iPhone 18 Pro: Nine Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

[MacRumors]

Apple is set to unveil new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models on Wednesday, September 9, and the devices are expected to feature a design that's largely similar to the iPhone 17 Pro models, with a peppering of enhancements inside. Major changes are not expected until next year, when Apple is expected to introduce a radically redesigned 20th-anniversary iPhone.

If you're thinking of trading in your current iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to next September's iPhone 20 models (Apple is expected to skip the iPhone 19 for its commemorative edition). Taken together, they may just give you pause for thought.

• A quad-curved, all-glass design: The display glass reportedly curves away on all four sides of the iPhone 20, concealing the metal frame during normal use for a borderless effect. Apple is said to be working with Samsung on an "equal-depth quad-curved" display to achieve the feat.
• Advanced OLED technology: Apple is planning to use a brighter, thinner OLED panel for the 20th anniversary iPhone. Rumors suggest that Apple will adopt Samsung ‌OLED‌ displays with Color Filter on Encapsulation (COE) technology, which reduces the thickness of the overall display stack, and lets more light through to improve brightness while reducing power draw.
• Under-display Face ID and camera: Apple is reportedly continuing to test hardware that would eliminate the Dynamic Island – the visible cutout – from the front of the device, with Face ID components moving under the screen and an under-camera display said to be in development. Whether the technology will be ready in time for a fall 2027 launch remains uncertain.
• Custom Apple image sensor: Apple is said to be developing its own stacked image sensor to replace the Sony sensors it has traditionally used for the iPhone. Apple has reportedly already developed a working prototype. The sensor is said to use LOFIC technology, which would let each pixel store varying amounts of light and potentially reach up to 20 stops of dynamic range.
• Solid-state buttons: Apple is said to be testing haptic replacements for the Side, Volume, Action, and Camera Control buttons. The buttons could be integrated directly into the device's frame, with no actual physical movement when pressed, yet retaining a tactile responsiveness.
• A 2-nanometer A21 chip: The 20th anniversary models are expected to feature a second-generation 2-nanometer chip. With the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models widely expected to debut the A20 Pro chip, the anniversary models would likely be powered by the A21 Pro.
• Silicon anode battery: Apple is reportedly exploring a new battery technology that uses a silicon anode capable of storing more lithium ions per gram, potentially delivering longer battery life without increasing the physical size of the battery.
• Mobile high bandwidth memory: Apple is rumored to be evaluating vertically stacked DRAM technology to improve memory bandwidth and boost on-device AI performance.
• Two sizes: The two anniversary models could have a larger display size compared to this September's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, which are expected to use 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays similar to iPhone 17 Pro models. In contrast, Apple is rumored to be prototyping a 6.4-inch display for the iPhone 20 Pro, and a 7-inch display for the larger 20 Pro Max.
  

With all that said, we're still 12 months out, and Apple's plans shift constantly behind closed doors, plus features this ambitious have a habit of slipping a year or two. Under-display Face ID in particular has been "two years away" for about five years now.

Still, the combined leaks describe the most dramatic iPhone rethink since 2017 when the 10th-anniversary iPhone X debuted. If even half of the features make it to the shipped device, the iPhone 20 should be worth holding out for. For everything we know so far, check out our dedicated guide.

Article Link: iPhone 18 Pro: Nine Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

 

[BorisDG]

М16 already have COE. Even few M14 had it. 😉

 

[NotAdvisable]

I'm getting a shiny new phone sir no matter what.

 

[startergo]

The log confirms a new main sensor, a Sony IMX905, replacing the sensor used in the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Obviously the camera will be Sony. What else is wrong in this report leading to the wrong conclusion "do not buy"? Click'n'bait?

 

[daemondust]

"Don't buy an iPhone this year, because one is coming out next year too" is a take.

 

[gnyce]

"Don't buy an iPhone this year, because one is coming out next year too" is a take.

meanwhile there are people buying iphone 17's right now, days before the 18 is released.

 

[abatabia]

I’m waiting for the air 2 myself.

 

[Yuuuki]

Or just upgrade again from 18 Pro to 20 Pro. Im sure I’m not the only one doing this stupid thing. And yes I’m fully aware how unnecessary that is. Still happy for the person who can get my old phone in an almost new condition for a good price a year later. So at least I’m doing someone a favor by being a mindless idiot 😂

 

[svish]

For 17 Pro/Pro Max users, there is no reason to upgrade this year to 18 Pro/Pro Max. Expecting higher pricing for the new iPhones this year and minimal changes. The next year 20th anniversary iPhone could be special. Not sure whether all the rumored changes will happen but still expecting something to be special/different. I am planning on waiting it out till the 20th anniversary iPhone. Interested in the foldable but without a zoom lens and FaceID (FaceID is something that I can make do without), I don't plan on getting it.

