Apple fans wait for the launch of the new iPhone every year and the iPhone 18 Pro seems to be the model that will create the most excitement among them. As per rumours, it might feature some major upgrades - like a variable aperture camera, under-display Face ID, and a new A20 processor - that are way ahead of the current Apple iPhones. As per reports from industry experts (like Ming-Chi Kuo), the device will be launched in 2026 and will be a fancy model in the latest Apple iPhone 2025 lineup. These leaks suggest that instead of launching its 20th anniversary iPhone (iPhone 20 in 2027?), Apple is already working on a new design. This is why the tech-savvy Indian audience is also quite excited about the iPhone 18 Pro - especially when it comes to the new AI features and fancy camera improvements of iOS 19.
What's new in design (iPhone 18 Pro Plus)
According to leaked reports, the design of the iPhone 18 Pro will be quite different from the previous one. The biggest change will be in the screen cutout: Apple is going to bring under-screen Face ID, which means that the notch/pill-shaped cutout will be gone. In its place, there will be a small pinhole camera cutout in the top-left corner, where there will be space only for the selfie camera. The dynamic island (pill notch) can be removed completely. Ross Young and The Information have reported that the iPhone 18 Pro will have under-display Face ID sensors under the chip, which means that the front design of the phone can look completely clear edge-to-edge.
Under-screen Face IDSince this feature was delayed in the iPhone 17 Pro, it may come to the iPhone 18 Pro. This will give Apple the most modern full-screen look by removing the notch.
Pinhole selfie camera
There will be just a small hole in the top-left corner for selfies, the rest of the Face ID sensors will be under the display.
Material and size
Like the iPhone 17 Pro, premium materials (such as titanium frame or stainless steel) can be used in the 18 Pro as well. In fact, according to leaks, the iPhone 17 Pro model has titanium, so a similar strong and lightweight design can be expected in the iPhone 18 Pro. The size of the phone will also probably be around today's Pro (6.1″), making it easier to use.
Ports and buttons
There are currently no reliable leaks that the iPhone 18 Pro will remove USB-C or headphone jack. Apple considered a portless design in the iPhone 17 Air, but it is still postponed due to EU regulations. So it looks like the iPhone 18 Pro also has a USB-C port - despite wireless charging and syncing, it seems difficult to remove the port right now.
Technical specifications (processor, battery, display, etc.)
The components inside the iPhone 18 Pro are also expected to be very powerful. According to reports from supply chain analysts and leakers:
A20 Pro chip (2nm) - The new Apple A20 Pro chipset powering the iPhone 18 Pro will be built on TSMC's 2nm process. Apple used 3nm until the A18/A19, but the iPhone 18 will see 2nm technology for the first time. This nanometer shrink will fit more transistors on a chip, improving CPU/GPU performance by ~15% and power efficiency could improve by ~30%. (Meaning the phone will run faster and have better battery life.) Overall, the A20 chip will give the iPhone faster AI and graphics capabilities.
12GB RAM - The iPhone 18 Pro is reported to have 12GB of RAM. Nowadays, even high-end Android phones have 12GB/16GB of RAM and Apple is also following the same trend. The iPhone 16 Pro only had 8GB of RAM, but the iPhone 17 Pro and 18 Pro are expected to have a 12GB base, which will make multitasking and AI features run smoothly.
5G Modem (C2) - Apple is now moving towards making its own 5G modem. Apple first introduced the C1 modem in the iPhone 16e, and is preparing to introduce the C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro. According to analyst Jeff Pu, the C2 modem will be much faster and will also support US mmWave networks (which the C1 does not). This means that 5G data speeds will also be upgraded and power efficiency will also be better.
Battery - The exact battery capacity has not yet leaked, but an interesting report says that Apple is working on a next-generation battery technology. Rumors are talking about solid-state batteries or silicon anode cathode material, which can increase both energy density and capacity. According to a Korean leaker, this technology could arrive by 2026, which would be available for the iPhone 18 series. This means that the iPhone 18 Pro could offer long battery life even in its small size. Fast charging could also possibly be faster.
