Skipping the iPhone 17 Pro? Here's What's Rumored for iPhone 18 Pro

[MacRumors]

While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are still a year away, there are already a few rumors about the devices that offer an early look ahead.

If you are skipping the iPhone 17 Pro and want to know about what to expect from the iPhone 18 Pro models, we have recapped a few of the key rumors below.

Under-Screen Face ID

In April 2023, display industry analyst Ross Young shared a roadmap showing that iPhone 17 Pro models would feature under-display Face ID. In May 2024, however, Young said he heard this change had been delayed until 2026. If so, that means that under-screen Face ID could debut on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max next year.

As a result of the under-screen Face ID, Young believes that the iPhone 18 Pro models will have a smaller Dynamic Island.

In May 2025, The Information also reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would likely be equipped with under-screen Face ID.

Variable Aperture

The main 48-megapixel Fusion camera on both iPhone 18 Pro models will offer variable aperture, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

With variable aperture, users would be able to control the amount of light that passes through the camera's lens and reaches the sensor. The main cameras on all of the iPhone 14 Pro through iPhone 17 Pro models have a fixed aperture of ƒ/1.78, and the lens is always fully open and shooting with this widest aperture. With the iPhone 18 Pro models, users would be able to manually change the aperture, according to this rumor.

A variable aperture on iPhone 18 Pro models should provide users with greater control over depth of field, which refers to how sharp a subject appears in the foreground compared to the background. However, given that iPhones have smaller image sensors due to size constraints, it is unclear exactly how meaningful this improvement would be.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman incorrectly reported that the iPhone 17 Pro models would feature a "variable aperture system," a few days before Apple's event.

2nm A20 Pro Chip and Apple's C2 Modem

iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to have an A20 Pro chip fabricated with TSMC's latest 2nm process, which could deliver significant performance improvements, and Apple's power-efficient C2 modem for cellular connectivity.

Article Link: Skipping the iPhone 17 Pro? Here's What's Rumored for iPhone 18 Pro

 

[MacUserFella]

There‘s always that one person with an iPhone 6 who skips every iPhone talking about how the iPhone peaked in 2014

 

[Imperial926]

Anything that's not orange actually!

 

[jeremz1ne]

and we are off on the rumors for 18 lol

 

[kobberrød]

More interested in rumours about what's going to happen with the base iPhone 18, especially if it gets released only in 1,5 year.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

There‘s always that one person with an iPhone 6 who skips every iPhone talking about how the iPhone peaked in 2014

Then there's the mini fans that won't shut up about phones being to big. Wait, that's me!

 

[BigPete7978]

Currently on the 15 Pro Max. Definitely thinking about getting the 17 Pro Max.

 

[MayaUser]

Since they couldnt reduce the dynamic island as rumored, i bet next year under the screen will a no go

 

[maruyama]

Given the tiny sensors, I doubt variable aperture is about controlling depth of field.

My guess is that it would be used as an additional variable alongside exposure time to add more dynamic range.

 

[Orange Bat]

If any of these rumors prove to be true then it’s worth waiting if you don’t need a phone right now. I’m on a 13 Pro Max but am considering just getting a 16 or 16 Pro Max to get me by for the next year as the battery is slowly dying. (And I’m not replacing the battery)

 

[cdsapplefan]

Hopefully the 18 pro’s go back to Space Black color. The 2nm Chip and C2 cellular modem will be nice!

 

[VisceralRealist]

I may be skipping the Pro from here on out.

It seems clear the Air is the "future" of Apple's design aesthetic. The Pro is going to be more of an Apple Watch Ultra-like "rugged" device, which appeals to me less.

 

[jz0309]

While variable aperture will be nice, for me a true optical zoom (moving lenses) would be more appreciated but I guess that's not coming next year either

 

[turbineseaplane]

This is it ... this is what it's all about


iPhone 18 Mini

 

[JGIGS]

Then there's the mini fans that won't shut up about phones being to big. Wait, that's me!

You're not wrong. Nothing wrong with bigger phones but smaller options would be nice. I feel like battery life killed the mini. Maybe had they waited till they could have improved on that more, and released it later, it would have been more successful?

 

[travis64]

Next year is the foldable

 

[StuBeck]

and we are off on the rumors for 18 lol

We've had them for a while, I wonder what the iPhone 28 is going to have. Keeping the name the same as the iOS version it debuted under makes more sense right?!

 

[jecowa]

I wish they would bring TouchID back. FaceID struggles so much in the dark. With Touch ID I could unlock the phone before I pulled it out of my pocket.

 

[MallardDuck]

Got burned upgrading to the 16 pro because of AI, so nope, not planning on anything until the 19 at least. Hopefully by then they'll have better colors than pumpkin spice.

Seriously though, for what I do, there's zero reason to upgrade the phone, especially with AI being completely MIA. Next time I'll wait for the software to actually ship before I consider a hardware upgrade. Had too much faith in Apple last go around and have real regrets about it.

 

[Lwii2boo]

You forgot the ultimate breakthrough for 18 Pro. Replacing Cosmic Orange with Nebula Black

 

[lazyrighteye]

iPhone 18 Pro available in Jet Black rumor begins... Now.

 

[BGrifter]

I just hope the camera wart gets even bigger next year.

 

[Scaredfocus]

Given the tiny sensors, I doubt variable aperture is about controlling depth of field.

My guess is that it would be used as an additional variable alongside exposure time to add more dynamic range.

Or some sort of detailed deep focus image stacking

 

[tonie walker]

Keep the rumours coming so i will keep my 14PM

 

[Dulcimer]

Disappointing that they’ve used the exact same Main camera sensor for 4 generations now (since 14 Pro). Stop being lazy, Apple.

Hopefully 18 Pro changes that with this supposed new stacked sensor, but even that was recently rumored to be pushed to 2027.