iPhone 18 Pro Max, 18 Pro leaked: Battery, camera, design, launch, price and other details
Early iPhone 18 Pro Max and 18 Pro leaks point to a cleaned-up front design, major camera upgrades, and a larger battery, revealing what Apple is planning for its 2026 flagships.
It may still be about 7 months before Apple launches the iPhone 18 Pro series, but that hasn’t stopped leaks from giving early expectations about its 2026 flagship phones. Over the past few weeks, multiple reports have pointed in the same direction, with visible changes to the front, deep camera upgrades, and internal tweaks aimed at improving performance and battery life. For users who are already debating whether to upgrade soon or wait for another cycle, early photos of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max offer a lot to think about. We’ll also take a look at price expectations for upcoming models. here are the details.
iPhone 18 Pro Max, 18 Pro leaked: Battery, camera, design, launch, price and other details
Design: Any updates?
One of the most talked about changes is the front design. Apple has relied on the pill-shaped cutout and Dynamic Island for generations now, but that may finally be starting to change. Leaked renders and early test units suggest that Apple is experimenting with moving Face ID components below the display. If it works as planned, the visible cutout may shrink to a hole for the front camera. Interestingly, the camera is shown to be located near the top-left corner instead of the centre, which makes the phone look completely different from current iPhones.
The dynamic island is not expected to disappear completely. Instead, it appears that Apple is converting it into a more subtle element. The leak suggests it could sit closer to the front camera and take up less space, making it feel less intrusive during everyday use, while still supporting the live activities, navigation cues, and music controls that users have become accustomed to.
Apple, on the other hand, seems to have less interest in reinventing the wheel. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are likely to come with a triple-camera setup on a raised module. That said, small refinements are expected. The report mentions changes to the back glass finish and how it blends into the aluminum frame. There is also talk about new color options for the Pro lineup, with darker shades like deep purple, burgundy and even coffee-like brown being tested internally.
cameras?
However, cameras are an area where Apple could put more emphasis. One of the more interesting leaks points towards a variable aperture system for the main camera. Unlike the fixed aperture used on current iPhones, a mechanical aperture would allow the lens to adjust how much light it lets in. This can help deliver more natural background blur and better low-light shots without relying solely on software processing. Although not all models may get this feature, some reports suggest that it may be exclusive to the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Another expected upgrade is a new three-layer stacked image sensor, which is said to be sourced from Samsung. This sensor design can improve readout speed, reduce image noise and provide better dynamic range. Additionally, both the main and telephoto cameras feature larger apertures, which will help with night photography and video recording, two areas Apple continues to focus on.
chipset, battery, connectivity
Apple is expected to introduce the A20 Pro chipset inside the phone. Built on TSMC’s upcoming 2nm process, the chip is said to use a new packaging method where RAM is placed directly on the same wafer as the CPU, GPU, and neural engine. This tight integration can improve speed, efficiency and heat management. Early estimates point to about a 15 percent increase in performance and 30 percent better power efficiency compared to the previous generation, which could also support more advanced Apple Intelligence features.
This internal redesign may also free up space inside the chassis. Apple could use that extra room to improve cooling or fit in a larger battery. 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 accommodate its approximately 5,100mAh battery. This may increase the weight by more than 240 grams, making it heavier than earlier models, but many users may be willing to accept this compromise for longer battery life.
Connectivity is another area where changes are expected. The iPhone 18 Pro Max may feature Apple’s next-generation C2 modem. If accurate, this will bring mmWave 5G support back to Apple’s in-house modem lineup, improving network performance in areas where mmWave is available.
Display
As far as the display is concerned, the size is likely to remain the same. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to retain the 6.3-inch screen, while the Pro Max may stick with a 6.9-inch panel. There is still some disagreement among sources on 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 Max, 18 Pro: price expectations
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September 2026, following its usual launch cycle. However, the price remains a big question mark. 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 be cautious about increasing the prices even higher. The iPhone 17 price hike has already reduced the scope for another huge hike, especially in price-sensitive markets like India.
Looking at the trends so far, Apple may choose to keep the price broadly the same for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup to avoid additional pressure on buyers and remain competitive against premium Android flagships. That said, factors like component costs, memory pricing, and supply-chain constraints could still affect the final numbers. As always, Apple is unlikely to confirm anything until much closer to launch, leaving these early leaks as a glimpse of what could be a meaningful upgrade cycle for the iPhone.
