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Apple is gearing up for one of its most closely watched flagship launches yet, with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max expected to debut in September 2026. According to supply chain sources and multiple leaks, the Cupertino giant could hold its keynote around September 8 or 9, with sales likely to begin around September 18. Notably, reports suggest Apple may reserve this year's event exclusively for the Pro models and its long-rumoured first foldable iPhone, pushing the standard iPhone 18 and a cheaper iPhone 18e to a spring 2027 release instead.
Smaller Dynamic Island, but no radical redesign
Unlike the significant overhaul the iPhone 17 Pro received last year, this year's changes are expected to be more measured. The most talked-about tweak is a shrunken Dynamic Island, with leaks suggesting Apple has managed to tuck some Face ID components beneath the display, potentially making the cutout up to 35 percent smaller than on the iPhone 17 Pro. Some earlier rumours had even predicted a shift to a hole-punch cutout altogether, though most current leaks suggest the pill-shaped Dynamic Island will stick around, just in a trimmer form. Display sizes are tipped to remain unchanged at 6.3 inches for the Pro and 6.9 inches for the Pro Max.
Design changes that could split opinion
Beyond the front-facing cutout, a few other tweaks are expected to draw mixed reactions. Apple is said to be toning down the two-tone glass-and-aluminium finish introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro's camera plateau, aiming for a more uniform back panel. The camera module itself may grow slightly larger to accommodate upgraded sensors, and the Camera Control button is rumoured to drop its touch-sensitive functions in favour of pressure sensitivity alone — a change some users may find limiting. New colour options, including shades like dark cherry and a deeper purple, are also doing the rounds.
Power and camera upgrades
Under the hood, the headline upgrade is Apple's new A20 Pro chip, expected to be the company's first built on TSMC's 2nm process, promising notable gains in speed, efficiency, on-device AI performance. The Pro lineup may also introduce Apple's third-generation C2 modem for faster 5G and satellite connectivity. On optics, leaks point to a 48MP main sensor with variable aperture for better light and depth control, alongside 48MP ultrawide and telephoto periscope lenses. Battery capacity is also expected to grow, particularly on the
Pro Max, which could push past the 5,000mAh mark.
While Apple hasn't confirmed any of these details officially, the overlapping leaks from multiple supply chain sources suggest this year's Pro iPhones will lean toward refinement over reinvention with the boldest surprise likely reserved for the foldable iPhone expected to share the stage.
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