10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

[MacRumors]

Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.

One thing worth noting is that Apple is reportedly planning a major change to its iPhone release cycle next year, adopting a two-phase rollout starting with the iPhone 18 series. That means the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Fold will be released in September 2026, followed by the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e in spring 2027.

Overall Design
iPhone 17 Pro Style
Rumors suggest the iPhone 18 Pro lineup will largely retain the same design as the iPhone 17 Pro models. The rear camera system will look identical to the current generation, featuring a raised "plateau" with three lenses arranged in a triangle. Display sizes are also expected to remain unchanged, with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max continuing to use 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch panels, respectively – the same dimensions introduced with the iPhone 16 Pro series. iPhone 18 Pro models could drop the current two-tone look of the rear casing found on the iPhone 17 Pro in favor of a more seamless aesthetic. For the next-generation models, Apple has apparently updated the back-glass "replacement process" to minimize the color difference between the Ceramic Shield 2 glass and the aluminum frame, resulting in a more unified appearance.

Thicker Chassis
Bigger Battery?
According to one rumor, the body of the iPhone 18 Pro Max will be slightly thicker than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, raising the device's weight to around 243 grams. That would make next year's iPhone 18 Pro Max approximately 3 grams more than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which is currently the heaviest model Apple has produced. We don't know the exact reason for the alleged thicker design of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, but a larger battery is the most likely cause.

Smaller Dynamic Island
Under-Screen Face ID?
Rumors continue to circulate about whether the iPhone 18 Pro models will introduce under-display Face ID, but reports remain divided on when the technology will actually arrive. The feature would move the TrueDepth camera system beneath the display, eliminating the need for the current Dynamic Island cutout.

According to Wayne Ma of The Information, Apple is targeting a design without a Dynamic Island, replacing it with a single pinhole camera in the upper-left corner of the screen. However, other sources dispute that claim. Display analyst Ross Young believes under-display Face ID is possible for the iPhone 18 Pro, but says a smaller Dynamic Island will still be present. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has echoed this view, reporting that the new models will feature a slimmed-down Dynamic Island rather than removing it entirely. Apple is also said to be testing new camera miniaturization technology to reduce the size of the front-facing camera currently located within the Dynamic Island.

Meanwhile, Chinese leaker Instant Digital has offered yet another version of events, saying the Dynamic Island will shrink in size, but that under-display Face ID and camera technology won't debut next year. Overall, the consensus suggests Apple may be refining the Dynamic Island before fully transitioning to an all-screen design in future generations.

A20 Pro Chip
2nm Process
The iPhone 18 Pro models will use Apple's A20 chip, based on TSMC's 2nm process for power and efficiency improvements. A move to 2nm fabrication increases transistor density, which will enable higher performance. The A20 series is expected to deliver roughly a 15 percent speed gain and about 30 percent better efficiency compared with the A19 series used in Apple's iPhone 17 models.

Apple's A20 chip will be packaged with TSMC's Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) technology, suggesting at least some A20 chips will have RAM integrated directly onto the same wafer as the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine, rather than sitting adjacent to the chip and connected via a silicon interposer. This could contribute to faster performance for both overall tasks and Apple Intelligence, and longer battery life from improved power efficiency.

C2 Modem
Replacing Qualcomm
Apple plans to include its next-generation C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro models, according to supply chain analyst Jeff Pu. The chip will succeed the C1 modem, which debuted in the lower-cost iPhone 16e as Apple's first in-house cellular modem, and the C1X modem chip in the iPhone Air, which Apple says is up to 2× faster than the C1. The C2 is expected to bring faster speeds, improved power efficiency, and support for mmWave 5G in the United States – a feature missing from the C1 a... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: 10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

 

[Parowdy]

Number one reason for MR readers:
It’s the first Cook-less iPhone in many years.

 

[rotvaldi]

Pink Rosé Paintgate ? Breakable chassis ? Come on Macrumors you look like paid advertising .

 

[MacsRgr8]

What about the colour black?

 

[HouseLannister]

Reasons to wait… it will be largely the same design and heavier? Well, I was going to get a 17 Pro, but ya sold me!

 

[HiFifreak]

You should have come with this BEFORE people bought it.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

You should have come with this BEFORE people bought it.

