Everything we know about the iPhone 18 Pro before the announcement
There are a few weeks left until Apple’s autumn presentation, and the design of iPhone 18 Pro is gradually ceasing to be a secret. New renders of the smartphone in four color options have appeared online. At the same time, the images demonstrate one of the most noticeable changes to the front panel – a smaller Dynamic Island.
Four color options
The images show the iPhone 18 Pro in silver, dark gray or black, light blue, and dark cherry colors. The latest, known as Dark Cherry, is set to become the main new shade of the generation and replace the vibrant Cosmic Orange from the iPhone 17 Pro lineup.
This palette has appeared in leaks before. Earlier, supply chain sources reported that Apple is testing four shades with the following Pantone color codes:
- Light Blue – Pantone 2121;
- Dark Cherry – Pantone 6076;
- Dark Gray – Pantone 426C
- Silver – Pantone 427C.
Later, photos of the iPhone 18 Pro Max mockups appeared online in the same four colors, as well as images of the alleged camera module details. The coincidence of several independent leaks increases the likelihood that this exact palette will reach mass-production devices.
Smaller Dynamic Island
The front panel looks much more interesting. Judging by the renders and previous leaks, Apple will not completely abandon the Dynamic Island, but will significantly reduce its width.
Insider Ice Universe previously claimed that the notch width would shrink by approximately 35% – from 20.7 mm on the iPhone 17 Pro to about 13.5 mm on the iPhone 18 Pro.
Visually, this is a fairly noticeable change. Dynamic Island will retain its familiar central position, but will occupy less space in the status bar and obscure less content.
Information about the Face ID design varies. Early leaks claimed that Apple would move some infrared components of the face recognition system under the OLED panel. More recent data indicates that a full-screen Face ID is not yet ready. The most likely scenario is that Apple will partially redesign and reduce the TrueDepth components, enabling it to shrink the notch itself without fully moving the system under the display.
Moreover, insider Digital Chat Station claimed that the reduced Dynamic Island could even be postponed until the iPhone 19. However, the reduced area was present on several mockups and CAD renders of the iPhone 18 Pro, so the question will only be fully resolved after the official presentation.
Unchanging design
According to leaks, Apple does not plan to radically redesign the chassis. iPhone 18 Pro will retain the overall design of iPhone 17 Pro with a large camera area spanning almost the entire width of the back panel.
Screen sizes should also remain the same:
- iPhone 18 Pro – 6.3 inches;
- iPhone 18 Pro Max – 6.9 inches.
At the same time, the back panel can look more seamless. The iPhone 17 Pro has a glass insert for MagSafe that visually differs from the aluminum part of the body. In the new generation, Apple is said to have selected materials and shades so that the transition between them is less noticeable.
There are also reports of an increased camera module. On some renders, the thickness of the iPhone 18 Pro Max platform reaches approximately 11.54 mm compared to 11.23 mm for its predecessor. This is attributed to the main camera update.
Camera with variable aperture
The main camera of the iPhone 18 Pro is also expected to receive one of the largest changes in recent years – a lens with an adjustable aperture.
Unlike current iPhones with a fixed aperture, the new system will be able to physically adjust the amount of light reaching the sensor. This will allow better control over depth of field, reduce highlights in bright lighting, and capture more light at night.
At the same time, recent rumors suggest that a variable aperture may be reserved exclusively for the iPhone 18 Pro Max. There is no final information on this matter yet.
Other iPhone 18 Pro changes
One of the main technical updates should be the A20 Pro processor. This is the first Apple mobile chip expected to be manufactured by TSMC using a 2-nm process.
According to preliminary data, the transition to the new technology will allow for up to 18% performance increase and approximately 30% higher energy efficiency compared to current chips of the A19 family.
Also discussed is the transition to a new WMCM layout, in which RAM is located significantly closer to CPU, GPU and the Neural Engine. This solution should increase memory bandwidth, reduce power consumption, and free up additional space inside the chassis.
Another update could be Apple’s proprietary C2 modem. It is credited with improved 5G support and the ability to operate on next-generation networks via satellites. However, in some regions, Apple may still use Qualcomm modems.
When will the iPhone 18 Pro be announced?
Apple has not yet officially announced the date for the fall presentation. The most likely dates are September 8 or 9, 2026.
In autumn, the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the first foldable iPhone are expected to be announced. At the same time, according to multiple sources, the company has postponed the regular iPhone 18 to spring 2027 as part of a new strategy for a split launch of the lineup.