Display - The iPhone 18 Pro will likely feature a 6.1-inch Super Retina OLED display with 120Hz ProMotion support. Since under-display sensors are coming, the screen bezels will be very thin overall. Brightness and colour accuracy will be top-class, as always found in Apple Pro models. Some leaks have also talked about a micro-LED display, but this may only come in the iPhone 19 (2027). For the 18 Pro, expect a very advanced OLED display.
12GB RAM - The iPhone 18 Pro is reported to have 12GB of RAM. Nowadays, even high-end Android phones have 12GB/16GB of RAM and Apple is also following the same trend. The iPhone 16 Pro only had 8GB of RAM, but the iPhone 17 Pro and 18 Pro are expected to have a 12GB base, which will make multitasking and AI features run smoothly.
5G Modem (C2) - Apple is now moving towards making its own 5G modem. Apple first introduced the C1 modem in the iPhone 16e, and is preparing to introduce the C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro. According to analyst Jeff Pu, the C2 modem will be much faster and will also support US mmWave networks (which the C1 does not). This means that 5G data speeds will also be upgraded and power efficiency will also be better.
Battery - The exact battery capacity has not yet leaked, but an interesting report says that Apple is working on a next-generation battery technology. Rumors are talking about solid-state batteries or silicon anode cathode material, which can increase both energy density and capacity. According to a Korean leaker, this technology could arrive by 2026, which would be available for the iPhone 18 series. This means that the iPhone 18 Pro could offer long battery life even in its small size. Fast charging could also possibly be faster.
Display - The iPhone 18 Pro will likely feature a 6.1-inch Super Retina OLED display with 120Hz ProMotion support. Since under-display sensors are coming, the screen bezels will be very thin overall. Brightness and colour accuracy will be top-class, as always found in Apple Pro models. Some leaks have also talked about a micro-LED display, but this may only come in the iPhone 19 (2027). For the 18 Pro, expect a very advanced OLED display.
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Camera improvements (and periscope lenses, etc.)
The iPhone 18 Pro's camera system is also going to be next-level. According to Kuo and other analysts:
Variable aperture main camera - The primary 48MP Fusion camera on the iPhone 18 Pro will now have a variable aperture instead of a fixed aperture. This means that photographers can manually adjust the aperture setting - as is the case with DSLR cameras. Decreasing the aperture in bright light will reduce overexposure, increasing the aperture in low light will capture more light. Depth-of-field control may also be available - which means you will be able to customize the background blur. This will be the first time the aperture will be adjustable in an Apple camera and will add flexibility to the photo quality.
New image sensor (Samsung PD-TR) - Samsung will provide a new three-layer stacked sensor for the cameras of the iPhone 18 Pro. This advanced sensor (PD-TR-Logic) will be more responsive, reduce noise and increase dynamic range. So far, sensors for iPhone cameras have mostly been provided by Sony, but with this update from Samsung, photos will be better in low light and dynamic lighting.
Telephoto/Periscope lens - If recent leaks are true, the iPhone 17 Pro may come with a 5x optical periscope telephoto lens. This means the zoom photo quality will be at par with the best phones like Android. If the iPhone 17 gets it, chances are the iPhone 18 Pro will also have high-end telephoto (maybe even more zoom). There are no confirmed leaks about the wide periscope lens yet, but Apple is focusing on telephoto in its Pro series.
AI and computational photography - Apple's cameras are already smart, and in the iPhone 18 Pro they will be even smarter. Under Apple Intelligence, the camera app will get advanced AI processing - like better Smart HDR, advanced portrait mode, night mode AI enhancements, etc. 3D scanning (LiDAR) and AR features will probably get even smarter. Also, this new hardware (A20 chip and Samsung sensor) will make complex calculations easier, so a jump in computational photography can be expected.
