iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Year With These 12 New Features

[MacRumors]

While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another nine months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices.

Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models.

1. The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras
2. Under-screen Face ID
3. Front camera in top-left corner of the screen
4. Variable aperture for at least one rear camera
5. A20 Pro chip manufactured with TSMC's 2nm process and new packaging technology
6. A simplified Camera Control button with no swipe gestures
7. Design changes to the rear Ceramic Shield for MagSafe charging, potentially including a more frosted glass appearance
8. Apple-designed C1X or C2 modem for 5G/LTE cellular connectivity
9. Apple-designed N1 chip or newer for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread
10. Web browsing via satellite
11. New color options under consideration: burgundy, brown, and purple
12. iPhone 18 Pro Max may be slightly thicker than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, perhaps to accommodate a larger battery

Apple will likely release the iPhone 18 Pro models in September 2026. Bookmark our iPhone 18 roundup to stay on top of future rumors.

Article Link: iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Year With These 12 New Features

 

[Justin Cymbal]

Web browsing via satellite

This will definitely be one of the coolest features added in a long time

 

[martint235]

This will definitely be one of the coolest features added in a long time

Do you really find so many places currently where you can’t browse the internet but need to?

 

[adrianlondon]

Do you really find so many places currently where you can’t browse the internet but need to?

If it's free to surf using a satellite, then yes, there'll be loads of places as it'll save me buying local (e)SIMS when travelling 😁

 

[t0rqx]

Hope they won't cheap out on speakers and shielding. The iPhone 17 Pro Max make static electric sounds when being on the charger, and the speakers distort at certain tones. iPhones before that were much clear in sound.

N1 is beta seeing all those wireless (Carplay) issues.

 

[joshwithachance]

Everything I read about the 18 Pros makes me all the happier that I upgraded this year, because the improvements are going to be incremental at best. And that sweet sweet Cosmic Orange most likely won't be available for it either.

Web browsing via satellite sounds pretty cool however, though I personally would never have a use case for it.

 

[repoman016]

If it's free to surf using a satellite, then yes, there'll be loads of places as it'll save me buying local (e)SIMS when travelling 😁

Hopefully it's a bit more responsive than sending messages via satellite. Its pretty wonky, but works i guess

 

[roklanhavok]

Camera in the upper left is a horrible idea. I doubt that will happen.

 

[acblue94]

While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another nine months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices.

Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models.

1. The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras
2. Under-screen Face ID
3. Front camera in top-left corner of the screen
4. Variable aperture for at least one rear camera
5. A20 Pro chip manufactured with TSMC's 2nm process and new packaging technology
6. A simplified Camera Control button with no swipe gestures
7. Design changes to the rear Ceramic Shield for MagSafe charging, potentially including a more frosted glass appearance
8. Apple-designed C1X or C2 modem for 5G/LTE cellular connectivity
9. Apple-designed N1 chip or newer for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread
10. Web browsing via satellite
11. New color options under consideration: burgundy, brown, and purple
12. iPhone 18 Pro Max may be slightly thicker than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, perhaps to accommodate a larger battery

Apple will likely release the iPhone 18 Pro models in September 2026. Bookmark our iPhone 18 roundup to stay on top of future rumors.

Article Link: iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Year With These 12 New Features

Will is still be ugly?

 

[LifeArchitect]

My wish for the next phone is if Apple wants aluminum for thermals (a real benefit they've emphasized), then pair it with a tougher finish strategy so keys/coins don't turn the phone into modern art in week one

 

[johannnn]

I hope the camera stays in the center. I dont like asymmetry

 

[orev]

These things need to stop getting bigger/thicker. A super thin phone isn't really needed, but these big chunkers are getting to be too much.

People who complain about needing more battery life need to turn down their brightness, or are probably addicted and need to put their phones down.

 

[kenta_]

If it's free to surf using a satellite, then yes, there'll be loads of places as it'll save me buying local (e)SIMS when travelling 😁

LOL. Doesn’t work that way. It only works where there is no cell service, not when you choose not to buy a cell service.

 

[geta]

if there are no option to choose between Touch ID or Face ID, and smaller screen options - no interest.

 

[N0ughtsAndCr0sses]

The aluminium housing is too embarrassing

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Hopefully it's a bit more responsive than sending messages via satellite. Its pretty wonky, but works i guess

I’ve done iMessage via satellite a few times. A few back and forths took a good 10 mins, between the actual sending and waiting for the next satellite to come into view, and that was in the open sky of a desert in Utah.

It work, but it’s slow.

 

[BOB-86]

Lets hope the brown they choose, is not the same "****" brown as the zune

 

[sw1tcher]

If it's free to surf using a satellite, then yes, there'll be loads of places as it'll save me buying local (e)SIMS when travelling 😁

You really believe Apple's going to provide not only free but also usable (i.e. high-speed) satellite internet service? And how much of this free high-speed data do you think Apple will provide per week or month so people don't have to buy data service?

 

[deadspider187]

It's really the last 10-15% of performance that uses a lot more power. I would be happy if they slimmed the weight down and just focused on making the chip more efficient than more powerful. I would gladly accept ~10-15% (or possibly higher) more battery life and keep the performance the same as the 17 Pro.

 

[BGarza]

I'd skip my every 3 year policy on iPhone replacement, if they put out a brown phone. If they pick the right shade/sheen, it'll be welcomed by mod culture fashion. Personally, I'd go one step further and make a warm industrial antique copper brown metal patina color, where every model is uniquely steampunk.

 

[martint235]

If it's free to surf using a satellite, then yes, there'll be loads of places as it'll save me buying local (e)SIMS when travelling 😁

Agreed but unfortunately I can’t see it being free.

 

[PhoenixDown]

The aluminium housing is too embarrassing

I agree. When you look at the 17 Pro against the 13 Pro (stainless steel) and the 17 Pro just looks so cheap. It's a big reason why I didn't upgrade.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

"1. The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras"

How is this a NEW feature ?

 

[wonderings]

If it's free to surf using a satellite, then yes, there'll be loads of places as it'll save me buying local (e)SIMS when travelling 😁

Do you really think Apple would give free data? Why would you use your carriers data if you could get it free via satellite?

 

[HouseLannister]

If it's free to surf using a satellite, then yes

Not free and will be much like using Lynx most likely.