Also love my 17 Pro Max in beautiful orange. Colors this year, as per rumors don't seem to be great. The orange iPhone Pro has been the most vibrant Pro iPhone ever. Wish Apple has such a saturated color option every year.

Looking forward to all the rumors for the 20th anniversary iPhone.

 

[bbzzz]

"A quad-curved, all-glass design:" is a reason not to wait until next year, more glass to try and protect so more chance the dents on the edges become breakages. It'll be going in a case to protect it so it won't be seen

 

[Harddrive]

Will be waiting on an actual review of the 18 Pro before saying buy or not.

 

[cjsuk]

And there I was thinking it would be a bad economic decision to spend money on another iPhone at the moment...

 

[GrumpyOldGuy52]

#10: Your current phone works just fine. You don’t need to participate in this yearly ritual of the endless upgrade cycle.

 

[Big_D]

Having used dual/quad curve glassed phones in the past, they were a nightmare. I hope Apple sorts out the problem of actually holding the phone causing random/phantom presses on the glass, stopping "proper" presses being recognised.

My 16 Pro is broken, so I'm looking at getting either a 17 Pro or an 18 Pro, when the new phones are released, with a minimal chance that the folding iPhone wins me over. I've used folding phones and the fold is the biggest problem, I instantly saw it on every phone and couldn't unsee it. That said the current Samsung Fold 8 in the "similar" passport form to the rumoured iPhone Ultra/Fold was a much better and more usable format than the previous generations, so, if the crease being invisible is really true, and the price isn't too silly (2,000€ is silly enough!), I might give it a look.

#10: Your current phone works just fine. You don’t need to participate in this yearly ritual of the endless upgrade cycle.

Unless it doesn't. I was replacing the protective glass on mine and had an emergency call, before I got it on straight and I had to rush out without putting it back in its case... Getting out of the car, it slipped out of my hand and hit the ground, bounced off 2 corners and landed face down. The protective glass was shattered, but the screen was fine, but the back is a spider's web of cracks - all under the surface(!), apart from the corners, where there is a small nick missing. It still works, but I ride my bike in the rain, so I either need to replace the back (and the battery, it is already getting to the 90% mark, so if I repair it, replacing the battery at the same time makes sense) and live with the scuffed frame, or replace it...

 

[k1121j]

Quad curve screen sounds like the perfect reason to buy one now

 

[Taipan]

Some of these I would take as a reason to buy this year. All-glass curved design, non-button buttons, even bigger form factor…

 

[TDOB]

I think this story is republished every Sept.

 

[BorisDG]

For 17 Pro/Pro Max users, there is no reason to upgrade this year to 18 Pro/Pro Max. Expecting higher pricing for the new iPhones this year and minimal changes. The next year 20th anniversary iPhone could be special. Not sure whether all the rumored changes will happen but still expecting something to be special/different. I am planning on waiting it out till the 20th anniversary iPhone. Interested in the foldable but without a zoom lens and FaceID (FaceID is something that I can make do without), I don't plan on getting it.

Also love my 17 Pro Max in beautiful orange. Colors this year, as per rumors don't seem to be great. The orange iPhone Pro has been the most vibrant Pro iPhone ever. Wish Apple has such a saturated color option every year.

Looking forward to all the rumors for the 20th anniversary iPhone.

Not big design-wise, but big inside-wise, which is more important at least for me. (as a hardware nerd)

 

[tyranne201]

Just buy if you need. no reason to wait.

 

[Kaiserschmarrn]

One reason to upgrade is that there's 0 chance that the rumoured 20th anniversary phone is going to be the same price as the 18 Pro or Pro Max.

 

[IIGS User]

Or just upgrade again from 18 Pro to 20 Pro. Im sure I’m not the only one doing this stupid thing. And yes I’m fully aware how unnecessary that is. Still happy for the person who can get my old phone in an almost new condition for a good price a year later. So at least I’m doing someone a favor by being a mindless idiot 😂

I’m upgrading from my 16PM to the 18PM either way. My carrier basically makes it a friction free transaction where I trade the old one in and my bill stays the same. Good enough for me.

If the next phone is oh so awesome and I have to put some money into upgrading early, I’ll do that too. No shame in my game.

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

Biggest reason is price my 16 PM will soldier on for another year

 

[DerangedVirus]

Where's number 10 the price increase

 

[JTMG]

This rumor is just not true. This phone will not come out, guaranteed…

 

[dankron]

to be honest the reason for me not to buy a phone this year it will be the lack of a black phone, if there is no pro model in black I'll be keeping my 16 pro for another year.