Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Month With These 12 New Features

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster


It is now August, and that means the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are just a month away. The devices are expected to look similar to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, but there will still be many year-over-year changes, with rumored features including a smaller Dynamic Island, 5G via satellite, and more.

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

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a foldable "iPhone Ultra" in the first half of September, and the devices should be released in the second half of the month. The regular iPhone 18, a lower-end iPhone 18e, and a second-generation iPhone Air will reportedly be announced around March 2027.

It has been estimated that the U.S. starting prices of the iPhone 18 Pro models could be $200 to $300 more compared to the iPhone 17 Pro models.

Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models, as of August:
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Larger Battery (iPhone 18 Pro Max): According to alleged Chinese regulatory database filings, the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have nearly a 10% larger battery compared to the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
  • Thicker Design (iPhone 18 Pro Max): It has been rumored that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will be thicker than both the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the iPhone 18 Pro.
Bookmark our iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Pro roundups to stay up to date with more rumors.

Article Link: iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Month With These 12 New Features
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/06/iphone-18-pro-next-month-12-features/
Last edited:
It is?

Did they secure enough memory this morning?

forums.macrumors.com

Apple Scrambling to Secure Memory Ahead of iPhone 18 Pro Launch

Apple and its manufacturing partners are racing to secure enough mobile DRAM to complete production of the iPhone 18 Pro and its first foldable iPhone, with around $1 billion worth of unpackaged processors reportedly sitting idle as they wait on memory chips, according to semiconductor analyst...
forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com
 
  • Haha
Reactions: centauratlas
So...just keep my current iPhone 17 base? Got it.

Might go get a new battery for $100, which is one of my favorite things to do at the Apple Store. They're always like "Why are you getting a new battery after 1 year? Your battery is fine."

To which I always respond, "Why do people get new iPhones every year with virtually no difference from last years model?"

A smile and a chuckle from the employee and we are on our way 😎
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: mistabrad, sparepillow, juju90 and 5 others
IF the leaks are true "C2" modem will be non-US Pro models. Pro US models will get Qualcomm. Will see what the Air and non-Pro models end up with.
 
Jeremy3292 said:
So...just keep my current iPhone 17 base? Got it.

Might go get a new battery for $100, which is one of my favorite things to do at the Apple Store. They're always like "Why are you getting a new battery after 1 year? Your battery is fine."

To which I always respond, "Why do people get new iPhones every year with virtually no difference from last years model?"

A smile and a chuckle from the employee and we are on our way 😎
Click to expand...
Yep, keeping mine. What's your battery's maximum capacity at? I'm at 97%, I got it in January.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jeremy3292
NVDA said:
Yep, keeping mine. What's your battery's maximum capacity at? I'm at 97%, I got it in January.
Click to expand...
94%, first use Sept 2025, 337 cycle count. I'll wait til closer to the EOY before replacing, like Oct or Nov. I also really love this base iPhone 17. One of those "unicorn" models that comes every now and again.

5-10% degradation is fine and normal but there's nothing like a fresh battery for only $99. More people should just get a new battery than get a new phone instead IMO. Most don't know this option exists though. Bad battery life = must get new phone, the way Apple wants it of course.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NVDA
Jeremy3292 said:
94%, first use Sept 2025, 337 cycle count. I'll wait til closer to the EOY before replacing, like Oct or Nov. I also really love this base iPhone 17. One of those "unicorn" models that comes every now and again.

5-10% degradation is fine and normal but there's nothing like a fresh battery for only $99. More people should just get a new battery than get a new phone instead IMO. Most don't know this option exists though. Bad battery life = must get new phone, the way Apple wants it of course.
Click to expand...
i was under the impression that apple wouldn't replace it unless it was under 80%. but why do you do it so often out of curiosity? you like the fact that the phone lasts longer throughout the day?
 
Overall it will be a small update compared to the 17 Pro series. Bigger battery is always welcome. Love my orange 17 Pro Max. Waiting to see how the new 'Cherry' color will be.
 
The 17 Pro Max already has great battery life. The prospect of the 18 Pro Max being thicker and heavier, albeit with slightly improved battery life, is not appealing to me at all. Not to mention the obligatory obsoleting of the current cases...
 
i4k20c said:
i was under the impression that apple wouldn't replace it unless it was under 80%. but why do you do it so often out of curiosity? you like the fact that the phone lasts longer throughout the day?
Click to expand...
They will for free if it is under warranty and under 80% life. I pay the $99 fee to have them do it. You can have them do it any time if you pay of course. For me having a fresh battery is worth $99. Phone feels brand new and lasts so much longer. 5%, 10%, etc. loss may not seem like a lot but in real life it is a big difference. I used to never charge my phone during the day when it was new, now I have to every day before leaving work.

New iPhone prices are also going up $100-$300 depending on model. $99 (or $119 for a Pro) for a new battery seems like a steal when there's nothing slow or wrong with the phone. I'd rather keep my phone and get a new battery for $99 then spend $1,000+ for a new iPhone.
 
  • Like
  • Love
  • Disagree
Reactions: Scoot65, rchaser and marblesbarkley
I know everyone has been wondering, so I'll just say it straight:

I'm sticking with my iPhone 15 Pro with 512GB.
Why?
Because it's more than enough, it's prettier, and it cost me £400 in pristine condition.

Surely at some point people will stop spending £1200+ (more?) every year? I mean, I can afford it, but I can't justify it.

Anyway - thought you'd like to know.
 
Jeremy3292 said:
94%, first use Sept 2025, 337 cycle count. I'll wait til closer to the EOY before replacing, like Oct or Nov. I also really love this base iPhone 17. One of those "unicorn" models that comes every now and again.

5-10% degradation is fine and normal but there's nothing like a fresh battery for only $99. More people should just get a new battery than get a new phone instead IMO. Most don't know this option exists though. Bad battery life = must get new phone, the way Apple wants it of course.
Click to expand...
Definitely, I went from a 13 Pro Max (with a new battery) to the base 17 and I like it a lot more. My pinky and wrist feel a lot better as well. I tried the 17 Pro during the extended holiday return period and then tried out a friend's base 17. Loved the lighter feel, went straight to Apple to do an exchange. My fiancée has the 17 Pro Max so she can take all the pictures 😉
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jeremy3292
Jeremy3292 said:
So...just keep my current iPhone 17 base? Got it.

Might go get a new battery for $100, which is one of my favorite things to do at the Apple Store. They're always like "Why are you getting a new battery after 1 year? Your battery is fine."

To which I always respond, "Why do people get new iPhones every year with virtually no difference from last years model?"

A smile and a chuckle from the employee and we are on our way 😎
Click to expand...
I needed this laugh.
 
  • Love
Reactions: Jeremy3292
jadot said:
I know everyone has been wondering, so I'll just say it straight:

I'm sticking with my iPhone 15 Pro with 512GB.
Why?
Because it's more than enough, it's prettier, and it cost me £400 in pristine condition.

Surely at some point people will stop spending £1200+ (more?) every year? I mean, I can afford it, but I can't justify it.

Anyway - thought you'd like to know.
Click to expand...
Rational consumer behavior.

“I can afford it but I can’t justify it” is perfectly stated.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back