iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features - MacRumors
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iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for around five more months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices.


It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the screen on the devices, which will result in merely a smaller Dynamic Island.

Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models, as of April 2026:

  • Red Color: The special color for the iPhone 18 Pro models will reportedly be red.
  • Smaller Dynamic Island: It has been rumored that Face ID's flood illuminator will be moved under the screen on the iPhone 18 Pro models, paving the way for a smaller Dynamic Island on the devices.
  • 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch Display Sizes: The next Pro models are expected to have the same overall design as the iPhone 17 Pro models, including 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras.
  • LTPO+ Displays: More power-efficient displays could contribute to longer battery life.
  • Variable Aperture: The main 48-megapixel Fusion camera on both iPhone 18 Pro models is rumored to have a variable aperture, which would allow users to control the amount of light that passes through the camera's lens and reaches the sensor. This would provide greater control over depth of field. However, given that iPhones have smaller image sensors due to smartphone size constraints, it is unclear exactly how meaningful this improvement would be.
  • A20 Pro Chip: Apple's next-generation A20 Pro chip is expected to use TSMC's first-generation 2nm process, whereas the A19 Pro chip is 3nm. With a 2nm architecture and a new packaging design, the A20 Pro chip should deliver solid year-over-year performance and power efficiency gains.
  • C2 Modem: Apple's custom C1 cellular modem for 5G and LTE debuted in the iPhone 16e last year, and that was followed by a C1X chip in the iPhone Air. Apple says the C1X modem is up to twice as fast as the C1 modem, and the most power-efficient modem in an iPhone ever. The improvements should continue with Apple's third-generation C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro models.
  • N2 Chip: Most of the iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air are equipped with an Apple-designed N1 chip that enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. Apple says the N1 chip also improves the overall performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop. iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to have Apple's next-generation N2 chip, but it is not yet known what improvements would come with this upgrade.
  • A simplified Camera Control button with no swipe gestures.
  • Design changes to the rear Ceramic Shield for MagSafe charging, potentially including a more frosted glass appearance.
  • Web browsing via satellite.
  • The iPhone 18 Pro Max may be slightly thicker than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, perhaps to accommodate a larger battery.

Apple is expected to release the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a foldable iPhone in September, followed by a standard iPhone 18 model, a lower-end iPhone 18e, and a second-generation iPhone Air early next year.

Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro
Related Forum: iPhone

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Top Rated Comments

Octavius8 Avatar
7 months ago
And again, support for New Apple Intelligence, when it becomes ready in 2029…
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Shyos Avatar
7 months ago
“iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features” mostly standard upgrades instead of new features…
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
7 months ago
I'm good. Not seeing anything here of interest.

Still not a fan of the camera mesa. I guess it won't matter too much, as my 16 Pro is likely my last Pro model.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HouseLannister Avatar
7 months ago

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features
Same size screen is not a "new feature"
Removing the sapphire crystal from camera control is not a "new feature"
Thicker is not a "new feature"

And most of the rest of this list is taking existing chips and adding +1 to the number.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
7 months ago
I think Pro iphone users are going to be really happy with the Apple modem. Most people probably don't think much about the modem but it is IMO the most important thing on that list.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jsavvy Avatar
7 months ago
I think the Red color option is the most exciting piece of these "new features."
I know phone tech is rather mature, but maybe one day we'll get an exciting new feature.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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