iPhone 18 Pro Max, 18 Pro leaks: Battery, camera, design, launch, price and other details

Apple may still be nearly 7 months away from launching the iPhone 18 Pro series, but that has not stopped leaks from giving early expectations around its 2026 flagship phones. Over the past few weeks, multiple reports have pointed in the same direction, hinting at visible changes on the front, deeper camera upgrades, and internal tweaks aimed at improving performance and battery life. For users who are already debating whether to upgrade soon or hold on for another cycle, the early picture of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max offers plenty to think about. We will also take a look at the price expectations of the upcoming models. Here are the details.

iPhone 18 Pro Max, 18 Pro leaks: Battery, camera, design, launch, price and other details

Design: Any updates?

One of the most talked-about changes is the front design. Apple has relied on the pill-shaped cutout and Dynamic Island for several generations now, but that may finally start to change. Leaked renders and early test units suggest Apple is experimenting with moving Face ID components under the display. If this works as planned, the visible cutout could shrink to a single hole for the front camera. Interestingly, the camera is shown positioned near the top-left corner instead of the centre, giving the phone a noticeably different look from current iPhones.

Dynamic Island is not expected to vanish altogether. Instead, Apple appears to be reworking it into a more subtle element. Leaks suggest it could sit closer to the front camera and take up less space, making it feel less intrusive during everyday use while still supporting live activities, navigation cues, and music controls that users have grown used to.

On the back, Apple seems less interested in reinventing the wheel. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are likely to stick with a triple-camera setup on a raised module. That said, small refinements are expected. Reports mention tweaks to the back glass finish and how it blends into the aluminium frame. There is also chatter around new colour options for the Pro lineup, with darker shades such as deep purple, burgundy, and even coffee-like brown being tested internally.

Cameras?

Cameras, however, are where Apple may push harder. One of the more interesting leaks points to a variable aperture system for the main camera. Unlike the fixed aperture used on current iPhones, a mechanical aperture would allow the lens to adjust how much light it lets in. This could help deliver more natural background blur and better low-light shots without relying entirely on software processing. Not all models may get this feature though, with some reports suggesting it could be exclusive to the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Another expected upgrade is a new three-layer stacked image sensor, said to be sourced from Samsung. This sensor design could improve readout speeds, reduce image noise, and offer better dynamic range. Along with this, both the main and telephoto cameras are tipped to feature larger apertures, which should help with night photography and video recording, two areas Apple continues to focus on.

Chipset, battery, connectivity

Inside the phone, Apple is expected to introduce the A20 Pro chipset. Built on TSMC’s upcoming 2nm process, the chip is said to use a new packaging method where the RAM is placed directly on the same wafer as the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine. This tighter integration could improve speed, efficiency, and heat management. Early estimates point to around a 15 percent jump in performance and up to 30 percent better power efficiency compared to the previous generation, which could also support more advanced Apple Intelligence features.

This internal redesign may also free up space inside the chassis. Apple could use that extra room to improve cooling or fit in a larger battery. Battery upgrades are already being discussed, especially for the Pro Max model. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is said to be slightly thicker to accommodate a battery of around 5,100mAh. That could push the weight beyond 240 grams, making it heavier than earlier models, but many users may be willing to accept that trade-off for longer battery life.

Connectivity is another area where changes are expected. The iPhone 18 Pro Max could feature Apple’s next-generation C2 modem. If accurate, this would bring mmWave 5G support back to Apple’s in-house modem lineup, improving network performance in regions where mmWave is available.

Display

As for the display, sizes are likely to remain the same. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to retain a 6.3-inch screen, while the Pro Max could stick with a 6.9-inch panel. There is still some disagreement among sources on whether the Dynamic Island will be fully removed or simply reduced, but most reports agree that the front will look cleaner than before.

iPhone 18 Pro Max, 18 Pro: Price expectations

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September 2026, following its usual launch cycle. Pricing, however, remains a big question mark. With the iPhone 17 Pro already starting at Rs 1,34,900 in India and the Pro Max at Rs 1,49,900, Apple may be cautious about pushing prices even higher. The iPhone 17 price hikes have already narrowed the room for another steep increase, especially in price-sensitive markets like India.

Given the trend so far, Apple may choose to keep pricing broadly similar for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup to avoid adding further pressure on buyers and to stay competitive against premium Android flagships. That said, factors such as component costs, memory pricing, and supply-chain constraints could still influence the final numbers. As always, Apple is unlikely to confirm anything until much closer to launch, leaving these early leaks as a glimpse into what could be a meaningful upgrade cycle for the iPhone.