Not buying iPhone 17? Here’s what the iPhone 18 Pro could bring
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to launch in 2026 with major upgrades. Rumors suggest under-screen Face ID, a smaller Dynamic Island, and a variable aperture camera.
Skipping the iPhone 17 Pro? The next generation of iPhone, the 18 Pro, is already in the eyes of Apple fans, and this will be introduced in 2026. Although it is not yet one year away, there are some reports that one of the major upgrades could redefine the Pro series. These leaks are indications of design modifications, enhanced camera functions and advanced chips that can make the wait worth their salt.
In case you are awaiting an upgrade this year, then the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max may have features that users have been seeking. From the under-screen Face ID to the next-gen performance, the next models are taking shape to be the most ambitious smartphones by Apple to date.
Under-screen Face ID and smaller dynamic island
The Face ID under display had been previously foreshadowed by industry analyst Ross Young as coming with the iPhone 17 Pro. He, however, amended this date later, indicating that the feature will be released sometime in 2026. That makes the iPhone 18 Pro line up in a position to present the awaited technology. Face ID sensors located beneath the screen may therefore be reduced in size into the Dynamic Island, which provides a larger amount of display area.
Camera with variable aperture
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the iPhone 18 Pro may have a variable aperture in its 48 MP Fusion camera. This upgrade would enable the user to open the lens aperture manually as opposed to the fixed aperture of 1.78 that was present on previous Pro models. The feature might give it greater control over depth of field and lighting, but the advantage might be constrained by the comparatively small size of the sensor on the iPhone.
A20 Pro chip
Performance-wise, the iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to be powered by the Apple A20 Pro chip based on the latest 2nm process by TSMC. This is supposed to be translated to better speeds and efficiency. Apple may likely integrate its new C2 modem, which will be faster and more power-efficient for cellular communication. Combined, these upgrades would provide a large performance jump over the iPhone 17 Pro.