Previous rumours have suggested the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max will boast a smaller Dynamic Island, a DSLR-like camera and an updated design, with Apple rethinking its launch strategy for 2026. With the company dedicating this year\u2019s event to the iPhone 18 Pro and the long-rumoured iPhone Ultra<\/a>, here\u2019s everything we know so far about the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. <\/p>\n Read more: Best refurbished iPhone deals <\/a><\/p>\n Latest iPhone 18 Pro news and rumours<\/p>\n Earlier this week, new regulatory certification filings from China were discovered<\/a> by Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station purporting to show the battery capacity for both the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.<\/p>\n According to the filings in China’s C3 database, the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a 4,056mAh battery in China, while the US eSIM-only handset will get a 4,288mAh battery. That\u2019s slightly up on the 3,988mAh and 4,252mAh battery capacity for the iPhone 17 Pro. The \u200ciPhone 18 Pro\u200c Max will reportedly getting a much bigger battery life boost, however. <\/p>\n The filing says the iPhone 18 Pro Max will boast a 5,391mAh battery in China, with the eSIM-only model in the US getting a 5,567mAh battery. That\u2019s a huge jump on the iPhone 17 Pro Max\u2019s 4,823mAh battery in China and the 5,088mAh battery in the US. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a 5,000mAh battery. <\/p>\n Apple iPhone 18 Pro release date<\/p>\n The release timeline for the iPhone 18 and subsequent iPhones could look a lot different going forward. In late 2025, the ever-reliable Apple insider Mark Gurman claimed<\/a> that the company will be moving away from its annual autumnal launch extravaganza. Instead, Gurman claimed it will be spreading its iPhone launches throughout the year.<\/p>\n According to Gurman, the reason for the shift is that Apple\u2019s decision to cram everything into September has become burdensome. It gives the company fewer opportunities to spread out revenue across the year, while also straining its marketing and engineering teams and overloading suppliers.<\/p>\n So Apple\u2019s predicted to shake up its launch window entirely. Gurman says we won\u2019t be seeing the regular iPhone 18 unveiled in September this year. Instead, Apple will only launch the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, as well as its first foldable phone.<\/p>\n The tech giant is then predicted to launch the regular iPhone 18 in the spring of 2027, alongside the iPhone 18e. There\u2019s precedent for this \u2013 we\u2019ve just seen Apple launch the iPhone 17e<\/a> in March, for example. Gurman says the brand could also launch a follow-up to the iPhone Air<\/a>.<\/p>\n As for the actual release date of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, that\u2019s still fairly easy to predict, given that the date of Apple\u2019s September spectacle isn\u2019t expected to change.<\/p>\n Apple almost always announces its new line of smartphones in the second week of September. To give you an idea, the iPhone 17<\/a> was announced on Tuesday 9 September 2025, the iPhone 16<\/a> was announced on Monday 9 September 2024, the iPhone 15<\/a> on Tuesday 5 September 2023, the iPhone 14 on Wednesday 7 September 2022 and the iPhone 13 on Tuesday 14 September 2021.<\/p>\n Labor Day in the US is on Monday 7 September this year, so Apple is unlikely to unveil its latest launches then. I\u2019m expecting Apple to show off the iPhone 18 Pro on either Tuesday 8 September or Wednesday 9 September \u2013 most likely the latter, with pre-orders going live on Friday 11 September. Bloomberg\u2019s Mark Gurman reported<\/a> in late June that he also believed the iPhone 18 Pro would be unveiled on one of those dates. <\/p>\n The iPhone 18 Pro could then be released on Friday 18 September.<\/p>\n Apple iPhone 18 Pro price<\/p>\n While I always take price increases with a grain of salt, when it comes from Tim Cook himself, it\u2019s no longer just a rumour. <\/p>\n On 17 June, in an interview<\/a> with The Wall Street Journal, Cook warned that a price hike would be unavoidable. \u201cWe’re doing our best to mitigate the huge increases that are being passed to us, and we’ve been trying to shield our customers from the increases, but the situation has become unsustainable,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n A week later, Apple raised prices of the iPad, MacBook, HomePod and Apple TV in the UK. Apple\u2019s entire range of iPads increased by up to \u00a3200, the MacBook by up to \u00a3300, the HomePod by up to \u00a350 and the Apple TV 4K by up to \u00a3100. It\u2019s not a good sign for the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, which are both expected to house even more RAM to power Apple Intelligence <\/p>\n Samsung notably increased the price of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra<\/a> earlier this year by \u00a330. Apple\u2019s price hike could be even steeper. Analytics firm IDC expects Apple to increase the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max by $100 in the US. Given devices in the UK received the same nominal increase as the US last week, that would translate to a \u00a3100 price hike. <\/p>\n The iPhone 17 Pro cost \u00a31,099 at launch, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max launched for \u00a31,199.