Although several months remain before its expected launch, Apple's first foldable iPhone, widely rumored to be called the iPhone Ultra, has already become the center of attention in the technology industry. Ironically, while the foldable model continues to dominate headlines, the iPhone 18 Pro risks becoming a supporting act before it has even been officially unveiled.

The latest leaked iPhone 18 Pro mockups, shared by well-known tipster Sonny Dickson, suggest that Apple may not be planning significant changes for its traditional Pro lineup this year.

For iOS users who have spent years waiting for a foldable iPhone, the rumored iPhone Ultra is clearly the most anticipated device. On the other hand, anyone expecting Apple to deliver a dramatic redesign for the iPhone 18 Pro may be left disappointed.

A familiar design that is difficult to distinguish

According to Sonny Dickson's latest leak, the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to launch in four color options: Dark Gray, Silver, Dark Cherry and Light Blue.

Among them, Dark Cherry stands out the most. The deep red shade with subtle purple undertones delivers a premium and distinctive look, with some observers predicting it could become as popular as the Cosmic Orange finish on the iPhone 17 Pro series.

Beyond the new color palette, however, it is difficult to identify any major visual differences. At first glance, the iPhone 18 Pro looks remarkably similar to the iPhone 17 Pro.

Without placing the two devices side by side, many users would likely struggle to tell them apart. Such a subtle visual update is unusual for what has long been Apple's most premium smartphone line.

Despite the largely unchanged design language, Apple is reportedly making several small dimensional adjustments.

According to leaked information, the iPhone 18 Pro could be slightly taller, wider and thicker than its predecessor. The added thickness is believed to create room for a larger battery, potentially improving battery life - a feature consistently valued by users.

The rear camera module is also expected to become roughly 3% thicker, while the individual camera sensors may occupy more space and protrude further than before.

Even so, these changes are considered relatively minor. Some reports suggest that cases designed for the iPhone 17 Pro could still fit the iPhone 18 Pro with little difficulty.

The decision indicates that Apple is focusing on refinement rather than a complete redesign.

One potentially significant upgrade is that the iPhone 18 Pro could become the first iPhone in four years to feature a smaller Dynamic Island.

Since its debut on the iPhone 14 Pro series, Dynamic Island has become one of the defining visual features of modern iPhones. Reducing its size would increase usable screen space and create a more immersive display experience.

Earlier rumors suggested Apple might adopt a cleaner and more unified rear design for the new generation. The latest information, however, indicates that such plans may not materialize.

In other words, users should not expect a major design revolution from the iPhone 18 Pro.

Is the iPhone Ultra the reason?

One explanation for the relatively conservative approach may be the arrival of the iPhone Ultra.

According to multiple industry reports, Apple is dedicating much of its research and development effort to its first foldable iPhone. The device is widely viewed as a strategic product intended to compete with premium foldable smartphones from Samsung, Honor, Huawei and other Android manufacturers.

If the iPhone Ultra launches at a price of around USD 2,000 as rumored, Apple will undoubtedly want it to become the standout device in its ecosystem. To achieve that goal, the company must create a clear distinction between the Ultra and the traditional Pro models.

In that context, limiting the iPhone 18 Pro to modest upgrades may be a deliberate strategic decision. Apple could be reserving its most groundbreaking innovations for the more expensive Ultra model, encouraging consumers to move up to the premium tier.

While some critics argue that the iPhone 18 Pro is being overshadowed, Apple's approach is hardly unprecedented.

Unlike many Android manufacturers that redesign their flagship smartphones annually, Apple is known for maintaining design languages across multiple generations before introducing major visual changes.

In reality, the company only adopted the horizontal camera-bar design with the previous generation. Expecting another complete transformation just one year later may be unrealistic.

Nevertheless, the emergence of the iPhone Ultra is making the iPhone 18 Pro appear less exciting than ever. If current leaks prove accurate, the biggest highlights of the iPhone 18 Pro may simply be the new Dark Cherry finish, along with incremental improvements to battery life, camera hardware and display technology.

Meanwhile, industry attention is likely to remain focused on Apple's first foldable iPhone, a product many believe could open an entirely new chapter for the iPhone nearly two decades after its debut.

With the iPhone Ultra, Apple may be preparing its next major revolution. For the iPhone 18 Pro, however, 2026 appears set to be a year of refinement rather than transformation.

Hai Phong