Apple's iPhone 18 Pro will debut five major upgrades that address long-standing user complaints, according to leaks from multiple sources. The 2026 flagship will launch alongside Apple's first foldable iPhone, marking what could be Apple's most significant product evolution since the iPhone X, according to reports.
The iPhone 18 Pro will feature under-display Face ID technology, moving most TrueDepth camera components beneath the OLED panel. This design change leaves only a small central punch-hole for the selfie camera, creating a cleaner front display. Combined with Samsung Display's newest OLED panels, the iPhone 18 Pro could achieve Apple's vision of a seamless glass front.
Apple will reportedly add a variable aperture to the main camera, allowing mechanical control over light intake and optical depth-of-field adjustment. This addresses current limitations where portrait effects rely on AI simulation rather than true optical control. The upgrade provides greater creative control for both photography and videography.
Design refinements will unify the look and feel of back glass and metal frames, addressing color mismatches that made some iPhone 17 Pro models appear plastic-like. Apple is testing new color options including purple, wine red, and brown, with a true black or slate gray model widely anticipated.
The A20 Pro chip will use a 2nm manufacturing process instead of 3nm, offering significant transistor density improvements for better speed and lower power consumption. Apple may also debut its own C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro, replacing Qualcomm components for better efficiency and battery savings.
Camera Control 2.0 replaces the touch-sensitive surface with a pressure-sensitive button, addressing accidental press issues that plagued the original design. The new implementation could enable soft-press capture without shaking the phone, a feature photographers have long requested.
Apple will simultaneously launch its first foldable iPhone in September 2026, according to Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman. The book-style device features a 7.8-inch crease-free inner display and 5.5-inch cover screen, powered by the same A20 Pro chipset as the iPhone 18 Pro.
The foldable iPhone will include Apple's largest battery ever at 5,500mAh, exceeding capacities in Samsung and Google foldables. Design leaks show an all-black camera plateau contrasting with body colors, plus redesigned button placement with volume controls moved to the top edge.
Apple is exploring a clamshell-style iPhone Flip as a follow-up device, though Gurman describes it as "far from guaranteed to reach the market." The company's strategy depends on consumer reception to the initial foldable model, with the clamshell potentially arriving in 2027 if development proceeds.
Pricing for the foldable iPhone may start around $2,400, positioning it firmly in the ultra-premium category. The device will feature four total cameras, Touch ID in the power button, and could skip Face ID entirely to reduce thickness.
The iPhone 18 Pro lineup arrives as Apple addresses battery life improvements that have already changed user behavior. TechRadar reports iPhone 17 Pro users nearly doubled their screen time while charging only once every two to three days, with camera improvements reducing reliance on dedicated cameras.
Apple's 2026 hardware strategy represents what could be its most ambitious product expansion in years. The company aims to capture both traditional flagship buyers and early adopters of foldable technology, addressing multiple market segments simultaneously.
