Key takeaways:
- Options: Dynamic Island may transfer to prime left nook, cameras may have a variable aperture.
- Colours: Apple may launch burgundy, purple and brown variations.
- Worth: There have been no leaks about value will increase, which is nice information at this level.
- Launch date: Apple may break up the iPhone 18 launch between September 2026 and February/March 2027.
The iPhone 17 was launched just a few months in the past, however there are already loads of rumors about what Apple has in retailer for 2026 and past with the iPhone 18 lineup. Launched on Sept. 19, the iPhone 17 sequence impressed us with its surprisingly feature-packed base model, the extremely slender iPhone Air and the boldly redesigned iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. Perhaps, simply perhaps, subsequent yr’s lineup may shock us too.
Apple is lower than two years away from the twentieth anniversary of the original iPhone’s launch. Whereas the corporate sells extra telephones within the US than rival Android phones, Apple is constantly behind Samsung for world gross sales and simply forward of Chinese language cellphone makers like Xiaomi. There’s a lot at stake for Apple in terms of the subsequent iPhone, in addition to constructing curiosity in a attainable foldable machine, such because the rumored iPhone Fold.
Already, a number of the hottest rumors embrace the Dynamic Island shifting and that the brand new Professional fashions and the common 18 could have the identical RAM because the 17 Professional and 17 Professional Max. This is a take a look at all of the rumors and leaks we have uncovered concerning the potential iPhone 18 sequence.
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Newest rumors
iPhone 18 design variations
We had CNET’s inventive director present us what a espresso coloration iPhone Professional may appear like.
We’re listening to there’ll seemingly be three fashions: the bottom iPhone 18, the iPhone 18 Professional and the iPhone 18 Professional Max. There can also be iPhone models not on this sequence, like a second-generation Air or the much-rumored folding iPhone. That might imply a complete of six iPhone fashions for those who embrace the 17E.
Designs for the iPhone have a tendency to stay the identical yr after yr, and present rumors counsel this development will proceed. The display screen sizes of the three handsets look to be the identical as earlier than — 6.3 and 6.9 inches, respectively — with minor design variations within the digicam bumps on the again. The bottom iPhone 18 is rumored to have a smaller digicam bump in comparison with its predecessor, whereas the Professional and Professional Max will retain the broader “plateau” to accommodate their three rear cameras.
In accordance with a leak from the Chinese language social media website Weibo, the Professional mannequin may get a “delicate clear end” on the rear glass panel. A Chinese leaker reportedly stated that the iPhone 18 Professional may have a extra unified design versus the two-tone look it has now. Some rumors additionally counsel that it may have a heavier, thicker construct. Moreover, it’d are available in three new colors: espresso, purple and burgundy. Espresso brown may look like an odd alternative for a cellphone coloration, however our own Patrick Holland is open to the concept.
Different rumors counsel that modifications could also be coming to the iPhone’s Dynamic Island. Mark Gurman from Bloomberg and Weibo consumer Digital Chat Station counsel that Apple might scale back the dimensions of the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 18 fashions. This might lead to a small pinhole cutout for the digicam, because the Face ID sensors could also be situated beneath the show.
The Information additionally lately reported that the iPhone 18 Professional and iPhone 18 Professional Max will characteristic under-screen Face ID, confirming the Bloomberg rumor. Moreover, the outlet additionally stated that the entrance digicam can be moved to the highest left nook of the display screen, and because of this, can be lacking the Dynamic Island cutout.
We’ve tested under-display cameras on a number of telephones over time. The a part of the show in entrance of the digicam options fewer display screen parts and translucent wiring, permitting the selfie digicam to “see via” the display screen, very similar to searching a window with open blinds. Whereas the concept of getting a show with minimal or no cutouts is a worthy one, under-display cameras usually lead to images with poor picture high quality. Nevertheless, perhaps Apple is the corporate that may lastly work out learn how to combine a digicam underneath the show that captures high-quality pictures.
