It may be over a year since Apple unveiled its iPhone 18 lineup, but leaks about the next-generation Pro models are already painting a raw picture of what could be one of the most advanced iPhones yet. From new camera technology to a refined display design and the company’s first completely in-house modem, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could be major upgrades. Although not necessarily in the ways you might expect. Here’s everything you need to know.

iPhone 18 Pro leaked: New camera sensor, new design, under-display Face ID and more

Familiar design with subtle refinements

At first glance, the iPhone 18 Pro series may not look much different from the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro. It looks like Apple will continue with the same overall shape, with a raised triangular triple-camera module on the back. The display sizes – 6.3 inches for the iPhone 18 Pro and 6.9 inches for the iPhone 18 Pro Max – are also expected to remain unchanged.

However, rumors suggest that Apple may make changes to the MagSafe area with a slightly transparent ceramic shield design, although details are still unclear. Overall, it appears that the focus is on refining the build rather than creating a completely new design.

Towards an all-screen iPhone

One of the biggest talking points about the iPhone 18 Pro is the possibility of under-display Face ID, a feature Apple has been experimenting with for years. Moving the Face ID sensor below the display will eliminate the need for the existing dynamic island, giving the phone a near full-screen experience.

However, reports remain mixed. Display analyst Ross Young and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman both suggest that Apple could reduce Dynamic Island, but not remove it entirely, in 2026. On the other hand, The Information’s Wayne Ma claims that Apple is aiming for a design with a single pinhole camera instead of an island. The general consensus is that the iPhone 18 Pro will mark an intermediate step – this time a small dynamic island, with a completely hidden Face ID system coming later.

Powering the next wave of AI

Under the hood, the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to run on Apple’s new A20 Pro chip, built on TSMC’s advanced 3nm process. While the performance increase over the A19 Pro may be gradual, the main upgrade depends on how the chip is made. Apple is said to be using a new CoWoS (chip-on-wafer-on-substrate) packaging technology, which allows tight integration between the CPU, GPU, memory, and neural engine.

This setup could make a real difference in how efficiently the phone handles on-device AI tasks, especially as Apple continues to expand its “Apple Intelligence” ecosystem, which is designed to process more data locally rather than in the cloud.

Apple’s first completely in-house 5G modem

Another big internal change could be the introduction of Apple’s C2 modem, the company’s next-generation in-house cellular chip. Following the C1 modem used in the iPhone 16e, this new version promises faster connectivity, better energy efficiency, and mmWave 5G support in the US. The change is part of Apple’s broader effort to reduce its reliance on Qualcomm, and if successful, it could make the iPhone 18 Pro the first flagship to be powered entirely by Apple’s own 5G solution.

New image sensor manufactured by Samsung

Perhaps the most exciting leak concerns the camera hardware. For years, Sony has supplied Apple’s image sensors, but that may change with the iPhone 18 series. Samsung is reportedly developing a new three-layer stacked image sensor (called PD-TR-logic internally) for Apple’s 2026 lineup. This design allows for faster readouts, lower noise and better dynamic range, resulting in sharper, more responsive shots – especially in challenging lighting conditions. If true, it would mark Samsung’s entry into Apple’s camera supply chain, signaling a major change in strategy.

DSLR-style variable aperture

Adding to the camera improvements, Apple is said to be testing a variable aperture system for the main camera on the iPhone 18 Pro models. Unlike the fixed f/1.78 aperture seen on recent Pro iPhones, this will allow users to adjust the aperture for better control over light and depth of field – similar to professional DSLR cameras.

In low light, the lens may open wider to let in more light, while in bright scenes, it may close down for sharper focus. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also supported this claim, noting that this would be the first time Apple would offer manual aperture controls on an iPhone.

5G satellite connectivity may come

Apple’s satellite-based emergency features may soon evolve into full Internet connectivity. According to the report, Apple is working on adding 5G satellite internet capabilities to future models, which will allow users to connect to the web even without ground-based towers. If successful, the iPhone 18 Pro and its siblings could become the first smartphones to offer true non-terrestrial data connectivity.

Simplified camera control buttons?

Finally, Apple is said to be reworking its new camera control button, introduced in the iPhone 17 series. According to Weibo-based account Instant Digital, the next version may remove the capacitive touch layer and rely only on pressure sensitivity to register gestures. This change is not about reducing functionality but about cutting production costs, as the current setup is reportedly expensive to manufacture and repair.

When will iPhone 18 Pro be launched? The next generation has a 2-stage launch cycle

It is being said that Apple is changing the way it releases iPhones for the first time. According to reports, the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the long-rumored iPhone Fold will arrive in September 2026, followed by the regular iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e in spring 2027. If this turns out to be true, it would mark the beginning of a new two-phase rollout strategy that will reportedly allow Apple to focus on its flagships and foldable phones before bringing out mid-tier models later.