iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max leaked: Design, camera, battery, price, launch timeline and more
Early leaks suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max could bring a cleaner front design, upgraded cameras, and better battery life when Apple launches the phones in 2026.
Apple is still a long way away from launching the iPhone 18 Pro series, but leaks have already started to give a pretty clear idea of what the company is working on for its 2026 flagship phones. If early information is accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could bring notable changes to the front design, meaningful camera upgrades, and a new internal layout focused on performance and battery life. For users wondering whether they should upgrade soon or wait, these early details may give them reason to pause.
iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max leaked: Design, camera, battery, price, launch timeline and more
Any design changes?
The most obvious update is expected on the front of the phone. Apple has been using the pill-shaped cutout for years, but leaked renders and videos suggest this area may eventually get smaller. Reports say Apple is testing Face ID components placed below the display, which would reduce the visible cutout to a hole. The front camera is shown to be located near the top-left corner rather than the centre, a layout that will look quite different from current iPhones.
The dynamic island is not expected to disappear completely. According to the leak, Apple plans to keep it, but in a less impressive form. The Dynamic Island can sit closer to the front camera near the top-left corner, making it less distracting during everyday use while also supporting the live activities and animations that users are familiar with.
At the back, the iPhone 18 Pro models are likely to sport a familiar look. Apple is expected to continue with the triple-camera setup on a raised module. That said, small visual changes may be introduced, including changes to the texture of the rear glass and how it connects with the aluminum frame. There’s also talk of new color options, with darker shades like deep purple, burgundy and coffee-like brown being tested for the Pro lineup.
Camera upgrade?
This time the cameras are expected to get a big upgrade. The leak suggests that Apple is experimenting with a variable aperture system for the main camera. Unlike current iPhones, which rely heavily on software to control lighting and background blur, a mechanical aperture would allow the lens to adjust light intake itself. This can result in more natural-looking photos, especially in low light. However, the feature may be limited to the iPhone 18 Pro Max instead of both models.
Another possible improvement includes a new three-layer stacked image sensor, reportedly from Samsung. This sensor can provide faster readout speed, lower noise, and better dynamic range. Both the main and telephoto cameras are said to have large apertures, which will help in night photography and video recording.
Chipset
Inside, Apple is expected to introduce the A20 Pro chipset. Manufactured using TSMC’s upcoming 2nm process, the chip is said to use a new packaging approach where RAM is placed directly on the same wafer as the CPU, GPU, and neural engine. This design can improve performance, energy efficiency and thermal control. Early estimates suggest about 15 percent faster performance and 30 percent better efficiency than the previous generation, which will also benefit Apple Intelligence features.
battery, connectivity
This tight integration can also free up space inside the phone. Apple could use that extra space to add a larger battery or improve cooling. A battery upgrade is already being discussed, especially for the Pro Max model. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is said to be slightly thicker to fit its approximately 5,100mAh battery. This could increase the weight by more than 240 grams, making it heavier than earlier iPhones, but it could also result in longer battery life.
There is also hope for improvement in connectivity. The iPhone 18 Pro Max may feature Apple’s next-generation C2 modem, which could bring back mmWave 5G support to Apple’s in-house modem lineup. This will help improve performance in areas where mmWave networks are available.
and display?
The display size is expected to remain unchanged. The iPhone 18 Pro may come with a 6.3-inch screen, while the Pro Max may retain the 6.9-inch panel. There is still disagreement among sources as to whether the dynamic island will be removed entirely or simply reduced, but most reports agree that the front end will look cleaner than before.
iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max: Launch Timeline
As far as the launch timeline is concerned, Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September 2026 following its usual schedule. Pricing details are still unclear. With the iPhone 17 Pro already priced at Rs 1,34,900 and the Pro Max priced at Rs 1,49,900 in India, Apple may avoid another big price hike. However, factors like component costs and memory pricing could still influence final prices, which Apple is unlikely to confirm until much closer to the launch.
