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iPhone 18 Pro Launching in September With These 10 New Features

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While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not launching until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices.

Four-iPhone-18-Pro-Colors-Mock-Feature.jpg

It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the screen on the devices, which will result in merely a smaller Dynamic Island.

Below, we have recapped 10 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models, as of April 20:
  • Dark Cherry: The special color for the iPhone 18 Pro models will reportedly be Dark Cherry, alongside Light Blue, Dark Gray, and Silver. The existing Cosmic Orange and Deep Blue colors are expected to be discontinued.
  • Smaller Dynamic Island: It has been rumored that Face ID's flood illuminator will be moved under the screen on the iPhone 18 Pro models, paving the way for a smaller Dynamic Island on the devices.
  • LTPO+ Displays: The next Pro models are expected to have the same overall design as the iPhone 17 Pro models, including 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras. However, the displays will reportedly use so-called LTPO+ display technology, which should contribute to longer battery life.
  • Variable Aperture: The main 48-megapixel Fusion camera on both iPhone 18 Pro models is rumored to have a variable aperture, which would allow users to control the amount of light that passes through the camera's lens and reaches the sensor. This would provide greater control over depth of field. However, given that iPhones have smaller image sensors due to smartphone size constraints, it is unclear exactly how meaningful this improvement would be.
  • A20 Pro Chip: Apple's next-generation A20 Pro chip is expected to use TSMC's first-generation 2nm process, whereas the A19 Pro chip is 3nm. With a 2nm architecture and a new packaging design, the A20 Pro chip should deliver solid year-over-year performance and power efficiency gains.
  • C2 Modem: Apple's custom C1 cellular modem for 5G and LTE debuted in the iPhone 16e last year, and that was followed by a C1X chip in the iPhone Air. Apple says the C1X modem is up to twice as fast as the C1 modem, and the most power-efficient modem in an iPhone ever. The improvements should continue with Apple's third-generation C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro models.
  • 5G via Satellite: With the C2 modem, the iPhone 18 Pro models will reportedly support 5G via satellite for web browsing without Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity.
  • N2 Chip: Most of the iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air are equipped with an Apple-designed N1 chip that enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. Apple says the N1 chip also improves the overall performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop. iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to have Apple's next-generation N2 chip, but it is not yet known what improvements would come with this upgrade.
  • Simplified Camera Control: Apple is expected to simplify the Camera Control button on the iPhone 18 Pro models, by removing touch sensitivity and haptic feedback. The redesigned button will only have pressure sensitivity.
  • Redesigned Rear Ceramic Shield: The rear Ceramic Shield area for MagSafe is rumored to feature a more frosted and seamless appearance on the iPhone 18 Pro models compared to the current two-tone design.
Apple is expected to release the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a foldable iPhone in September, followed by a standard iPhone 18 model, a lower-end iPhone 18e, and a second-generation iPhone Air early next year.

Article Link: iPhone 18 Pro Launching in September With These 10 New Features
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/20/iphone-18-pro-list-of-10-new-features/
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Of course, most of the changes are just adding +1 to all the numbers and some cosmetic changes.

The removal of the sapphire crystal on the camera control is not a new feature, though Apple will most likely spin the software changes as an improvement. It's a cost-cutting measure, but I'm fine with it.

At least you stopped listing "slightly thicker" as a new feature.
 
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As has been the case for the last several years, putting the specs side by side in the Apple iPhone comparison table of the current iPhone Pro Max and comparing it to the new iPhone Pro Max one can see the two or three actual differences that Apple thinks folks will shell out close to $2,000 or more (with tax and Apple care) to acquire.

There may not be as many golden geese in the pond this year with our economy having challenges. So, the brain trusts at Apple are probably contemplating that factor for the production runs?????
 
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HouseLannister said:
Of course, most of the changes are just adding +1 to all the numbers and some cosmetic changes.

The removal of the sapphire crystal on the camera control is not a new feature, though Apple will most likely spin the software changes as an improvement. It's a cost-cutting measure, but I'm fine with it.

At least you stopped listing "slightly thicker" as a new feature.
Click to expand...

I disabled all the pressure-sensitive and swipe junk on my camera control about two weeks after purchase. It's way too finicky, and just easier to tap the screen if you really need to change those settings. It makes a fine camera launcher and shutter button...
 
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I wonder if anyone tagged the subtle meaning behind last years' colours?

The Dark Blue and Orange notes are often found (but not the sole domain of) on outdoor wear and hiking gear which are stereotypically (but not actually. Can't stress that enough!!) masculine pursuits. The phone is unapologetically a chonk, giving off tank-like vibes to say it means business. It is subtley marketed as a masculine phone even though it appeals to all.

By contrast the subtle off-white blues and golds evoke a more effeminate form, with a slender chassis and an eye on fashion over pure function. Whether Apple thought the phone appeals more to women over men is up for debate.

The regular 17? The early springtime flowery tones denote a rebirth or fresh beginning of sorts.

You might think I'm mad but I used to teach Product Design and this is exactly the sort of in-depth research a company like Apple does when it comes to shading its devices for the coming year.

As for the latest rumours? I might have said they were going for sky sort of colours but I've no ideas where the Cadburys Dairy Milk one fits in. They should have gone for a more subtle orange/yellow two-tone anodisation model instead.
 
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I like both coloured options better than last year‘s, although the previously rumoured red looked better. But I bought a Pro last year and I still find it pretty ugly overall, so if I decided to buy another one this year, I‘d contemplate going for a standard or even an Air. If the Air got a second camera, I‘d be seriously tempted.
 
