iPhone 18: Everything We Know About Apple’s 2026 Phone Lineup

Key findings:

• Functions: iPhone 18 Pro cameras may get variable aperture.
• Colors: Apple may release burgundy, purple and brown versions.
• Price: There have been no leaks about a price increase, which is good news for now.
• Release date: Apple may split the iPhone 18 launch between September 2026 and February/March 2027.

This year iPhone 17 was released just a few months ago, but there is 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 blew us away with its amazing multifunctional basic modelincredibly slim iPhone Air and boldly redesigned iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. There is hope that perhaps next year's line-up will also surprise us.

Apple is less than two years away from its 20th anniversary launch of the original iPhone. At the same time, the company sells more phones in the US than its competitor Android phonesApple has consistently trailed Samsung in global sales and is ahead of Chinese phone makers such as Xiaomi. There's a lot at stake for Apple when it comes to the next iPhone, as well as increased interest in a possible foldable device like rumored iPhone Fold.

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

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Latest Rumors

Differences in iPhone 18 design

We're hearing that there will likely be three models: the base iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max. It could also be iPhone models not in this series, like the second-generation Air or the much-rumored foldable iPhone. This could mean there will be a total of six iPhone models if you include the 17E.

iPhone designs tend to remain the same year after year, and current rumors suggest 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 minor design differences in the camera bumps on the back. The base iPhone 18 is rumored to have a smaller camera bump compared to its predecessor, while the Pro and Pro Max will retain a wider bump to accommodate three rear cameras.

According to a leak on Chinese social media site Weibo, the Pro model could come with a “thin transparent finish” on the rear glass panel. Besides, it may come three new colors: coffee, purple and burgundy. Coffee brown may seem like an odd choice for a phone color, but our own Patrick Holland is open to the concept.

Other rumors suggest changes may be coming to Dynamic Island for iPhone. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Weibo user Digital chat station suggest that Apple may reduce the size of the Dynamic Island on iPhone 18 models. This could result in a small cutout for the camera, as the Face ID sensors could be located below or behind the display instead.

Information It was also recently reported that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature an under-display Face ID system, confirming a Bloomberg rumor. In addition, the publication also reported that the front camera will be moved to the top left corner of the screen, and as a result, the aforementioned Dynamic Island notch will be missing.

We tested the cameras under the display on several phones over the years. The portion of the display in front of the camera has fewer screen elements and translucent wiring, allowing the selfie camera to “see through” the screen, as if you were looking through a window with the blinds open. While the idea of ​​having a display with minimal or no notches is a worthy one, cameras placed under the display usually result in low-quality photos. However, Apple may be the company that will finally figure out how to build an under-display camera that will capture high-quality images.

New cameras on iPhone 18

iPhone cameras are another feature that could get a major upgrade in 2026. Macworld reports this is a Weibo leader Digital chat station stated that the iPhone 18 Pro Max may have a variable aperture camera, similar to how lenses work on DSLR and mirrorless cameras. This allows people to have greater control over the depth of field and brightness of the image. The Information also reported that at least one rear camera on the 18 Pro will have a mechanical aperture, another name for lens aperture.

We've already seen phone cameras with variable aperture. Galaxy S9 was released in 2018 with a mechanical dual-aperture lens on the main camera that could switch between f/1.5, allowing more light in and creating a shallower depth of field, and f/2.4, which made the subject sharper. But the S9's image sensor was tiny, and photos from it were quite normal. Xiaomi had a variable aperture from f/1.9 to f/4.0 in the 2023 model. 13 Ultra and 2024 14 Ultra but each had a large 1-inch sensor that could take advantage of it. Unfortunately, to the disappointment of CNET reporter Andrew Lancson, the company has removed the variable aperture on Xiaomi 15 Ultra.

Macworld also reports that the telephoto lenses on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max may get a shorter aperture, allowing more light to enter the sensor for better low-light photos. Besides, McRumors reports that all iPhone 18 models (except 18E) will receive updated 24-megapixel front cameras for improved selfies. It's worth noting that the iPhone 17 and Air series feature Apple's new Center Stage selfie camera, which has a square 24-megapixel sensor and can take 18-megapixel horizontal or vertical photos no matter how you hold the phones.

There is also some guesses that the iPhone camera control button can be simplified. Instead of capacitive and pressure sensors, it can simply detect pressure for all camera control functions.

Updated A20 chip and iPhone 18 specifications

Since the iPhone 17 lineup uses A19 and A19 Pro chips, it makes sense that the upcoming iPhone 18 will use Apple chips. new A20 processor. These chips are rumored to use a new process called Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM), which embeds RAM directly onto the same wafer as the CPU, GPU, and neural engine. Obviously, this leads to increased efficiency and performance since everything will be located on a single chip.

We're also hearing that the iPhone 18 lineup could use Apple's next-generation C2 modem chip to improve wireless connectivity. Besides, Information reports that Apple is preparing to support 5G networks from satellites, potentially giving iPhone 18 models full satellite phone capabilities rather than just emergency situations And text messages.

iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Pro release date

For years, Apple held an annual iPhone launch event in the fall. But according to numerous reportsApple's smartphone release schedule may look different in the coming years. Bloomberg reported that Apple plans to release the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and its new foldable model next fall.

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