While current rumours suggest the new devices may not deliver the kind of design revolution seen in some previous generations, a wide range of upgrades could make them among Apple's most attractive iPhones in years.

More significantly, Apple is reportedly preparing to overhaul its traditional iPhone release schedule. Instead of launching the entire lineup at once, the company is expected to adopt a two-stage strategy.

Under the reported plan, the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and Apple's first foldable iPhone will debut in September 2026. The remaining models - including the standard iPhone 18, iPhone Air 2 and iPhone 18e - are expected to arrive in spring 2027.

Familiar design with refined details

Prototype images suggest Apple will retain the overall design language of the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The rear camera system is expected to keep its triangular arrangement, mounted on a raised camera platform.

However, Apple is reportedly refining the exterior to create a more seamless appearance. The Ceramic Shield 2 rear glass is expected to blend more naturally with the aluminium frame, reducing colour differences between materials and creating a more unified premium look.

Screen sizes are also expected to remain unchanged, with the iPhone 18 Pro featuring a 6.3-inch display and the iPhone 18 Pro Max retaining a 6.9-inch panel.

Record-breaking battery life

One of the most significant upgrades could come in the battery department.

Sources in China suggest the iPhone 18 Pro Max may feature a battery capacity between 5,100mAh and 5,200mAh, surpassing the 5,088mAh battery reportedly found in the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

To accommodate the larger battery, Apple may slightly increase the device's thickness. The handset could weigh around 243 grams, potentially making it heavier than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, currently Apple's heaviest iPhone.

The trade-off would be even longer battery life, strengthening the Pro Max series' position among the best-performing premium smartphones in the market.

A much smaller Dynamic Island

The future of Dynamic Island remains one of the most discussed topics among Apple watchers.

Although reports differ on whether Face ID components will move under the display this year, most sources agree that the Dynamic Island will become noticeably smaller.

Some analysts suggest its width could shrink by around 35%, from more than 20mm to approximately 13.5mm. This would provide more usable screen space and improve the overall viewing experience.

Apple is reportedly testing miniaturised front camera and Face ID technologies to achieve this goal.

More efficient LTPO+ display technology

Alongside a smaller Dynamic Island, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to introduce a new LTPO+ display technology.

Compared with current LTPO panels, LTPO+ is said to offer more precise control over the light emitted by individual OLED pixels, allowing the screen to adjust brightness more efficiently according to surrounding conditions.

The result could be improved image quality alongside reduced power consumption, helping extend battery life further.

A20 Pro 2nm chip promises major performance gains

Perhaps the most important upgrade is expected to be Apple's new A20 Pro processor.

The chip is reportedly being manufactured using TSMC's advanced 2nm process, replacing the current 3nm technology.

The smaller manufacturing process allows for greater transistor density, improved performance and lower energy consumption.

Industry forecasts suggest the A20 Pro could deliver around 15% faster performance while consuming up to 30% less power than the A19.

Apple is also expected to adopt a new WMCM packaging technology, allowing memory to be integrated directly alongside the CPU, GPU and Neural Engine. This could improve data transfer speeds, enhance AI processing and further optimise battery efficiency.

Apple's in-house C2 modem

Connectivity is also expected to receive a major upgrade.

Apple is reportedly preparing to introduce its self-developed C2 modem, the successor to the C1 modem first seen in the iPhone 16e.

The C2 is expected to offer faster data speeds, better power efficiency and support for mmWave 5G networks in the United States - a feature absent from Apple's earliest modem designs.

The move would represent another step in Apple's long-term effort to reduce dependence on Qualcomm.

DSLR-style photography features

Photography could see one of its biggest advances yet on an iPhone.

Multiple reports suggest the 48MP main camera on the iPhone 18 Pro Max will support variable aperture technology.

Traditionally found in professional cameras and a handful of premium Android smartphones, variable aperture allows users to control the amount of light entering the sensor depending on shooting conditions.

In low-light environments, the aperture can widen to capture more light. In brighter scenes, it can narrow to improve sharpness and depth control.

The feature would offer users greater creative flexibility and a shooting experience closer to that of DSLR cameras.

Samsung image sensor rumours

Another surprise may come from Samsung.

Reports indicate Samsung is developing a new three-layer image sensor specifically for the iPhone 18 series.

If accurate, it would mark the first significant move away from Apple's long-standing reliance on Sony image sensors.

The new technology is expected to improve capture speed, reduce image noise and expand dynamic range, further enhancing photo and video quality.

5G satellite internet

Apple is also reportedly working toward a future where iPhones can access the internet through satellites rather than relying entirely on terrestrial mobile networks.

If successful, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could become the first smartphones to support full 5G satellite data connectivity, extending far beyond today's emergency satellite messaging features.

Such technology could prove especially valuable in remote areas or during disruptions to traditional communications infrastructure.

A smarter Siri AI

The iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to launch with iOS 27 and a significantly upgraded Siri AI assistant.

According to reports, the new Siri will better understand context, remember personal information, recognise on-screen content and retrieve real-time information from the internet.

The assistant is also expected to integrate more deeply with emails, messages, documents and third-party applications, making artificial intelligence a much more central part of the iPhone experience.

From the A20 Pro 2nm chip and larger battery to a smaller Dynamic Island, variable-aperture camera technology, the C2 modem, LTPO+ display, satellite internet connectivity and next-generation Siri AI, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are shaping up to deliver a substantial list of upgrades.

Hai Phong