Apple may still be months away from unveiling its next generation of iPhones, but that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from churning. The iPhone 18 Pro lineup, in particular, is already attracting plenty of speculation, with reports suggesting several major upgrades are on the horizon.
One of the most intriguing rumors comes from Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station, who claims that Apple’s next big camera feature will be a variable aperture system. If true, this could dramatically improve low-light photography while capturing brighter scenes with more natural depth of field.
Another major talking point revolves around the iPhone’s front design. Sources such as display analyst Ross Young and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman report that Apple aims to further shrink the Dynamic Island and eventually remove the display cutout altogether. This could coincide with the iPhone’s 20th anniversary in 2027, when Apple reportedly plans to move the Face ID sensors under the screen. Meanwhile, The Information suggests Apple may introduce a single pinhole front camera in the upper-left corner of the display — a design first for the iPhone series.
Bigger Battery and Better Chips
The iPhone 17 lineup already offers impressive battery life, but Apple appears keen to push it even further. According to a Chinese leaker, the iPhone 18 Pro Max could be slightly thicker and heavier, possibly to accommodate a larger battery for extended endurance.
Under the hood, Apple is expected to make major strides in performance and efficiency. Rumors indicate that the next-generation A20 Pro chip will be built using a 2-nanometer process, promising more power while maintaining strong energy efficiency. Additionally, Apple may finally phase out Qualcomm’s modems in favor of its own — potentially launching the new C2 modem with mmWave 5G support in the United States. This would be a step up from the current C1X modem used in the iPhone Air.
The Information also reports that Apple could take 5G connectivity a step further by integrating support for satellite-based 5G. This would transform what’s currently a limited emergency feature into full global access, allowing users to connect to the internet virtually anywhere.
As always, these details remain speculative until Apple makes an official announcement. techdae will continue tracking the latest iPhone 18 Pro rumors and bring you updates as they develop.
