iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max launch soon: Details leaked on camera, India price, battery, and more

Apple’s next big iPhone launch is still a few months away, but leaks around the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are already painting a good picture of what buyers could get this year. If Apple sticks to its usual launch timeline, the new iPhone 18 series is expected to debut around September, which means the countdown has effectively begun. Interestingly, this year’s lineup could look very different from previous generations. Reports claim Apple may delay the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e models until early next year, putting the spotlight mainly on the premium Pro models. That could also explain why most of the major leaks right now are focused on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.

While Apple is also rumoured to unveil its first foldable iPhone in 2026, many users are still more interested in the classic iPhone experience. And based on the latest reports, Apple seems ready to offer several meaningful upgrades rather than just another routine refresh. The upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models are tipped to arrive with a new chipset, upgraded camera hardware, improved battery life, a slimmer Dynamic Island, and Apple’s next-generation modem. There are also talks about changes to the display and design too.

Design, display, thickness?

On the design front, Apple is reportedly keeping the overall look familiar. The iPhone 18 Pro series is expected to continue with a triple-camera setup and the large rear camera plateau seen on recent Pro iPhones. However, leaks suggest Apple could slightly refine the rear finish to create a more seamless look between the frame and back panel.

One of the most talked-about changes is happening on the front. Multiple leaks suggest Apple is trying to reduce the size of the Dynamic Island. Some earlier rumours claimed the company would move Face ID completely under the display, but newer reports indicate that technology may not be ready yet. Instead, Apple could simply shrink the Dynamic Island to free up more screen space.

A leak from Ice Universe suggests the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 18 Pro could be nearly 35 percent narrower than the current version. CAD renders and prototype images that surfaced online also hint at a smaller cutout.

The displays themselves are not expected to grow in size. The iPhone 18 Pro could continue with a 6.3-inch screen, while the Pro Max may retain the large 6.9-inch panel. Apple is reportedly upgrading to a more power-efficient LTPO+ display technology, which could help improve battery life further.

The iPhone 18 Pro Max may also become slightly thicker this year. Leaks claim the device could measure 8.8mm in thickness, compared to 8.75mm on the previous model. While that difference may sound tiny, it reportedly allows Apple to fit a larger battery inside.

Bigger battery?

According to leaks, the iPhone 18 Pro Max could pack a battery between 5,100mAh and 5,200mAh. For your reference, the iPhone 17 Pro Max has a slightly smaller 5,088mAh battery. Combined with the efficiency improvements from Apple’s next-generation 2nm chipset, the battery life could once again become one of the biggest highlights of the 18 Pro Max model. Battery details for the smaller Pro version are still unclear.

Any camera changes?

Camera upgrades are also expected to play a major role this year. Apple is reportedly testing a variable aperture system for the main camera. This would allow users to manually control how much light enters the sensor, giving better control over exposure and depth effects.

Leaks further suggest Apple could use a new three-layer stacked image sensor developed by Samsung. The upgraded sensor is said to improve responsiveness, reduce noise, and offer better dynamic range in photos.

The telephoto camera could also see improvements with a larger aperture for better low-light photography. Reports even claim Apple is exploring teleconverter technology to improve zoom performance, though it remains unclear how exactly that would work on a smartphone.

New chipset

Powering the iPhone 18 Pro series is expected to be Apple’s new A20 chip. Reports claim the processor will be built using TSMC’s advanced 2nm process, which could deliver up to 15 per cent faster performance and around 30 per cent better efficiency compared to the previous generation.

Apple is also said to be using a new chip packaging method called WMCM, which integrates RAM directly with the processor components. This could improve Apple Intelligence performance, increase efficiency, and free up internal space for other hardware.

The modem is another area where Apple reportedly wants to improve things. The iPhone 18 Pro models are tipped to feature Apple’s new C2 modem, which may finally bring support for mmWave 5G along with improved satellite connectivity.

Leaks suggest Apple could expand satellite features beyond emergency services. Future iPhones may allow internet access over satellite in areas without network coverage, and even let third-party apps use satellite connectivity.

As for colours, Apple may introduce a new dark cherry finish for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. Reports describe it as a deep red shade with hints of purple. Other leaked colour options include light blue, dark gray, and silver, though Apple could still make changes before production begins.

iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max India price (leaked details)

One of the biggest questions around the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro series is whether Apple will increase prices again this year. So far, leaks suggest that the company will try to avoid a major jump in pricing despite the expected hardware upgrades.

Popular Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently said that Apple is unlikely to raise the prices of the iPhone 18 Pro models. While he hasn’t shared an exact reason, this could be because Apple already increased the prices of the iPhone 17 Pro lineup in 2025 (by around Rs 5,000 in India). Another hike immediately after that could make the Pro models even harder to sell in price-sensitive markets like India.

This becomes even more important at a time when standard iPhone models continue to perform strongly. The regular iPhones usually attract more buyers because they offer flagship-level performance and reliable cameras at comparatively lower prices. In fact, a recent Counterpoint Research report claimed that the standard iPhone 17 was one of the best-selling smartphones globally during the first quarter of 2026.

As for the expected pricing, the iPhone 17 Pro launched in India at Rs 1,34,900, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max debuted at Rs 1,49,900. If Apple sticks to a similar strategy, the iPhone 18 Pro series could launch in roughly the same price range. At most, buyers may see only a marginal increase.

That said, keeping prices stable may not be easy this year. The iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to use Apple’s advanced 2nm A20 Pro chipset, which is reportedly much more expensive to manufacture compared to previous-generation chips. Reports claim TSMC’s 2nm production costs are significantly higher because of the advanced manufacturing process and equipment involved.

Memory prices are also said to be increasing globally, and several smartphone brands, including Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Nothing, have already raised prices for some of their devices in recent months.

Despite these rising costs, analysts believe Apple may absorb part of the additional expense to maintain strong sales momentum in key markets. Another analyst, Jeff Pu, has reportedly suggested that Apple could follow an “aggressive pricing strategy” for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. According to him, the company may either retain the current pricing or introduce only very small increases.

For reference, the iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099 in the US, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199. If Apple manages to avoid a noticeable price hike this year, the iPhone 18 Pro lineup could become more attractive for premium smartphone buyers who were worried about another steep jump in pricing.

Since only three months are remaining, more leaks about the iPhone 18 Pro are likely to follow. So, you can stay tuned to India Today Tech for all the updates.