iPhone 18 Pro will be unveiled next week on September 9, with new Pro and Pro Max models debuting. Here’s what rumors say is new with each model.
iPhone 18 Pro: Upgrades in performance, cameras, design, and battery life
Apple’s flagship iPhone 18 Pro will have the same 6.3-inch size as last year’s model, and focus on key improvements that many users care about most: performance, cameras, design, and battery life.
Performance: A20 Pro is Apple’s new chip that will make the iPhone more powerful than ever, and hit at just the right time for Siri AI in iOS 27. It’s part of the same family of chips as the just-unveiled M6, which points to big upgrades coming.
Cameras: The iPhone’s camera system is set for a big year too. The Main camera is reportedly getting a whole new module that will make the plateau thicker than ever, and a variable aperture feature either on Pro Max or both models. Telephoto performance will improve thanks to a wider aperture for better low-light photos. And there’s reportedly a redesigned Camera Control coming.
Design: iPhone 18 Pro will look a lot like its predecessor, with some key enhancements. The Dynamic Island cutout is shrinking by about 35%, the rear of the device will have a more unified color blend between glass and aluminum, and new flagship colors are coming—including a dark cherry/burgundy.
Battery: Due to the efficiency gains of A20 Pro, and also a new C2 Apple modem, battery life on iPhone 18 Pro should be better than ever. There will also be a slightly larger battery.
iPhone 18 Pro Max: Everything above, plus more
iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature everything listed above, except in a larger 6.9-inch form factor. And it is rumored to have at least one exclusive advantage, possibly two:
- Larger battery gains than iPhone 18 Pro
- Exclusive camera feature, possibly variable aperture
Apple’s Pro Max models always pack more battery life than the smaller Pro. But rumors indicate iPhone 18 Pro Max could extend its lead in that department.
Regulatory leaks point to iPhone 18 Pro Max having about a 10% larger battery than iPhone 17 Pro Max. Combined with efficiency gains in Apple silicon, Pro Max will more than ever be the go-to model for maximum battery life.
Additionally, a new variable aperture camera feature could be exclusive to iPhone 18 Pro Max. We’ve seen conflicting reports on whether the feature will be available in both models or not. But in his latest newsletter, Mark Gurman specifically mentioned the Pro Max model as getting it.
Will you upgrade to iPhone 18 Pro, or do you plan to skip it? Let us know in the comments.
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