We are just in April and we already have enough information abot the upcoming iPhone 18 series through a lot of leaks and rumours. A split launch strategy, a rumoured foldable iPhone, and a wave of hardware upgrades have the leak community working overtime. Here is a full breakdown of everything that has surfaced so far.
A Different Kind of Launch This Year
Before diving into the hardware, there is something worth flagging upfront. Apple is expected to split its iPhone 18 lineup, with the more expensive Pro models launching in fall 2026 and the more affordable iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e arriving in spring 2027.
Interestingly enough, the leaks suggest that we might finally see the first ever foldable iPhone this year. The iPhone Fold is expected to launch alongside the Pro models in September this year.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: What’s Changing
Out of all the iPhones that launch each year, its always the Pro models that tend to bring the most amount of upgrades over the previous generation. The Pro lineup is also the series that gets most people actually excited for something. So, let’s start with these.
New Colors
The colors are what have most people excited about the upcoming iPhones. According to the Weibo leaker Instant Digital, the iPhone 18 Pro models will not come in black in 2026, marking the second consecutive year Apple has dropped the option. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported Apple is internally testing a deep red finish for the iPhone 18 Pro series, and other leaks point to a coffee-toned option as well.
Besides these, there is also going to be a Purple color option. While these colors do look very fascinating, I’m a bit disappointed, to be honest. I am a rather basic guy who prefers his phones to be either Black or White. And this year, unfortunately, neither of those seems to be the option.
The Dynamic Island Gets Smaller
Apart from the colors, what has got people excited is the new Dynamic Island. First introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro lineup, the Dynamic Island did bring in something impressive to the table. However, with punch hole cameras and hidden cameras that we see in the Android world, the Dynamic Island has started to look a bit outdated.
Able to share this now.
First look at iPhone 18 Pros shrunken Dynamic Island.
Stay the same on base models. pic.twitter.com/ocVMQLU6sw
— Early Apple (@earlyappleleaks) March 27, 2026
With the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models, the Face ID’s flood illuminator is rumoured to move under the screen, paving the way for a noticeably smaller pill cutout. Earlier leaks suggested Face ID would go fully under the display with the front camera shifting to the top-left corner. However, more reliable sources indicate only one Face ID component is moving under the glass, resulting in a smaller Dynamic Island rather than a full redesign of the front camera layout.
As for whether the smaller Dynamic Island will make it to the standard iPhone 18, leakers are split. One notable Weibo leaker stated the standard iPhone 18 will see virtually no exterior changes, suggesting the reduced Dynamic Island will remain exclusive to the Pro models.
On the other hand, leaker Ice Universe has claimed the smaller Dynamic Island will apply to the full iPhone 18 lineup, calling it a series-wide change.
The A20 Pro Chip and C2 Modem
For the power users out there, the headline upgrade on the inside is the chip. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to feature Apple’s A20 Pro chip, built on a 2nm manufacturing process. With this, Apple will be promising better speed and efficiency compared to previous generations.
Alongside that, Apple’s next-generation C2 modem chip is expected in 2026. It could feature mmWave 5G connectivity, bringing it closer in performance to the Qualcomm modem chips it will replace.
More interestingly, the C2 modem could add support for 5G satellite connectivity using the NR-NTN standard, potentially allowing the iPhone 18 Pro to offer full internet access over satellite when standard networks are unavailable. Reports further suggest Apple is in talks with SpaceX to explore Starlink integration for this purpose.
Camera Upgrades
When it comes to the Pro models, the cameras are where the most attention is. As per the leaks, this time around a main 48-megapixel Fusion camera on both iPhone 18 Pro models is rumoured to feature variable aperture. This will allow users to control the amount of light passing through the lens and reaching the sensor. This would make the iPhone 18 Pro the first iPhone to support this feature. On the flip side, it is something that has been standard on high-end Android flagships for a while now.
All iPhone 18 models are also expected to feature a 24-megapixel front-facing camera, up from 18 megapixels.
Battery and Display
The leaks and rumours further suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro Max is will feature a 5,100 to 5,200 mAh battery. Unlike OnePlus and Oppo, they are not yet experimenting with silicon-carbon batteries just yet. Also, as it goes with Apple products mostly, we can expect more efficiency coming from the A20 chip making the iPhone 18 Pro last longer than the iPhone 17 Pro on a full charge.
Display sizes, on the other hand, are not changing. The iPhone 18 Pro models will retain the 6.3-inch display while the iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature the same 6.9-inch screen like the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Just like last year, they will get the LTPO+ technology for dynamic refresh rate adjustment.
The iPhone Fold: Finally a Foldable for iOS Users
Samsung released its first foldable smartphone back in 2019. And now almost a decade later, we might finally get to see a foldable from Apple as well. Apple’s first foldable iPhone is expected to be an open book-style, with a smaller outer display and a larger, wider inner display. As per the leaks, the outer screen will be 5.5 inches, while the display on the inside will be 7.8 inches. The iPhone Fold is expected to launch in September 2026 alongside the Pro models, with pricing potentially exceeding USD 2,000 (approximately 7,300).
2026 Could Be an Exciting Year for Apple Fans
While the design of the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to be more or less similar to its predecessors, this one is still exciting because of the rumoured iPhone Fold. The smaller Dynamic Island on the iPhone 18 lineup also could make a huge difference. So, if you are looking to buy a new iPhone, it goes without saying that you should wait a bit now. In just a few months, we might see some of the best iPhones.
