iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max launch this year: Battery, price, design, display and other details leaked
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will launch later this year. Ahead of the potential launch timeline, details about the battery, price, design, display, and other aspects have been leaked online.
Apple may still be months away from officially unveiling the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, but leaks about its next-generation flagship phone have already started appearing online. Early reports suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could be one of the more meaningful changes to the Pro series in recent years. From potential changes to the front design to an ambitious camera upgrade and a major change in chip engineering, Apple’s 2026 Pro iPhones are slowly coming into focus. For users who are debating whether to wait or upgrade sooner, the upcoming models may offer a completely different experience. Here’s a look at the leaked battery, design, camera, chipset, and other details of the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro as well as the iPhone 18 Pro Max models.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max launch this year: Battery, price, design, display and other details leaked
design
One of the most talked about changes is related to the front design. According to a report from The Information, Apple is preparing to move the Face ID components below the display on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. If it does, it will remove the familiar pill-shaped Dynamic Island that has defined recent iPhones. Instead, the front camera is said to shift to a smaller hole located in the top-left corner of the display, resulting in a cleaner, less obstructed screen. While the overall size and build of the phone is expected to remain close to what Apple introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro series, this internal redesign could significantly change the experience of the display in daily use.
Despite the clean front, the rear design is likely to remain familiar. The leak indicates that Apple will retain its triple-camera layout on a raised camera platform. However, subtle refinements are expected, including changes to the back glass finish that can blend better with the aluminum frame. There is also talk of Apple experimenting with a new color for the Pro lineup, with shades like deep purple, burgundy or coffee-like brown being tested internally.
camera
Camera upgrades seem to be a major focus area this time. Reports suggest that Apple may introduce a mechanical iris on at least one rear camera, allowing variable aperture controls. This would be a change from the fixed aperture that Apple has used on Pro iPhones since the iPhone 14 Pro. A variable aperture can give users more control over exposure and depth of field, especially in difficult lighting conditions. While smartphone camera sensors still have physical limitations, this change may reduce reliance on software processing in some scenarios.
There are also signs that Apple may adopt a new three-layer stacked image sensor from Samsung on at least one Pro model. Such sensors are expected to improve speed, reduce noise, and provide better dynamic range, potentially leading to more consistent photo and video outputs. Both the main and telephoto cameras feature large apertures, which will help in low-light photography.
chipset, thermal management
Under the hood, the biggest jump may come from the chipset. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to come with Apple’s A20 Pro chip, which is built on TSMC’s upcoming 2nm manufacturing process. In addition to the smaller process size, Apple reportedly plans to use TSMC’s wafer-level multi-chip module technology. This means that RAM will be integrated directly onto the same wafer as the CPU, GPU, and neural engine, rather than being housed separately.
This tight integration can improve performance, enhance on-device AI features under Apple Intelligence, and increase power efficiency. It could also help with thermal management and free up internal space, which could be used for a larger battery or better cooling. Early estimates suggest that the A20 could deliver about 15 percent better performance and up to 30 percent greater efficiency compared to the previous generation.
battery, connectivity
Battery capacity is another area where users may see changes, especially on the Pro Max. It is speculated that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will be slightly thicker than its predecessor, a move that could allow Apple to fit a larger battery. This extra thickness could increase the weight of the phone by more than 240 grams, making it the heaviest iPhone ever. Although this may be a concern for some users, Apple may justify the extra weight with longer battery life. The 18 Pro Max may have a 5,100mAh battery.
Connectivity upgrades are also in the plans. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to feature Apple’s next-generation C2 modem, which could eventually bring mmWave 5G support back to Apple’s in-house modem lineup. This will reduce the performance gap with Qualcomm-powered iPhones and improve high-speed 5G connectivity in supported regions.
Display
As far as the display is concerned, the size is expected to remain unchanged. The iPhone 18 Pro is likely to stick with a 6.3-inch screen, while the Pro Max should continue with a 6.9-inch panel. However, there is still disagreement among sources on whether Apple will remove Dynamic Island entirely or simply make it smaller. Some reports simply point to a pinhole design, while others suggest that a thinner dynamic island could co-exist with improvements to the Face ID hardware.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: Launch Timeline (Expected)
In terms of launch timeline, Apple is expected to follow its usual schedule. iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are currently expected to be launched in September 2026. However, the standard iPhone 18 model may arrive later, possibly in 2027, although Apple has not confirmed anything yet.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: Price in India (expected)
At this stage, there is no clear indication that Apple will introduce a price increase for its iPhone 18 lineup, expected in 2026. The company has already adjusted pricing with the current generation, making another hike unlikely. While the iPhone 17 Pro becomes more expensive in 2025, Apple decided not to touch the starting price of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, keeping it at $1,199 and placing it slightly below Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Apple may reconsider its pricing if rival brands, especially Samsung, raise flagship prices in the near future. However, this remains speculation. Another factor being closely monitored is the ongoing shortage of RAM components, which some Apple observers have cited as a cost pressure that could ultimately impact iPhone prices.
In India, the change in pricing is already visible with the iPhone 17 series. The standard iPhone 17 now starts at Rs 82,900 for the base 256GB variant, which is higher than the iPhone 16’s starting price of Rs 79,900. The iPhone 17 Pro has seen a sharp rise, with its base 256GB model priced at Rs 1,34,900, while the iPhone 16 Pro is priced at Rs 1,19,900. The price of the Pro Max variant has also increased, with a starting price of Rs 1,49,900, which was Rs 1,44,900 last year.
Since Apple has already increased prices with the iPhone 17 lineup in India, the company may choose to keep prices stable with the iPhone 18 series to maintain buyer interest. That said, Apple hasn’t shared any plans yet, leaving the final pricing strategy open for now.