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iPhone 18 Pro expected upgrades: under-screen Face ID and 9 others coming in 2026

Bigger battery, smarter modem, and fresh camera tech could make a big difference.

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By Tsveta Ermenkova

Published: Dec 17, 2025, 8:51 AM

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A photo of a person holding the iPhone 17 Pro.

iPhone 17 Pro. | Image credit – PhoneArena

Next fall, Apple is expected to roll out the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, and for the first time ever, a foldable iPhone could join the lineup. The next series is still months away, but if you are already daydreaming about upgrading, diving into early rumors never feels too early.

We’ve gathered everything that’s currently floating around about the next-gen iPhone Pro models – every rumor, whisper, and supply chain tip – so you can get a clear picture of what might be coming.

iPhone 18 Pro might finally have under-screen Face ID

This rumor has been circulating for a while, but a new credible leak adds more weight to it: the iPhone 18 Pro models could feature Face ID hidden beneath the display. If true, this would mean the end of the Dynamic Island on Apple’s Pro lineup, a feature that has been standard since the iPhone 14 Pro.

There will still be a camera cutout, but the selfie camera is expected to move to the top-left corner in a smaller punch-hole design. This would mark the most significant front-facing design change since Apple introduced the iPhone X in 2017. It’s a move that could make the display feel more immersive.

A smartphone displayed on a colorful background.

The iPhone 18 Pro front might look something like that, if the Dynamic Island indeed disappears. | AI-generated image with Gemini

Camera upgrades: variable aperture joins the mix

On the back, Apple seems ready to make some serious camera improvements. Sources from Apple’s supply chain suggest the iPhone 18 Pro will get a 48 MP Fusion main camera with a variable aperture – a first for any iPhone.

For those unfamiliar, a variable aperture lens can physically adjust how much light it lets in, depending on the scene. That means brighter photos in low light and a shallower depth of field in brighter conditions, all without manually tweaking settings. For photography enthusiasts, this could be a game-changer.

Camera Control button may be reworked

The Camera Control button is also rumored to be getting a redesign. Apple might remove its touch sensitivity and haptic feedback, leaving only pressure-based input.

This change could fix a common frustration: accidental swipes on the Camera Control. With this tweak, users could interact with the camera button more intentionally, without losing the core functionality of the feature.

Bigger battery for the Pro Max

Battery life could see a noticeable improvement, especially on the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Early reports indicate it will come with a larger battery than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Apple hasn’t revealed exact capacity figures yet, but even a modest bump in battery size would translate into longer screen-on time and better endurance for power users.

Display upgrades: smoother and more power-efficient

Both the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max may get new LTPO+ displays, an upgraded version of Apple’s current LTPO screens. These panels are expected to support higher refresh rates while using less power, offering a smoother user experience with faster animations, fluid scrolling, and improved battery efficiency.

Pro Max could become Apple’s heaviest phone

With the addition of a larger battery, the iPhone 18 Pro Max might become Apple’s heaviest smartphone to date. Leaks suggest it could weigh more than 240 grams, surpassing the iPhone 13 and 14 Pro Max, both of which weighed exactly 240 grams.

This extra weight would come from the bigger battery, but it also signals Apple is prioritizing longevity and power over extreme thinness with its Pro models.

Storage upgrades for power users

The iPhone 18 Pro lineup is expected to offer storage options starting at 256 GB and going all the way up to a massive 2 TB. That’s huge for anyone who shoots tons of photos, films in 4K or 8K, works with ProRes RAW files, or uses multiple high-performance apps simultaneously. And with AI features eating up more storage, this expansion could be a lifesaver for heavy users.

Apple’s own modem could replace Qualcomm

Apple might make a major internal shift with the iPhone 18 lineup: the introduction of its in-house C2 modem. This would replace Qualcomm’s hardware entirely and follow up on the C1 modem used in the iPhone 16e.

The C2 modem is expected to improve mmWave performance, offer better carrier aggregation, and enhance efficiency. That should translate into faster 5G speeds with less battery drain, even during heavy data use, which would be a significant step forward for Apple’s 5G capabilities.

Cleaner, more uniform back design

Apple is reportedly tweaking the iPhone’s back design for a more cohesive look. On the iPhone 17 Pro models, the rear glass used for wireless charging doesn’t perfectly match the aluminum frame, resulting in a slight color mismatch. The iPhone 18 Pro could address this by lining up the glass and metal for a seamless finish.

Earlier rumors suggested Apple might go with a partly transparent back, but it now appears the goal is simply a cleaner, more polished aesthetic, rather than see-through panels.

First 2nm chip could debut

Apple always pairs new hardware with a new processor, and the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to introduce the A20 Pro, built on TSMC’s next-generation 2nm (N2) process. The current iPhone 17 lineup uses the A19 on 3nm technology, so this shrink could bring tangible improvements.

Early reports suggest the A20 Pro could deliver around 15% higher raw performance while cutting power usage by roughly 30%. Smaller transistors usually mean less heat generation and longer battery life, so the iPhone 18 Pro may end up both faster and more energy-efficient than its predecessor.

Judging by the leaks and insider chatter so far, the iPhone 18 Pro is shaping up to be a serious step forward. Apple seems to be taking some bold steps – rethinking performance, battery life, connectivity, and camera capabilities in a way that could make this flagship one of the most impressive releases of 2026.

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Tsveta, a passionate technology enthusiast and accomplished playwright, combines her love for mobile technologies and writing to explore and reveal the transformative power of tech. From being an early follower of PhoneArena to relying exclusively on her smartphone for photography, she embraces the immense capabilities of compact devices in our daily lives. With a Journalism degree and an explorative spirit, Tsveta not only provides expert insights into the world of gadgets and smartphones but also shares a unique perspective shaped by her diverse interests in travel, culture, and visual storytelling.

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