Key takeaways:

• Features: Dynamic Island could be smaller and cameras might have a variable aperture -- plus, there are rumors of a bigger battery. However, some components could be downgraded due to memory component shortages.
• Colors: Apple could launch red, burgundy, purple and brown versions or variations thereof.
• Price: There have been no leaks about price increases, which is good news at this point.
• Release date: Apple might split the iPhone 18 launch between fall 2026 and spring 2027.

Apple's next iPhone release could be built on shifting sands even as we get closer to the fall, when its new phones are traditionally announced. The iPhone 17 series impressed us with its surprisingly feature-packed base model, the incredibly slender iPhone Air, the boldly redesigned iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max and the entry-level iPhone 17E. We're hoping the iPhone 18 lineup will surprise us, too. 

The company is only a year or so away from the 20th anniversary of the original iPhone's launch. While the company sells more phones in the US than rival Android phones, Apple is consistently behind Samsung in global sales and just ahead of Chinese phone makers like Xiaomi. A lot is at stake for Apple with the next iPhone, including building interest in a possible foldable device, such as the rumored iPhone Fold.

Already, some of the hottest rumors include Dynamic Island shrinking, along with the possibility that the iPhone 18 and 18 Pro will have the same RAM as the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. Also, word is that Apple could split the launch of its iPhone 18 lineup, with the premium models coming out this year and more entry-level models releasing next year. Here's a look at all the rumors and leaks we've uncovered about the potential iPhone 18 series.

Latest rumors

iPhone 18 design differences

We're hearing there likely will be three models: the base iPhone 18, the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone 18 Pro Max. There also may be iPhone models not in this series, like a second-generation Air or the much-rumored folding iPhone. That could mean a total of six iPhone models that are in the works if you include the also-rumored 18E.

Designs for the iPhone tend to remain the same year after year, and current rumors suggest this trend will continue. The screen sizes of the three handsets look to be the same as before -- 6.3 and 6.9 inches, respectively -- with minor design differences in the camera bumps on the back. A Weibo tipster also appears to hint that Apple's brightness requirements are incredibly demanding, which might result in OLED supply issues. This leads some to suspect it has a much brighter screen. 

The base iPhone 18 is rumored to have a smaller camera bump compared to its predecessor, while the Pro and Pro Max will retain the wider "plateau" to accommodate their three rear cameras. 

According to a leak from the Chinese social media site Weibo, the Pro model could get a "subtle transparent finish" on the rear glass panel. A Chinese leaker reportedly said that the iPhone 18 Pro could have a more unified design versus the two-tone look it has now. Some rumors also suggest that it could have a heavier, thicker build.

It might also come in three new colors: coffee, purple and burgundy. Coffee brown might seem like an odd choice for a phone color, but our own Patrick Holland is open to the concept. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman notes that Apple could also be considering a deep red color for its iPhone 18 lineup. As he points out, however, it's likely that deep red, burgundy, purple and coffee brown are all variations of the same red idea. It could just be one of these colors that makes it through production. 

Other rumors suggest that changes may be coming to the iPhone's Dynamic Island. Gurman and Weibo user Digital Chat Station suggest that Apple may reduce the size of the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 18 models. This could result in a small pinhole cutout for the camera, as the Face ID sensors may be located beneath the display.

The Information also recently reported that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature under-screen Face ID, confirming the Bloomberg rumor. Additionally, the outlet also said that the front camera would be moved to the top left corner of the screen and, as a result, would be missing the Dynamic Island cutout. 

Contradicting that claim, X account Ice Universe alleges that the Dynamic Island cutout on the iPhone 18 Pro models will remain, but would instead be "approximately 35% narrower" than it is on current iPhone 17 Pro models. This is in relation to how the Dynamic Island looks by default; the area enlarges depending on Live Activities or other information, just like the existing Dynamic Island. MacRumors suggests that the new iPhone will only have partial under-screen Face ID, which still requires the existence of a Dynamic Island. 

Another piece of evidence that supports the shrinking Dynamic Island claim is recently leaked images from the X account @earlyappleleaks. The photos show what appears to be an iPhone 18 Pro prototype with a much smaller Dynamic Island cutout. Similarly, X account Ice Universe shared a photo of what it claims to be an iPhone 18 Pro screen protector. It, too, shows a much smaller Dynamic Island.

We've tested under-display cameras on several phones over the years. The part of the display in front of the camera features fewer screen elements and translucent wiring, allowing the selfie camera to "see through" the screen, much like looking out a window with open blinds. While the idea of having a display with minimal or no cutouts is a worthy one, under-display cameras typically result in photos with poor image quality. However, maybe Apple is the company that will finally figure out how to integrate a camera under the display that captures high-quality images.

