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On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through all of the new features and improvements expected to come to next year's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models.


Apple's next-generation iPhones are less than ten months away and we already have a good idea about what to expect based on corroborated leaks, rumors, and reports from reliable sources.

While the overall design of the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to remain largely the same as that of the iPhone 17 Pro, it could feature translucent or color-matched rear glass, as well as a thicker design to accommodate a bigger battery. Apple is rumored to be testing at least three new color options for the iPhone 18 Pro models, including burgundy, brown, and purple, but only one of these is expected to be carried forward to production.

The front of the device is expected to see Face ID moved under the display for the first time, resulting in a smaller Dynamic Island and potentially a left-aligned punch-hole camera. The front-facing camera is also expected to see a bump up to 24-megapixels.

The main rear camera could receive a new three-stack image sensor from Samsung and it is highly likely to get a variable aperture. A variable-aperture system physically adjusts the lens opening, letting more light in for low-light shots or narrowing the opening for brighter scenes and deeper depth of field. Apple is also expected to "simplify" the Camera Control by removing its capacitive functions, moving it to rely on pressure alone.

It should also sport the A20 Pro chip, which will be Apple's first based on TSMC's 2nm process for enhanced performance and efficiency. A custom "C2" chip is expected to displace Qualcomm's 5G modem, with support for mmWave 5G in the United States. In addition, Apple apparently plans to add support for 5G networks that operate via satellites rather than Earth-based towers.

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to debut in the fall of 2026 alongside the first foldable iPhone. The iPhone 18e, iPhone 18, and iPhone Air 2 are likely to follow in the spring of 2027. The MacRumors Show has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips.



You can also listen to The MacRumors Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player.



If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up to hear our discussion about Apple's new iPhone Pocket accessory, the future of Apple Fitness+, and the iPhone Air 2's delayed launch.

Subscribe to The MacRumors Show for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests such as Kayci Lacob, Kevin Nether, John Gruber, Mark Gurman, Jon Prosser, Luke Miani, Matthew Cassinelli, Brian Tong, Quinn Nelson, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: The MacRumors Show: iPhone 18 Pro Looks Like a Huge Upgrade
 
Just updated from 16pro to 17pro Max and that update actually felt huge (literally from pro to pro max!). All the changes listed above seem just spec bumps to me (FaceID rumor aside - which would be nice but not game changing).

No idea what that camera feature will bring to photos but for amateur guys like myself, the current Camera system is already overkill.

Biggest update to me would be software - a real working AI which is deeply integrated into iOS.
Battery, CPU, Display are all as good as it gets imo - who really notices all the AI cores when your AI is blonde.
 
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great episode guys. Very interested in either the burgundy or the brown color next year. Ive seen the brown described as a coffee color on another site. Hopefully it is not the purple option. Would like see a color they have not done before + a black color added
 
The 17 phones just came out. I don't understand the point of speculating about ones that won't come out for another year?? It seems like the tech community is being extra aggressive with that this year. It's like the stores that bring out their holiday stuff too early, but this is like almost a year early??
This isn't substantially different from past years. Apple's planning of new iPhone models happens with a long lead time by necessity, overlapping with the rollout of the preceding generation, so it's common for information about that planning to leak from the supply chain (who are involved in the planning) a year or more in advance.

iPhone 17 Pro design leak in November 2024: https://www.macrumors.com/2024/11/29/the-macrumors-show-iphone-17-designs/

iPhone 16 Pro design leaks in May(!) 2023: https://www.macrumors.com/2023/05/08/iphone-16-pro-larger-display-sizes/

iPhone 15 Pro leaks in January(!) 2022: https://www.macrumors.com/2022/01/03/iphone-15-pro-periscope-lens-rumor/

iPhone 14 Pro leak in July 2021: https://www.macrumors.com/2021/07/26/iphone-14-2022-pro-models-titanium-case/
 
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I am on the edge of my seat with excitement and anticipation, and not sure how I will last until next September on my 14pro.
 
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