined clear end” on the rear glass panel. A Chinese language leaker reportedly stated that the iPhone 18 Professional may have a extra unified design versus the two-tone look it has now. Some rumors additionally recommend that it may have a heavier, thicker construct. Moreover, it would are available in three new colours: espresso, purple and burgundy. Espresso brown would possibly look like an odd alternative for a telephone coloration, however our personal Patrick Holland is open to the idea.
Different rumors recommend that adjustments could also be coming to the iPhone’s Dynamic Island. Mark Gurman from Bloomberg and Weibo person Digital Chat Station recommend that Apple could cut back the scale of the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 18 fashions. This might end in a small pinhole cutout for the digital camera, because the Face ID sensors could also be situated beneath the show.
The Data additionally lately reported that the iPhone 18 Professional and iPhone 18 Professional Max will characteristic under-screen Face ID, confirming the Bloomberg rumor. Moreover, the outlet additionally stated that the entrance digital camera can be moved to the highest left nook of the display and, in consequence, can be lacking the Dynamic Island cutout.
Contradicting that declare, the account Ice Universe alleges that the Dynamic Island cutout on the iPhone 18 Professional fashions will stay, however would as an alternative be “roughly 35% narrower” than it’s on present iPhone 17 Professional fashions. That is in relation to how the Dynamic Island seems by default; the world enlarges relying on Stay Actions or different info, similar to the prevailing Dynamic Island. MacRumors means that the brand new iPhone will solely have partial under-screen Face ID, which nonetheless requires the existence of a Dynamic Island.
We have examined under-display cameras on a number of telephones through the years. The a part of the show in entrance of the digital camera options fewer display components and translucent wiring, permitting the selfie digital camera to “see by way of” the display, very similar to looking a window with open blinds. Whereas the thought of getting a show with minimal or no cutouts is a worthy one, under-display cameras usually end in pictures with poor picture high quality. Nonetheless, possibly Apple is the corporate that can lastly work out methods to combine a digital camera underneath the show that captures high-quality pictures.
In any other case, Bloomberg’s Gurman additionally warns that the 18 Professional might be “underwhelming,” stating that it may simply have very minor tweaks. This can be a little bit of departure from prior iPhone Professionals, because the Professional has normally been the extra premium model of the iPhone lineup.
An even bigger battery for iPhone 18 Professional
After years of shoppers asking, Apple lastly selected battery over case slimness within the iPhone 17 Professional. And that mannequin continues to shock us, popping out on prime of Patrick Holland’s latest comparability of the battery life in 35 telephones. We’re particularly inquisitive about whether or not Apple will undertake new silicone carbon battery know-how.
Primarily based on a submit on the Chinese language social media web site Weibo, noticed by 9to5Mac, the iPhone 18 Professional may embody a battery in extra of 5,000 mAh — specifcally, 5,000 mAh for fashions with a bodily SIM card slot (as required in some nations) and 5,200 mAh for fashions that rely solely on eSIM (which surrender extra inside house that may be full of extra battery).
New cameras on iPhone 18
The iPhone 17 Professional had three rear cameras: a wide-angle lens, an ultrawide and a 4x telephoto.
The iPhone’s cameras are one other characteristic that will obtain a major improve in 2026. Macworld experiences that Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station stated the iPhone 18 Professional Max may get a digital camera with a variable aperture, just like how the lenses on DSLR and mirrorless cameras work. This enables individuals higher management over depth of subject and picture brightness. The Data additionally reported that not less than one rear digital camera on the 18 Professional would have a mechanical iris, one other identify for a lens’ aperture.
We have seen variable aperture telephone cameras earlier than. The Galaxy S9 launched in 2018 with a mechanical dual-aperture lens on its major digital camera that would change between f/1.5, permitting extra mild to enter and making a shallower depth of subject, and f/2.4, which sharpened the topic extra. However the S9’s picture sensor was tiny and pictures from it have been simply OK. Xiaomi had a variable aperture, between f/1.9 and f/4.0, on the 2023 13 Extremely and 2024 14 Extremely, however every had a big 1-inch-type sensor that would reap the benefits of it. Sadly, to the frustration of CNET’s Andrew Lanxon, the corporate eliminated the variable aperture on the Xiaomi 15 Extremely.
Macworld additionally says the telephoto lenses on the iPhone 18 Professional and Professional Max may get a quicker aperture, letting extra mild hit the sensor for higher low-light photographs. Moreover, MacRumors experiences that every one iPhone 18 fashions (besides the 18E) would get upgraded 24-megapixel front-facing cameras for improved selfies. We must always notice that the iPhone 17 collection and Air all have Apple’s new Middle Stage selfie digital camera, which has a sq. 18-megapixel sensor and might take both horizontal or vertical pictures, regardless of which method you are holding the telephones.
There’s additionally some hypothesis that the iPhone’s Digital camera Management button might be simplified. As an alternative of capacitive and strain sensors, it would simply be pressure-sensing for the entire Digital camera Management’s features.
Up to date A20 chip and iPhone 18 specs
The brand new iPhone fashions run iOS 26 and have both an A19 or A19 Professional chip: (left to proper) iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Professional Max and iPhone 17 Professional.
Because the iPhone 17 lineup makes use of the A19 and A19 Professional chips, it is smart that the upcoming iPhone 18 would use Apple’s new A20 processor. The rumored chips are stated to make use of a brand new course of referred to as Wafer-Degree Multi-Chip Module, which contains the RAM immediately into the identical wafer because the CPU, GPU and neural engine. This apparently ends in higher effectivity and quicker efficiency as a result of every part can be situated on the identical chip.
We’re additionally listening to that the iPhone 18 lineup may use Apple’s next-gen C2 modem chip for improved wi-fi connectivity. Moreover, The Data experiences that Apple is making ready to help 5G networks from satellites, doubtlessly giving iPhone 18 fashions full satellite tv for pc telephone capabilities, not only for emergencies and texting.
MacRumors lately reported that the iPhone 18 may have 12GB of RAM, based on a analysis notice by analyst Jeff Pu.
Though this isn’t unique to the iPhone 18, Apple additionally lately introduced that Google’s Gemini will probably be working its AI-powered Siri later this yr.
iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Professional launch date
The brand for Apple’s fall 2026 occasion invitation is interactive: a warmth signature stays the place you contact or click on and maintain.
For years, Apple has held its annual iPhone launch occasion within the fall. However based on a number of experiences, Apple’s smartphone launch schedule may look totally different within the coming years. Bloomberg reported that Apple plans to launch the iPhone 18 Professional, the iPhone 18 Professional Max and its new foldable subsequent fall.
The iPhone 18, the iPhone 18E and a possible iPhone Air 2, alternatively, may then debut six months later in February or March 2027.
Watch this: The iPhone 17’s Unexpectedly Satisfying Ideas and Equipment
