Apple iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max: Everything we know so far

While we are still months away from the official reveal, the rumour mill for the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max are already churning at full speed. As of early 2026, the leaks suggest that Apple is planning a significant shift in its hardware strategy, moving toward professional-grade camera mechanics and a major jump in processing architecture.

Unified design and new colour options

After the “two-tone” experimentation of the previous generation, Apple is expected to return to a more unified rear glass finish that blends seamlessly into the titanium frame.

New colour leaks for the iPhone 18 Pro series suggest a shift away from neutrals toward richer tones, including Burgundy (Deep Red), Coffee Brown, and Deep Purple.

Reworked Dynamic Island

Multiple sources indicate that the iPhone 18 Pro will feature an under-display Face ID. While the selfie camera may still reside in a small punch-hole cutout, the infrared sensors will be hidden beneath the screen.

This is likely to lead to a significantly narrower and less intrusive Dynamic Island, maximising the 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display real estate on the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max.

Apple's most powerful chip

The headline feature for the iPhone 18 Pro series is the transition to the A20 Pro chip, rumoured to be built on TSMC’s cutting-edge 2nm process. This jump from 3nm isn’t just a number; it is expected to deliver a 15 per cent boost in speed and a massive 30 per cent improvement in energy efficiency.

ALSO READ: Apple won’t allow you to downgrade your iPhone to iOS 26.2 anymore

This extra overhead will likely be used to power more advanced “Apple Intelligence” features directly on the device, reducing the need for cloud processing.

Massive battery upgrades

According to online reports, Apple is said to be testing different battery configurations for various markets. The supply chain indicates that the Chinese version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to reach a capacity of 5,000mAh.

Interestingly, the international version might go even further, with maximum sample capacities reportedly hitting between 5,100mAh and 5,200mAh.

If these figures hold, the combination of a larger physical cell and the 2nm efficiency could result in the longest-lasting iPhone in history, potentially pushing into true “two-day” battery life territory.

DSLR-style variable aperture

The iPhone 18 Pro Max is also rumoured to feature a mechanical variable aperture for its main 48MP sensor. This would allow the lens to physically adjust between f/1.4 and f/2.8, giving photographers genuine control over light intake and natural ‘bokeh’. This hardware-level control reduces the reliance on software algorithms for depth-of-field effects.

Split launch strategy

Analysts further suggest that Apple may split the iPhone 18 release cycle. The iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and the rumoured iPhone Fold are expected to headline the traditional September 2026 event.

Meanwhile, the standard iPhone 18 and the more affordable iPhone 18e might not debut until the spring of 2027, allowing Apple to focus entirely on its high-end, high-margin Pro models during the holiday rush.

ALSO READ: Apple’s next foldable phone may sport a flip-style design

Stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma for all the updates about the Apple iPhone 18 series.