<\/p>\n This contrasts with what analysts have been saying all year, however, with analysts previously suggesting Apple will absorb any extra costs. Jeff Pu of GF Securities previously stated that the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will cost the same as the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. In a February 2026 research note<\/a> obtained by MacRumours, Pu said Apple was looking at keeping the prices the same or similar by focusing on \u201ccost management\u201d.<\/p>\n In the research note, Pu said Apple had been negotiating with Samsung and SK Hynix to achieve relatively \u201cfavourable\u201d memory chip deals, and was looking to lower the costs of other parts, such as the camera and display.<\/p>\n The pricing prediction was first raised by the ever-reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who said in January that Apple was looking to keep the price of the iPhone 18 Pro the same as the previous generation.<\/p>\n On 12 May, MacRumors published a report<\/a> claiming that Pu expected Apple to outperform in the smartphone market with an \u201caggressive pricing strategy\u201d for the iPhone 18 Pro. Pu previously predicted that the starting prices of the iPhone 18 Pro models would either remain unchanged from the iPhone 17 Pro lineup or only increase slightly. We\u2019ll just have to wait and see if a price rise comes to fruition. <\/p>\n Apple iPhone 18 design and display<\/p>\n While the iPhone 17 Pro looked dramatically different to the iPhone 16 Pro, leakers right now are predicting the iPhone 18 Pro will look fairly similar to the iPhone 17 Pro. The biggest design change is that the Dynamic Island will be shrunk slightly, so that it doesn\u2019t take up as much screen real estate.<\/p>\n In January this year, leaker Ice Universe claimed the Dynamic Island will be 35 per cent narrower than the current version, with a width of around 13.5mm, down from 20.7mm. The leaker shared a mock-up of what that could look like. Ice Universe\u2019s track record has been fairly good for Samsung leaks, but a bit mixed when it comes to Apple.<\/p>\n Earlier rumours suggested Apple was testing a smaller hole-punch cutout instead of a Dynamic Island, with Face ID moving under the screen. This would give the iPhone a screen without interruptions for the first time. However, in January 2026, Weibo leaker Instant Digital stated this had been a mistranslation<\/a>, and that there would be no hole-punch cutout instead of a Dynamic Island or under-the-screen Face ID.<\/p>\n Instead, the Face ID flood illuminator is the only component that will be moved under the screen, because it\u2019s relatively small. Display industry analyst Ross Young claims Apple will keep this smaller Dynamic Island until at least 2027.<\/p>\n Several leakers have since backed up Ice Universe\u2019s claim. In late March, X account Early Apple shared a supposed prototype image of the iPhone 18 Pro with a shrunken Dynamic Island. The camera flash also appears to illuminate a faint circular area on the display, hinting at the Face ID flood illuminator being hidden under the screen.<\/p>\n Ice Universe also claimed in late March that the bezels on the iPhone 18 series will remain the same as the iPhone 17 and iPhone 16, while reiterating that the Dynamic Island will be smaller.<\/p>\n Another interesting rumour<\/a> from Instant Digital is that the iPhone 18 Pro Max could be slightly thicker than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and could weigh roughly 243g. If true, it would make it the heaviest iPhone Apple\u2019s ever produced. That\u2019s 10g heavier than the iPhone 17 Pro Max and 3g heavier than the iPhone 14 Pro Max (the current heavyweight record holder).<\/p>\n Other than that, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could look similar to the previous models, boasting 6.3in and 6.9in displays as well as a triple-lens system with the plateau design introduced on the iPhone 17 Pro.<\/p>\n On 22 April, tech YouTuber Vadim Yuryev shared images of dummy units of the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max. And if accurate, it doesn\u2019t look like it\u2019s going to be very different to the iPhone 17 Pro Max. But look a little harder, and you\u2019ll notice that the cameras are a lot thicker, with Yuryev stating the black glass on the cameras protrudes a lot more too. <\/p>\n Why is this? According to long-held rumours, the camera is going to get a massive upgrade in September, with Apple implementing variable aperture for the first time and improved sensors.<\/p>\n The first iPhone 18 Pro dummy unit surfaced in late May and early June, giving us a better look at the dark cherry iPhone colourway. While these are just dummy units, they line up with the predicted colour scheme, and come courtesy of TechDroider Clips on YouTube and a Weibo leaker<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n In early May, South Korean publication The Elec reported<\/a> that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could boast advanced LTPO+ OLED panels supplied by Samsung Display and LG Display. The upgraded screens are said to be more power efficient, which could help boost battery life, while also being less susceptible to burn-in.