New software features with iOS 19
The iPhone 18 Pro will launch with iOS 19, which is reported to have Apple intelligence and AI-powered features .
Some of the key features are as follows:
AI-powered battery management mode - Mark Gurman reports to Bloomberg that iOS 19 will have a special AI mode that will maximize battery life by analyzing your usage patterns .This means that the phone will decide on its own which apps to reduce power consumption, thereby increasing charging and running time. The feature is intended for models like the ultra-slim iPhone 17 Air (which will have a smaller battery), but it will work on all devices.
Charging time on lock screen - Gurman's report also says that the iOS 19 lock screen will now tell you how many minutes it will take for your iPhone to fully charge .The feature was previously hidden in the iOS 18.2.1 beta, and now it will finally ship. Many battery-related AI things will fall under the purview of Apple Intelligence.
User interface changes - iOS 19 is also expected to see design changes. The report mentions "big changes to the interface" and fewer glitches. Look for new widgets or layouts in shaded settings and notifications, and Apple will try to deliver a more polished experience. Beta testing will be run for review before launch.
Apple intelligence features - Apple has said that more features will come to the Apple Intelligence platform with iOS 19, including text generation (Siri improvements), photo editing suggestions, workout tips, all of which could be smarter (though the report mentions a greater focus on battery). Still, Apple's AI push will remain - such as improvements to Siri and Translation, or built-in generative AI for certain tasks.
Possible Pricing and Configurations
There is no official information on pricing yet, but here are some guesses:
Configurations - iPhone 18 Pro rumors suggest that the base model will have 12GB of RAM (as discussed above) .Storage options usually include 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB variants, so this can be expected as well. The 256GB/12GB RAM base configuration could be a benchmark. Like Harshari, higher storage (512GB, 1TB) will see a price jump. There could also be new options in colors like Matted Black, Blue, etc.
Price in India - iPhone rates in India remain high every year. A rumor site had tipped the base (512GB, 12GB RAM) price of the iPhone 18 Pro Max at ₹1,69,990. If this is the price of the 18 Pro Max, then the iPhone 18 Pro (base) price in India could start at around ₹1,29,990. (Earlier Pro models used to come at base ₹1.2-1.3 lakh). But keep in mind that this is just speculation. Apple also has plans for inflation and global price hikes - a report says that Apple may increase the price of the 17 series to justify the new features. So the iPhone 18 Pro could be priced slightly higher to give tough competition. Nothing is confirmed about the iPhone 18 Pro price in India yet, just know that it will be premium.
Configuration-wise - Since the Pro Max is the high-end variant, the base model of the iPhone 18 Pro will come with 256GB of storage, followed by 512GB/1TB options. There could be single SIM (NanoSIM) + eSIM, or dual eSIM support. The colour could be black, silver, blue or even a metallic shade.
Launch date speculation
No official date has been announced yet, but all leaks point to a launch in autumn 2026. Ming-Chi Kuo reveals roadmap that iPhone 18 Pro models and a new foldable iPhone will arrive in the second half of 2026 (around September 2026) . Ross Young also says that the iPhone 18 Pro will be announced in September 2026. After that, the standard iPhone 18 and a new iPhone 18e will arrive in 1H 2027 (around March 2027). This is a new change for Apple - previously all models were launched simultaneously, now in two stages. It is also rumoured that the launch events will be the traditional September 2026 WWDC keynotes, perhaps Apple's own special event or a virtual event. But teasers could start between July/August. iPhone enthusiasts around the world are eagerly waiting for the month of September again.
iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro
iPhone 17 Pro has not yet been officially launched, but let's compare the leaks:
Face ID and Design: iPhone 17 Pro (if under-display Face ID is delayed) will probably have a notch/dynamic island, while iPhone 18 Pro will have a very small pinhole cutout. That is, the edge-to-edge view of the screen will be clearer in the 18 Pro.