Otherwise, Bloomberg's Gurman also warns that the 18 Pro could be "underwhelming," stating that it could just have very minor tweaks. This is a bit of a departure from prior iPhone Pros, as the Pro has usually been the more premium version of the iPhone lineup. 

A bigger battery for iPhone 18 Pro

After years of customers asking, Apple finally chose battery over case slimness in the iPhone 17 Pro. And that model continues to surprise us, coming out on top in Patrick Holland's recent comparison of battery life across 35 phones. We're especially curious about whether Apple will adopt new silicon-carbon battery technology.

Based on a post on the Chinese social media site Weibo, spotted by 9to5Mac, the iPhone 18 Pro could include a battery in excess of 5,000 mAh -- specifically, 5,000 mAh for models with a physical SIM card slot (as required in some countries) and 5,200 mAh for models that rely solely on eSIM (which give up more internal space that can be filled with more battery).

Another post from leaker account ApplesClubs corroborates the claim, stating the iPhone 18 Pro has even better battery life than the 17 Pro.

New cameras on iPhone 18

The iPhone's cameras are another feature that may receive a significant upgrade in 2026. Macworld reports that Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station said the iPhone 18 Pro Max could get a camera with a variable aperture, similar to how the lenses on DSLR and mirrorless cameras work. This allows people greater control over depth of field and image brightness. The Information also reported that at least one rear camera on the 18 Pro would have a mechanical iris, another name for a lens' aperture. 

We've seen variable aperture phone cameras before. The Galaxy S9 launched in 2018 with a mechanical dual-aperture lens on its main camera that could switch between f1.5, allowing more light to enter and creating a shallower depth of field, and f2.4, which sharpened the subject more. But the S9's image sensor was tiny, and photos from it were just OK. Xiaomi had a variable aperture, between f1.9 and f4.0, on the 2023 13 Ultra and 2024 14 Ultra, but each had a large 1-inch-type sensor that could take advantage of it. Sadly, to the frustration of CNET's Andrew Lanxon, the company removed the variable aperture on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.

Macworld also says the telephoto lenses on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max could get a faster aperture, letting more light hit the sensor for better low-light shots. Additionally, MacRumors reports that all iPhone 18 models (except the 18E) would get upgraded 24-megapixel front-facing cameras for improved selfies. We should note that the iPhone 17 series and Air all have Apple's new Center Stage selfie camera, which has a square 18-megapixel sensor and can take either horizontal or vertical photos, no matter which way you're holding the phones.

There is also some speculation that the iPhone's Camera Control button could be simplified. Instead of capacitive and pressure sensors, it might just be pressure-sensing for all of the Camera Control's functions. 

Updated A20 chip and iPhone 18 specs

As the iPhone 17 lineup uses the A19 and A19 Pro chips, it makes sense that the upcoming iPhone 18 would use Apple's new A20 processor. The rumored chips are said to use a new process called Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module, which incorporates the RAM directly into the same wafer as the CPU, GPU and neural engine. This apparently results in better efficiency and faster performance because everything would be located on the same chip. 

We're also hearing that the iPhone 18 lineup could use Apple's next-gen C2 modem chip for improved wireless connectivity. Additionally, The Information reports that Apple is preparing to support 5G networks from satellites, potentially giving iPhone 18 models full satellite phone capabilities, not just for emergencies and texting. 

That said, a recent rumor on Weibo suggests that the iPhone 18's specs could be "downgraded" to be closer to an iPhone 18E model. That could also be more focused on reducing production costs on the back end.

MacRumors recently reported that the iPhone 18 could have 12GB of RAM, according to a research note by analyst Jeff Pu.

Although this is not exclusive to the iPhone 18, Apple also recently announced that Google's Gemini will be running its AI-powered Siri later this year. 

iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Pro release date

For years, Apple has held its annual iPhone launch event in the fall. But according to multiple reports, Apple's smartphone release schedule could look different in the coming years.

Bloomberg has reported that Apple plans to release the more expensive iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro Max and its new foldable in fall 2026, while the more affordable iPhone 18 and the iPhone 18E (and maybe a potential iPhone Air 2) could debut six months later in February or March 2027.

Seeing as Apple has released the iPhone 16E and 17E in the spring of 2025 and 2026, that's not a surprising development. It does mean, however, that if you're holding out for a more affordable iPhone, you could have to wait until next year to plan your purchase. 

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