iPhone 18 Pro: Everything We Know About Apple's Most Anticipated Upgrade
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro is still months away but leaks are already pointing to a variable aperture camera, a bigger battery and a deep red finish that could make it one of the more tempting upgrades in years.
Feb 23, 2026
You just bought the iPhone 17 Pro and now this.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro is still months away but the leaks are already stacking up, and some of what's being reported is worth paying attention to. Here is everything we know so far based on analyst notes, supply chain reports and credible leaks.
iPhone 18 Pro Release Date and Pricing
Apple is expected to stick to its usual schedule, with the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max set to launch in September 2026. The announcement is anticipated around September 9 to 10, with pre-orders opening shortly after and retail availability likely by September 18 to 19. Pricing is expected to hold steady at $1,099 for the Pro and $1,199 for the Pro Max, which is good news for anyone who has been bracing for another increase. The base iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e, meanwhile, may not arrive until early 2027 as Apple prioritises the Pro models and its first foldable iPhone for the fall launch window.
iPhone 18 Pro Camera: Variable Aperture and 24MP Selfie Lens
This is where things get interesting. The main 48-megapixel sensor on the iPhone 18 Pro is rumoured to feature variable aperture, meaning users would be able to control how much light enters the lens and adjust depth of field manually. It is a feature that photographers have wanted on iPhones for a long time and would put Apple in territory that most Android flagships have not fully cracked either. On the front camera, Chinese leaker WhyLab suggests a jump from 18MP to 24MP on both Pro models, which would improve selfie detail, portrait shots and low-light video calls. That one is framed as a strong possibility rather than a confirmed spec, so take it with some caution.
iPhone 18 Pro Battery Life: The Biggest Upgrade Yet
Battery life is shaping up to be one of the headline improvements. The iPhone 18 Pro Max could reportedly pack a 5,200 mAh battery, the largest ever fitted in an iPhone. Combined with Apple's next-generation A20 Pro chip built on a 2-nanometer process and the more efficient C2 modem, the result could be genuinely noticeable gains over the already solid iPhone 17 Pro. The A20 Pro chip is also expected to bring improved AI performance and better thermal management, which matters if you are someone who pushes the phone hard with photography, gaming or Apple Intelligence features.
iPhone 18 Pro Design: Smaller Dynamic Island and Deep Red Color
The overall design is not getting a major overhaul, but there are a couple of changes worth noting. The Dynamic Island is expected to shrink slightly because Apple is reportedly moving some Face ID components under the display. Earlier rumours of a full hole-punch cutout or completely under-display Face ID have been walked back, so this is more of a refinement than a redesign. On color, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple is internally testing a deep red finish described as a rich burgundy rather than a bright red. It would be the first time the Pro lineup has come in red, and given how well Cosmic Orange landed with the iPhone 17 Pro, expect this one to sell out fast.
None of this is confirmed and specs can shift before September. But if even half of it lands as rumoured, the iPhone 18 Pro is shaping up to be one of the more compelling upgrades in recent years.
