iPhone 18: Everything we know about Apple’s 2026 phone lineup

Main takeaways:

• Features: iPhone 18 Pro cameras may get variable aperture.
• colors: Apple could launch burgundy, purple, and brown versions.
• price: There have been no leaks about the price increase, which is good news at this stage.
• release date: Apple may split the iPhone 18 launch between September 2026 and February/March 2027.

this year iPhone 17 It was only released a few months ago, but there’s already a lot of speculation about what Apple has in store for 2026 and beyond with the iPhone 18. Released on September 19, the iPhone 17 lineup has impressed us with its surprising design. Basic model packed with featuresIncredibly skinny iPhone Air Boldly redesigned iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. There’s hope that next year’s lineup might surprise us, too.

We’re less than two years away from Apple’s 20th anniversary Original iPhone launch. While the company sells more phones in the United States than its competitor Android phonesApple consistently lags behind Samsung in global sales and is right ahead of Chinese phone makers like Xiaomi. There’s a lot at stake for Apple when it comes to the next iPhone, as well as building interest in a potential foldable device, like the iPhone iPhone Fold rumored.

But whether it’s a brown iPhone 18 Pro or an under-display selfie camera, here’s a look at all the rumors and leaks we’ve discovered about the potential iPhone 18 series.

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Latest rumours

iPhone 18 design differences

We hear there will likely be three models: the basic iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max. There may be too iPhone models Not in this series, like the second-generation Air or the much-rumored foldable iPhone. That would mean a total of six iPhone models if you include the 17E.

iPhone designs tend to stay the same from year to year, and current rumors indicate that this trend will continue. The screen sizes of the three phones appear to be the same as before – 6.3 and 6.9 inches respectively – with slight design differences in the camera notches on the back. The base iPhone 18 is rumored to have a smaller camera notch compared to its predecessor, while the Pro and Pro Max will retain the wider ‘plateau’ to accommodate its three rear cameras.

According to a leak from Chinese social media site Weibo, the Pro model could get a “micro transparent finish” on the rear glass panel. In addition, it may come Three new colours: coffee, purple and burgundy. Coffee brown may seem like an odd color choice for a phone, but Our own Patrick Holland is open to the concept.

Other rumors suggest that changes may be coming to Dynamic Island on iPhone. Mark Gurman is a Bloomberg Weibo user Digital chat station It suggests that Apple may be reducing the size of the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 18 models. This may result in a small hole in the camera, as the Face ID sensors may be located below/behind the screen instead.

Information It was also recently reported that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature Face ID under the display, confirming the Bloomberg rumour. Additionally, the outlet also said that the front camera will be moved to the top-left corner of the screen, and as a result, it will lose the aforementioned Dynamic Island slot.

We tested the under-display cameras On many phones over the years. The part in front of the camera features fewer screen elements and transparent wires, allowing the selfie camera to “see through” the screen, just like looking through a window with open curtains. While the idea of ​​a screen with minimal to no cutouts is a worthwhile idea, cameras below the screen usually result in poor image quality images. However, Apple may be the company that will finally figure out how to integrate an under-display camera that takes high-quality photos.

New cameras in iPhone 18

iPhone cameras are another feature that may receive a major upgrade in 2026. Macworld Reports That weebo leaker Digital chat station He said the iPhone 18 Pro Max could get a variable aperture camera, similar to how lenses in DSLRs and mirrorless cameras work. This gives people greater control over depth of field and image brightness. The information also stated that at least one rear camera on the 18 Pro will have a mechanical iris, which is another name for the lens aperture.

We’ve seen variable aperture phone cameras before. the Galaxy S9 It launched in 2018 with a dual-aperture mechanical lens on its main camera that can switch between f/1.5, allowing more light in and creating a lower depth of field, and f/2.4, which increases subject clarity. But the S9’s image sensor was small and photos from it were quite good. Xiaomi had a variable aperture, between f/1.9 and f/4.0, in 2023 13 Ultra And 2024 14 Ultra But each had a large 1-inch sensor that it could take advantage of. Unfortunately, to the frustration of CNET’s Andrew Lanxon, the company has removed the variable aperture from Xiaomi 15 Ultra.

Macworld also says that the telephoto lenses on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max could get a faster aperture, which would allow more light to hit the sensor for better low-light shots. In addition, MacRumors Reports indicate that all iPhone 18 models (except the 18E) will get improved 24-megapixel front cameras for better selfies. It’s worth noting that the iPhone 17 and Air series all feature Apple’s new Center Stage selfie camera, which has a 24-megapixel square sensor and can take 18-megapixel horizontal or vertical photos, no matter which way you hold the phones.

There too Some speculation It can simplify the iPhone’s camera control button. Instead of capacitance and pressure sensors, it may just be a pressure sensor for all the camera control functions.

Updated A20 chip and iPhone 18 specifications

Since the iPhone 17 lineup uses the A19 and A19 Pro chips, it makes sense that the upcoming iPhone 18 will use Apple chips. New A20 processor. The rumored chips are said to use a new process called Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM), which integrates RAM directly into the same chip as the CPU, GPU and neural engine. This seems to lead to better efficiency and faster performance since everything will be located on the same chip.

We’re also hearing that the iPhone 18 lineup could use Apple’s next-generation C2 modem chip to improve wireless connectivity. In addition, Information Apple is reportedly preparing to support 5G satellite networks, which could give the iPhone 18 models full satellite phone capabilities, and not only Emergency situations and Text messages.

iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Pro release date

For years, Apple has held its annual iPhone launch event in the fall. but According to multiple reportsApple’s smartphone release timeline may look different in the coming years. Bloomberg It was reported that Apple plans to launch the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its new foldable phone next fall.

On the other hand, the iPhone 18, iPhone 18E and possible iPhone Air 2 could appear six months later in February or March 2027.