<\/p>\n On 29 June, Reuters revealed<\/a> that more than 200,000 files stolen from Apple’s manufacturing partner Tata Electronics had been leaked on the dark web. The leaked archive included supplier lists, engineering documents, component specifications and photos and videos showing the unreleased iPhone 18 Pro undergoing drop testing. It could be the biggest Apple supply chain breach to date.<\/p>\n Cybersecurity researchers say the stolen data began appearing on the dark web on 10 June, but Tata Electronics hadn\u2019t reported the data breach until 22 June. In the leaked videos and images, a drop test of a smartphone with a three-camera layout and Apple logo can be seen. Last week, AppleInsider reported<\/a> that board layouts for the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max were also contained in the data breach, as well as a data sheet for the upcoming A18 Pro chip. <\/p>\n Apple iPhone 18 Pro colours<\/p>\n One interesting decision Apple made for the iPhone 17 Pro was to give the handsets a two-tone design. Controversially, the glass back for MagSafe charging is a different colour to the aluminium frame, making it look less uniform. Apple is reportedly looking to reduce this contrast for the iPhone 18 Pro.<\/p>\n In November 2025, Instant Digital reported<\/a> that Apple had changed the phone\u2019s back glass process to help minimise the two-tone look seen on the iPhone 17 Pro, giving the phones a more unified look.<\/p>\n In late February, Bloomberg\u2019s Mark Gurman also claimed<\/a> that Apple was testing a deep red colour for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Fold. On 11 April, Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station claimed<\/a> the same, based on the fact the insider has seen prototypes of Android phones in the same deep red colour. <\/p>\n On 1 May, Macworld claimed<\/a> a source familiar with Apple\u2019s supply chain had information regarding the colourways for the upcoming smartphones. According to the publication, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will come in a dark cherry colourway, which it says will be \u201cmuch closer to wine than fruit punch\u201d. It says that Apple has also been experimenting with a light blue colourway, similar to the iPhone 17\u2019s mist blue, as well as a dark grey. There will also reportedly be a silver colourway to complete the line-up. <\/p>\n Apple iPhone 18 Pro cameras<\/p>\n Of all the features to receive the biggest shake-up, it\u2019s almost always the camera system<\/p>\n In December 2024, Ming-Chi Kuo claimed<\/a> the main rear camera on the iPhone 18 Pro will feature variable aperture for the first time, making it act more like a DSLR camera. Variable aperture would enable iPhone users to control how much light comes through the lens. Kuo claimed Dutch manufacturer BE Semiconductor would supply the assembly equipment used to produce the aperture blades.<\/p>\n Several reputable leakers have since corroborated this leak in recent months, with ETNews the latest<\/a> to do so, in October 2025. The iPhones have had fixed apertures for years, so this could be a significant upgrade.<\/p>\n Apple is also reportedly testing a new telephoto camera for the iPhone 18 Pro. Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station claimed<\/a> in October last year that the telephoto lens will also feature a larger aperture, being upgraded from the iPhone 17 Pro\u2019s f\/2.8 telephoto lens.<\/p>\n Another (fairly old) leak, from January 2025, comes from Taiwanese publication DigiTimes. The publication claimed<\/a> that Samsung has developed a new three-layer stacked camera sensor system specifically for the iPhone 18. According to DigiTimes, this would make the iPhone 18\u2019s cameras more responsive and reduce noise.<\/p>\n Apple iPhone 18 Pro specs<\/p>\n Spec details for the iPhone 18 Pro are still fairly thin on the ground, but several leaks suggest Apple\u2019s next-generation A20 chip will power the devices. <\/p>\n According to Jeff Pu, the A20 chip is expected<\/a> to use TSMC\u2019s new 2nm manufacturing process, which could make it up to 15 per cent faster and 30 per cent more efficient than the current A19 chip. <\/p>\n An August 2025 report from Ming-Chi Kuo also suggests<\/a> the A20 could use a new chip packaging method that integrates RAM directly with the processor, potentially improving performance for Apple Intelligence features, while freeing up space inside the phone.<\/p>\n Bloomberg\u2019s Mark Gurman also claims<\/a> iPhone 18 Pro models will feature Apple\u2019s next-generation C2 modem. The chip is expected to improve 5G performance and could add support for mmWave connectivity, bringing it closer to the Qualcomm modems Apple currently uses. Weibo leaker Fixed Digital also suggested, in February 2026, that it could support new satellite connectivity standards, potentially allowing for full internet access over satellite networks when traditional coverage isn\u2019t available.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/iphone-18-deep-red.png\")
(Digital Chat Station)<\/p>\n
![\"Apple](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/iphone-17-pro-orange.png\")
Apple claims the iPhone 17 Pro Max can last up to 39 hours on a single charge (Apple)<\/p>\n![\"If](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/iOS-26-IndyBest.jpg\")
If you\u2019ve bought a new iPhone in the last five years, you\u2019re in luck (The Independent)<\/p>\n