New cameras on iPhone 18
The iPhone 17 Professional had three rear cameras: an wide-angle lens, an ultrawide and a 4x telephoto.
The iPhone’s cameras are one other characteristic that will obtain a major improve in 2026. Macworld reports {that a} Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station stated that the iPhone 18 Professional Max may get a digicam with a variable aperture, much like how the lenses on DSLR and mirrorless cameras work. This permits folks higher management over depth of subject and picture brightness. The Info additionally reported that at the very least one rear digicam on the 18 Professional would have a mechanical iris, one other title for a lens’ aperture.
We have seen variable aperture cellphone cameras earlier than. The Galaxy S9 launched in 2018 with a mechanical dual-aperture lens on its essential digicam that might swap between f/1.5, permitting extra mild to enter and making a shallower depth of subject, and f/2.4, which sharpened the topic extra. However the S9’s picture sensor was tiny and images from it have been simply OK. Xiaomi had a variable aperture, between f/1.9 and f/4.0, on the 2023 13 Ultra and 2024 14 Ultra, however every had a big 1-inch-type sensor that might reap the benefits of it. Sadly, to the frustration of CNET’s Andrew Lanxon, the corporate eliminated the variable aperture on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
Macworld additionally says the telephoto lenses on the iPhone 18 Professional and Professional Max may get a quicker aperture, letting extra mild hit the sensor for higher low-light photographs. Moreover, MacRumors experiences that each one iPhone 18 fashions (besides the 18E) would get upgraded 24-megapixel front-facing cameras for improved selfies. We must always be aware that the iPhone 17 sequence and Air all have Apple’s new Middle Stage selfie digicam, which has a sq. 18-megapixel sensor and may take both horizontal or vertical images, irrespective of which method you are holding the telephones.
There may be additionally some speculation that the iPhone’s Digicam Management button might be simplified. As a substitute of each capacitive and stress sensors, it’d simply be pressure-sensing for all the Digicam Management’s features.
Up to date A20 chip and iPhone 18 specs
The brand new iPhone fashions run iOS 26 and have both an A19 or A19 Professional chip: (left to proper) iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Professional Max and iPhone 17 Professional.
Because the iPhone 17 lineup makes use of the A19 and A19 Professional chips, it is smart that the upcoming iPhone 18 would use Apple’s new A20 processor. The rumored chips are stated to make use of a brand new course of known as Wafer-Stage Multi-Chip Module, which includes the RAM instantly into the identical wafer because the CPU, GPU and neural engine. This apparently leads to higher effectivity and quicker efficiency since every little thing can be situated on the identical chip.
We’re additionally listening to that the iPhone 18 lineup may use Apple’s next-gen C2 modem chip for improved wi-fi connectivity. Moreover, The Information experiences that Apple is getting ready to assist 5G networks from satellites, doubtlessly giving iPhone 18 fashions full satellite tv for pc cellphone capabilities, not only for emergencies and texting.
MacRumors lately reported that the iPhone 18 may have 12GB of RAM, in line with a analysis be aware by analyst Jeff Pu.
Although this isn’t unique to the iPhone 18, Apple also recently announced that Google’s Gemini will likely be operating its AI-powered Siri later this yr.
iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Professional launch date
The brand for Apple’s fall 2025 occasion invitation is interactive: a warmth signature stays the place you contact or click on and maintain.
For years, Apple has held its annual iPhone launch occasion within the fall. However according to multiple reports, Apple’s smartphone launch schedule may look completely different within the coming years. Bloomberg reported that Apple plans to launch the iPhone 18 Professional, the iPhone 18 Professional Max and its new foldable subsequent fall.
The iPhone 18, the iPhone 18E and a possible iPhone Air 2, however, may then debut six months later in February or March 2027.
Watch this: The iPhone 17’s Unexpectedly Satisfying Ideas and Equipment