Most people haven't bought one. I've only seen one iPhone 17, of any flavor, in person and haven't seen the Air...just stick to whatever phone you've got.

From October 2nd:

5 Reasons to Skip the iPhone 17 Pro (and Wait for iPhone 18 Pro)

Apple unveiled its new iPhone 17 series in September, and the iPhone 17 Pro models feature a new-look design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive.

www.macrumors.com

 

[yuvaldv1]

So which one is it?

A20 Pro Chip
2nm Process

... will reportedly be built using TSMC's third-generation 3nm process

 

[ralph_sws]

what gibberish!

 

[gator210]

I'm waiting for the 10 reasons to skip 18 and wait for 19 .

Seriously though, you can write this style article for any product in the world.

 

[applyr]

I'm waiting for the 10 reasons to skip 18 and wait for 19 .

Seriously though, you can write this style article for any product in the world.

That's easy, there won't be an iPhone 19.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

How many more years will "Under-Screen Face ID?" be coming?

 

[spartan1967]

#11. The iPhone 18 Pro is going to be the "best iPhone ever!"

 

[reinisbaab]

Apple, please give us a black iPhone Pro! Not having it black was the main reason I did not upgrade from iPhone 13 Pro this year, even though I wanted to!

 

[Happy_John]

If you need or want to buy a phone, do so. If you don't need a new phone or don't want to buy a new phone, you don't have to.

Basing purchasing decisions on rumours about what might be available to buy in the future is somewhat dubious.

 

[phuklok1]

if you’re able to get under screen faceid, under screen touchid should be trivial. throw that in too for when we have the phone in our pocket, on a table, or outdoors on bikes, some sunglasses, direct sun, etc where faceid fails. would really love both, rather than just fail to passcode.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Number one reason for MR readers:
It’s the first Cook-less iPhone in many years.

iPhones have more than a year lead time.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Reasons to wait… it will be largely the same design and heavier? Well, I was going to get a 17 Pro, but ya sold me!

Slightly heavier and an hour additional battery life probably. Faster. Improved cameras. Losing the two-tone design for a more seamless colour transition between rear materials (glass/metal). Those are basic updates, but they are the main ones people care about IRL. Would like to see a third size around 5.7-inch, in addition to 6.3 and 6.9. No sub-naming (Max, mini, plus, etc), no numbering (18), just a good pro iPhone as one cohesive pro line in three sizes.

 

[Warped9]

I didn’t see one reason there to wait for the 18 lineup. If you’re ready to upgrade then do it now. You won’t be missing anything. In fact you’ll save money. Or if you can wait then wait for the deals on the iPhone 17 models that will inevitably arise not long before the 18s are released—you’ll get an awesome phone and save money.

In previous years I bought one or two generation older phones than the current new one. Most recently I bought my iPhone 14 a month before the 15 was released. The only significant thing the 15 had was a USB-C port instead of lightning. Big deal. With smartphones and computer tech in general upgrades a usually incremental and don’t make the current model immediately obsolete.

Last year in October I bought a 2024 model car just as the 2025s were coming out. I not only saved money, but I disliked some of the changes made on the newer models, like losing the physical switchgear for climate control. So it was a real win.

 

[Brapple]

#11. The iPhone 18 Pro is going to be the "best iPhone ever!"

…and the heaviest, sounds like. Wife had that heaviest on record years ago and that thing was a chunk. Not looking forward to that, to be honest. Battery is good enough on these 17PMs. Bring better battery to the iPP13s!

 

[kirk.vino]

OK! This is the second time MacRumors is reposting this old, outdated, and actually inaccurate info: “iPhone 18 Pro models, will reportedly be built using TSMC's third-generation 3nm process – the same node expected for the A19 Pro chip in this year's iPhone 17 Pro.”
Are you guys using AI now? Maybe proofread it before posting lol

 

[wanha]

so in summary, the reason to wait for the next iPhone is a series of incremental improvements

 

[Parowdy]

iPhones have more than a year lead time.

If it wasn’t apparent, my comment was sarcasm.

 

[AndiG]

Last but not least iOS27. If you buy an iPhone today you get iOS Vista …

 

[ab2c4]

The modem is the biggest upgrade on that list. I have been very happy with the Apple modem in the Air, noticeably better cellular reception than my previous 16 Pro and prior phones.