Apple is widely expected to unveil its next-generation iPhones next month, bringing several notable changes. Alongside an all-new foldable iPhone Ultra, the two models likely to attract the most attention remain the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.

If current leaks prove accurate, Apple’s premium duo will feature more than subtle design refinements, with significant upgrades expected in performance, cameras, battery life and connectivity. Here are six of the biggest changes rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max.

New design: Smaller Dynamic Island, more seamless rear panel

Overall, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to retain the dimensions and core design language of the current generation. However, Apple is rumored to be making three notable changes to give the devices a fresher look.

The most significant could be a smaller Dynamic Island. Components used for Face ID are reportedly being moved beneath the display, allowing Apple to reduce the size of the screen cutout to its smallest in years.

While this may not represent a major functional change, it could make a meaningful difference visually. The display would appear more seamless while giving the device a higher screen-to-body ratio.

Apple is also reportedly looking to address the controversial two-tone rear design of the iPhone 17 Pro. Instead of creating a pronounced contrast between the glass and aluminum sections, the company could more closely match the colors of the two materials, resulting in a cleaner, more unified appearance.

The iPhone 18 Pro is also likely to introduce new color options. Among the rumored finishes, a deep cherry red or burgundy is attracting particular attention and could replace the previous generation’s Cosmic Orange.

A20 Pro: A major leap in performance and AI

As usual, Apple is expected to equip its next-generation iPhone with an entirely new processor. For the iPhone 18 Pro, that will likely be the A20 Pro, potentially one of the device’s most important upgrades.

The A20 Pro is rumored to become Apple’s first chip manufactured using a 2nm process. Beyond the shift in manufacturing technology, the chip is also expected to adopt WMCM, or Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module, packaging.

Combining a 2nm process with the new packaging technology is expected to deliver a significant step forward from the A19 Pro in the iPhone 17 Pro. Apple could improve processing performance, power efficiency and the ability to handle artificial intelligence workloads at the same time.

This will be particularly important as Apple increasingly places AI and Apple Intelligence at the heart of its iPhone strategy. A more powerful yet energy-efficient chip could allow the iPhone 18 Pro to handle complex AI workloads without sacrificing too much battery life.

Variable-aperture camera, brighter telephoto lens

Cameras have consistently been one of Apple’s key areas of improvement on its Pro iPhones. With the iPhone 18 Pro, the biggest change could come to the main camera.

According to leaks, Apple is developing a main camera with a variable aperture, giving users greater control over depth of field when taking photos.

A variable aperture could allow users to create a shallow depth of field when they want to isolate a subject from the background. A medium depth of field could keep the subject prominent while leaving the background recognizable, while a deeper depth of field could keep more of the entire frame in focus.

The feature could bring iPhone photography closer to the level of control offered by professional cameras rather than relying almost entirely on computational processing.

Apple is also rumored to be introducing a telephoto lens with a wider aperture, potentially improving low-light photography and delivering better image quality when zooming.

The Camera app could also gain additional features aimed at professional users, further strengthening the iPhone Pro lineup’s position in mobile photography and videography.

Battery life could be the best ever on an iPhone

The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max already feature the largest batteries ever used in an iPhone. Based on current reports, Apple appears set to push battery life even further with the iPhone 18 Pro generation.

The iPhone 18 Pro Max, in particular, is expected to feature a battery with around 10% more capacity than its predecessor. But a larger battery may not be the only factor extending the device’s runtime.

The A20 Pro’s 2nm manufacturing process is expected to improve power efficiency. Apple could also switch to its own C2 cellular modem, replacing Qualcomm’s 5G modem in its premium models.

Together, these changes could make the iPhone 18 Pro more energy efficient and extend real-world battery life without necessarily requiring a larger device.

Camera Control 2.0: Apple may simplify the camera button

Apple first introduced Camera Control on the iPhone 16 as a dedicated camera button. It supports a range of touch-based gestures for adjusting zoom, exposure, tone and several other functions.

However, the design has not won over every user. Some find Camera Control overly complicated and occasionally difficult to operate, particularly when using its touch functions rather than simply pressing the button to take a photo.

For the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, Apple is reportedly preparing a simpler Camera Control 2.0. Some touch-sensitive components could be removed, while the button’s design and operation may also be revised.

The apparent goal is to make Camera Control easier to use, eliminating unnecessary interactions while retaining quick access to the camera.

C2 modem: Apple continues reducing reliance on Qualcomm

After years of development, Apple has begun gradually replacing Qualcomm cellular modems with technology developed in-house.

The C1 modem first appeared in the iPhone 16e, followed by the C1X in the iPhone Air. With the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, the next-generation C2 modem is expected to make its debut.

Apple-designed 5G modems have demonstrated solid performance while also offering advantages in power efficiency and battery life compared with previous Qualcomm solutions.

Taken together, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max may not represent a revolution in design, but they are shaping up to deliver a comprehensive package of upgrades.

The arrival of a foldable iPhone Ultra could make this year’s iPhone launch considerably more noteworthy. Even so, with their combination of performance, camera, battery and design improvements, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are still likely to command much of the market’s attention.

Hai Phong