iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max leaks: Design, camera, battery, price, launch timeline and more

By Admin

29 Jan, 2026

Apple may still be nearly two years away from launching its next-generation flagship smartphones, but early leaks around the iPhone 18 Pro series are already generating serious buzz. If current information is accurate, the 2026 Pro models could mark a noticeable shift in design philosophy, camera hardware, and internal efficiency. Here’s a detailed look at what’s being reported so far.

Design changes: A cleaner front takes shape

One of the most talked-about upgrades is the front design. According to leaks, Apple may finally reduce the long-standing pill-shaped cutout. Reports suggest Face ID components could move under the display, leaving only a single hole for the selfie camera. Interestingly, this front camera may be positioned near the top-left corner instead of the centre, giving the phone a distinctly different look from current iPhones.

Dynamic Island is not expected to disappear entirely. Instead, Apple is likely to keep it in a smaller, less intrusive form, positioned closer to the front camera. This would allow users to continue enjoying live activities and animations without the island dominating the display.

On the back, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to retain the familiar triple-camera layout. Minor refinements could include new glass textures, a cleaner transition between the glass and aluminium frame, and fresh colour options. Darker tones such as deep purple, burgundy, and coffee-brown are reportedly being tested for the Pro lineup.

Camera upgrades: Hardware finally steps up

Camera improvements could be one of the biggest highlights. Leaks indicate Apple is experimenting with a variable aperture system for the main camera. Unlike the fixed apertures used today, a mechanical aperture would allow the lens to physically adjust light intake, leading to more natural background blur and better low-light performance. This feature, however, may be exclusive to the Pro Max model.

Another major upgrade could come from a new three-layer stacked image sensor, reportedly sourced from Samsung. This sensor is expected to deliver faster readout speeds, lower noise, and improved dynamic range. Larger apertures on both the main and telephoto lenses should further enhance night photography and video recording across the Pro models.

Performance: A20 Pro chipset

Under the hood, Apple is expected to introduce the A20 Pro chipset. Built on TSMC’s upcoming 2nm process, the chip is said to use an advanced packaging method where RAM sits directly on the same wafer as the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine. This tighter integration could result in around 15 percent faster performance and up to 30 percent better power efficiency, while also improving heat management and Apple Intelligence capabilities.

Battery and connectivity improvements

The new internal layout may free up space inside the phone, which Apple could use for a larger battery or improved cooling. Battery upgrades are already being tipped, especially for the Pro Max. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is said to be slightly thicker to accommodate a battery of around 5,100mAh. While this could push the weight beyond 240 grams, users may benefit from significantly longer battery life.

On the connectivity side, the Pro Max model may debut Apple’s next-generation C2 modem. This could reintroduce mmWave 5G support to Apple’s in-house modem lineup, improving speeds and reliability in regions where mmWave networks are available.

Display expectations

Display sizes are expected to remain unchanged. The iPhone 18 Pro may feature a 6.3-inch display, while the Pro Max could stick with a 6.9-inch panel. There is still debate over whether Dynamic Island will be completely removed or simply reduced, but most sources agree the overall front design will look cleaner and more modern than current models.

Launch timeline and pricing

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September 2026, following its traditional launch schedule. Pricing remains uncertain. With the iPhone 17 Pro already starting at Rs 1,34,900 in India and the Pro Max at Rs 1,49,900, Apple may try to avoid a significant price hike. That said, rising component and memory costs could still influence final pricing, which Apple is unlikely to confirm until closer to launch.

If these early leaks hold true, the iPhone 18 Pro series could represent one of the most meaningful Pro upgrades in years making it a tempting option for users considering whether to upgrade soon or wait for Apple’s 2026 flagship.