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Hopefully the 18 Pro won’t reach entirely new heights price wise thanks to the insane costs of RAM. I’d like to replace my 14 Pro. Its battery is so weak already, it barely lasts a whole day.
 
You forgot the rounded edge for the plateau.

Anyway, I like the brighter colors of the past. My favorite was the desert khaki color (of the 16s which kinda sucks and less bang for buck vs the 15s or 17s series).
 
I remember the first variable aperture in an Android phone (some Chinese phone, maybe a Xiaomi?) years ago and basically no test showed any improvement, so reviewers called it a gimmick.
Since I thought the idea was cool, I wondered how it was even possible that it was useless. Hope this is a meaningful improvement.
 
MacRumors said:


While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not launching until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices.

Four-iPhone-18-Pro-Colors-Mock-Feature.jpg

It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the screen on the devices, which will result in merely a smaller Dynamic Island.

Below, we have recapped 10 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models, as of April 20:
  • Dark Cherry: The special color for the iPhone 18 Pro models will reportedly be Dark Cherry, alongside Light Blue, Dark Gray, and Silver. The existing Cosmic Orange and Deep Blue colors are expected to be discontinued.
  • Smaller Dynamic Island: It has been rumored that Face ID's flood illuminator will be moved under the screen on the iPhone 18 Pro models, paving the way for a smaller Dynamic Island on the devices.
  • LTPO+ Displays: The next Pro models are expected to have the same overall design as the iPhone 17 Pro models, including 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras. However, the displays will reportedly use so-called LTPO+ display technology, which should contribute to longer battery life.
  • Variable Aperture: The main 48-megapixel Fusion camera on both iPhone 18 Pro models is rumored to have a variable aperture, which would allow users to control the amount of light that passes through the camera's lens and reaches the sensor. This would provide greater control over depth of field. However, given that iPhones have smaller image sensors due to smartphone size constraints, it is unclear exactly how meaningful this improvement would be.
  • A20 Pro Chip: Apple's next-generation A20 Pro chip is expected to use TSMC's first-generation 2nm process, whereas the A19 Pro chip is 3nm. With a 2nm architecture and a new packaging design, the A20 Pro chip should deliver solid year-over-year performance and power efficiency gains.
  • C2 Modem: Apple's custom C1 cellular modem for 5G and LTE debuted in the iPhone 16e last year, and that was followed by a C1X chip in the iPhone Air. Apple says the C1X modem is up to twice as fast as the C1 modem, and the most power-efficient modem in an iPhone ever. The improvements should continue with Apple's third-generation C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro models.
  • 5G via Satellite: With the C2 modem, the iPhone 18 Pro models will reportedly support 5G via satellite for web browsing without Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity.
  • N2 Chip: Most of the iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air are equipped with an Apple-designed N1 chip that enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. Apple says the N1 chip also improves the overall performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop. iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to have Apple's next-generation N2 chip, but it is not yet known what improvements would come with this upgrade.
  • Simplified Camera Control: Apple is expected to simplify the Camera Control button on the iPhone 18 Pro models, by removing touch sensitivity and haptic feedback. The redesigned button will only have pressure sensitivity.
  • Redesigned Rear Ceramic Shield: The rear Ceramic Shield area for MagSafe is rumored to feature a more frosted and seamless appearance on the iPhone 18 Pro models compared to the current two-tone design.
Apple is expected to release the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a foldable iPhone in September, followed by a standard iPhone 18 model, a lower-end iPhone 18e, and a second-generation iPhone Air early next year.

Article Link: iPhone 18 Pro Launching in September With These 10 New Features
Click to expand...
Some seem color happy, and there I am thinkkng, what terrible color options.
 
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O.N.Y.X said:
Hopefully the 18 Pro won’t reach entirely new heights price wise thanks to the insane costs of RAM. I’d like to replace my 14 Pro. Its battery is so weak already, it barely lasts a whole day.
Click to expand...
Greetings, fellow iPhone 14 Pro brother. My battery's been getting weak as well lately, but since all the new iPhones since the 14 Pro don't really do anything more for me, I'm just going to replace the battery this year and keep plodding along until Apple stops giving it iOS updates, or there truly is a monumental update other than spec bumps.
 
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Man that dark gray black is 🔥! Let’s not forget how we thought we will be getting this color way with the 17 Pro series. I hope that this is not simply a mistranslation since I feel that black really goes too well with this current design.
 
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For whatever it is worth, I wouldn’t get variable aperture to increase depth of field on a phone camera. What variable capture can do and would be of value to me, is by reducing the light reaching the sensor it increases how bright a scene can be without blowing out the highlights. Phones – and standard cameras – attempt to avoid highlights blowing out by increasing shutter speed and decreasing ISO, which is the sensor sensitivity. But closing down the aperture provides an additional control that gives more flexibility and can avoid highlights blowing out in a wider range of conditions. Technically, this does not increase the dynamic range, which is a factor of the sensor and software. But it does increase the range of situations where you can make pictures without highlights blowing out.
 
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I told myself I was not missing out on the next purple iPhone pro max. So it looks like I will be getting the 18 Pro Max.

Hopefully simplifying the camera control button will simplify 3rd party case support for this if it is just a button again. Finding a case for the iPhone 17 pro max was beyond annoying because over half the cases just leave the camera control button uncovered.
 
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