iPhone 18 Pro: Eight Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Apple debuted new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models in September 2026. The new models have a design that's largely similar to the iPhone 17 Pro models, with the main enhancements coming in the form of camera upgrades, a faster A20 Pro chip, and improvements in thermal management and battery life. Apart from the foldable iPhone Duo, which arrived in October, more substantial changes to Apple's smartphone lineup are not expected until next year, when Apple is expected to introduce a radically redesigned 20th-anniversary iPhone.

If you're thinking of trading in your current iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to next September's iPhone 20 models (Apple is expected to skip the iPhone 19 for its commemorative edition). Taken together, they may just give you pause for thought.

• A quad-curved, all-glass design: The display glass reportedly curves away on all four sides of the iPhone 20, concealing the metal frame during normal use for a borderless effect. Apple is said to be working with Samsung on an "equal-depth quad-curved" display to achieve the feat.
• Under-display Face ID and camera: Apple is reportedly continuing to test hardware that would eliminate the Dynamic Island, with Face ID components moving under the screen and an under-display camera said to be in development. However, newer leaks suggest a smaller cutout could remain, so a completely uninterrupted display is far from certain. Apple has already shipped an under-display camera on the iPhone Duo's inner screen, but reviewers criticized its image quality. Whether an improved version will be ready for the iPhone 20's rumored fall 2027 launch remains uncertain.
• Custom Apple image sensor: Apple is said to be developing its own stacked image sensor to replace the Sony sensors it has traditionally used for the iPhone. Apple has reportedly already developed a working prototype. The sensor is said to use LOFIC technology, which would let each pixel store varying amounts of light and potentially reach up to 20 stops of dynamic range.
• Solid-state buttons: Apple is said to be testing haptic replacements for the Side, Volume, Action, and Camera Control buttons. The buttons could be integrated directly into the device's frame, with no actual physical movement when pressed, yet retaining a tactile responsiveness.
• A 2-nanometer A21 chip: The 20th anniversary models are expected to feature a second-generation 2-nanometer chip. With the iPhone 18 Pro models now powered by the A20 Pro chip, the anniversary models would likely be powered by the A21 Pro.
• Silicon anode battery: Apple is reportedly exploring a new battery technology that uses a silicon anode capable of storing more lithium ions per gram, potentially delivering longer battery life without increasing the physical size of the battery.
• Mobile high bandwidth memory: Apple is rumored to be evaluating vertically stacked DRAM technology to improve memory bandwidth and boost on-device AI performance.
• Two sizes: The two anniversary models could have a larger display size compared to this September's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, which have 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays similar to iPhone 17 Pro models. In contrast, Apple is rumored to be prototyping a 6.4-inch display for the iPhone 20 Pro, and a 7-inch display for the larger 20 Pro Max.

With all that said, we're still ahead of a rumored fall 2027 launch, and Apple's plans shift constantly behind closed doors, plus features this ambitious have a habit of slipping a year or two. Under-display Face ID in particular has been "two years away" for about five years now.

Still, the combined leaks describe the most dramatic iPhone rethink since 2017 when the 10th-anniversary iPhone X debuted. If even half of the features make it to the shipped device, the iPhone 20 should be worth holding out for. For everything we know so far, check out our dedicated guide.