Camera: The main camera of the iPhone 17 Pro will be fixed aperture, but the iPhone 18 Pro will have variable aperture If the 17 Pro also has a periscope lens (5x) .
Processor: The iPhone 17 Pro will use the Apple A19 Pro (expected TSMC 3nm), while the iPhone 18 Pro will have the A20 Pro (2nm) chip . This means the 18 Pro should get an upgrade in both speed and efficiency.
RAM and Memory: Both (17 Pro and 18 Pro) are expected to come with 12GB of RAM .which is great for multitasking. Storage options are the same on both (256/512/1TB).
Software: The 17 Pro will come with iOS 18, but the iPhone 18 Pro will have iOS 19 pre-installed. This means the 18 Pro will immediately get AI features and the new UI, which the 17 Pro won't have initially.
Release timeline: The iPhone 17 Pro will launch in September 2025 like every year, the iPhone 18 Pro in September 2026. Apple may be testing new ideas in the gap between the two.
Overall, the iPhone 18 Pro will be a bigger upgrade than the 17 Pro, as it answers old questions: removing the notch, upgrading the camera in a new way, adding AI features, etc. iPhone 17 Pro users who don't want to return may want to upgrade to the 18 Pro.
Apple fans' expectations and market impact
Apple's dedicated fans expect something special in every new iPhone, and for the iPhone 18 Pro too, reasonable features are expected along with the price. There are some important things from the market point of view as well:
Features justify the price: Bloomberg/WSJ has reported that Apple is considering raising the price with the 17 series, but will justify it by adding new features and design changes .In the 18 Pro too, fans will feel that the more money they pay, the more new they will get (eg AI camera, under-screen Face ID).
Expectation of Apple Intelligence: Many fans expect that the Apple intelligence demo and the promises shown in the AI demo will now be seen in the real iPhone as well. Meaning voice commands and generative tasks, or AI filters in the camera, they would like to see some such features. If these come in the iPhone 18 Pro, then Apple loyalists will definitely be happy.
Impact on competition: Chinese brands launch iPhones early, Apple plans to launch in phases to fill this gap. If the iPhone 18 Pro comes on time and with strong features, it will help Apple in the global smartphone wars. Apple is gaining ground in markets like India: India will become Apple's third largest market by 2026 and sales could grow by ~20%. Local demand for flagships like the iPhone 18 Pro will also increase.
Market share - This is a crucial time for Apple. The iPhone 16 series was well received in India, and Apple is also planning to manufacture iPhones in India. If the iPhone 18 Pro has all the features right, it could attract users from the competition (Android phones). An article in Business Standard says that India is growing rapidly (growth of premium smartphones).With a strong phone like the iPhone 18 Pro, Apple's market share will improve in India and globally.
Fans are excited: Every rumor is being discussed in the tech community (like threads on Reddit, tech YouTubers, etc.). If the iPhone 18 Pro turns out to be this great in real life, Apple stores and online lines will be full. Fans are hoping that Apple will make the most "smart" device instead of the most "expensive" device. If the iPhone 18 Pro lives up to their expectations, we might see record sales again.
Conclusion
As per the leaks so far, the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro is a very advanced phone - it promises a lot of upgrades from design to performance. Features like under-screen Face ID, pinhole display, variable aperture camera, a new super-fast A20 chip, and the powerful C2 modem indicate that Apple is bringing a "next-generation" revolution. Also, the user experience could be improved even further with iOS 19's AI-powered features. Tech-savvy Indian users are eagerly waiting for this one, as on one hand, prices are being managed through government-backed local production, while on the other hand, premium technology is expected. Of course, these are all rumours - the final confirmation will come in September 2026 under the Apple banner. Until then, judging by the iPhone 18 Pro leak, it looks like Apple is once again going to take a big leap forward in its flagship. Now we all wait to see what Apple's "latest Apple iPhone" of 2026 brings with it!
