Hasn’t under-screen Face ID been a rumor for the last 3 iPhones?
Apple Air 18 mini!
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.
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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
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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
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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
That may be but the Air really needs to go case-less to appreciate its qualities. Ultimately, it will also need the silicon battery if it's to have decent battery life. At the moment you are also paying more for less camera and audio capability. If the Air is developed then maybe in 2-3 years time it will be a viable consideration.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.
The iPhone 22 is going to be an implant based on TSMC's latest .7nm chips with inner ocular projectors built solely by Samsung. Rumored to have several flesh tones available at launch. Pre orders will start at 5am on September 13th 2030Boring, any rumours about iPhone 19?😂
It does seem like Apple 🍎 is pushing people toward the iPhone Air. They took away the Space Black color they usually have on the Pro’s and kept the color on the Air.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.
Aperture does not affect dynamic range.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.
Can we just not worry about it?Can we please curb the communal enthusiasm and just expect the 18 to have all the rumours that didn‘t come true for the 17?
No, not on a traditional camera. But the iPhone automatically brackets multiple exposures to increase dynamic range, merging them with its "deep fusion" algorithms.Aperture does not affect dynamic range.
Do you know otherwise?
Sensors. Yes.
File type. Yes.
If I use my 85mm 1.8 vs my…I don’t know…200mm 4.0, I don’t gain in dynamic range by using my 85 at 1.8.
If I use my 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 I don’t get more dynamic range if is shoot at 18mm 3.5 than if I shoot at 55 5.6mm.
I have the same phone. What is so compelling for you that you want to upgrade? Interested to know your use case to see if it intersects mine.Currently on the 15 Pro Max. Definitely thinking about getting the 17 Pro Max.
yes, the rumor that needs to die, its not going to happen anytime soon, but people copy paste rumors like 'bendable, foldable'...Hasn’t under-screen Face ID been a rumor for the last 3 iPhones?
I would be happy if Apple worked at developing a WYSIWYG mode where the camera mimics the human eye. It’s always frustrating that the camera can’t record what I see.No, not on a traditional camera. But the iPhone automatically brackets multiple exposures to increase dynamic range, merging them with its "deep fusion" algorithms.
This is why I'm saying controlling aperture (to be able to capture otherwise blown-out highlights that can then be merged into the fusion image) may be to help with dynamic range.
1973 carpet/couch green is being considered.Will the Pro devices still come in fugly colors straight out of a 1970’s porn flick? If so, with no black or space grey option, then I’ll pass those too.
I can’t they’d release a “Pro” device with no black and fugly vomit orange and fugly deep blue as color choices.
If it were at least Midnight Blue that almost looks black I could deal with it.