Apple iPhone 18 Pro could bring new colours, A20 Pro chip and camera upgrades: Report
Apple is reportedly gearing up to unveil its next-generation flagship smartphones later this year. While much of the spotlight has been on the long-rumoured foldable iPhone, fresh leaks suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro lineup could introduce significant refinements across design, performance, connectivity, and battery life.
Here’s a detailed look at what early reports are revealing about the upcoming premium devices.
Expanded Colour Options
One of the most noticeable changes could arrive in the form of new finishes. After transitioning from aluminium to titanium in recent Pro models, Apple gained more flexibility in delivering richer and more premium-looking colours.
According to a Weibo-based tipster, the iPhone 18 Pro range may introduce three new colour options:
Brown
Purple
Burgundy
If these reports prove accurate, this would represent one of the most diverse colour palettes seen on a Pro model to date. Interestingly, the same source suggests that black may once again be missing from the lineup, despite historically being one of the most popular choices among buyers.
As with all early leaks, these details remain subject to change.
A Smaller Dynamic Island
The Dynamic Island, first introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro, has maintained similar dimensions across subsequent models. However, reports suggest that Apple could slightly reduce its size this year.
The change may be made possible by relocating certain Face ID components beneath the display. Earlier rumours hinted at a potential shift toward a hole-punch design, but more recent information indicates that the Dynamic Island will remain just in a more compact form.
A smaller cut-out could allow for a cleaner display experience while retaining Apple’s interactive notification system.
Camera Upgrades in Focus
Photography improvements are expected to play a central role in the iPhone 18 Pro lineup.
Upgraded Telephoto Lens
Both Pro variants are rumoured to receive a telephoto lens with a wider aperture than the current f/2.8 setup. A wider aperture would:
Allow more light into the sensor
Improve low-light performance
Enhance natural depth effects
This could significantly improve zoom photography, particularly in challenging lighting conditions.
Variable Aperture for Pro Max
Apple is also reportedly exploring a variable aperture system for the main camera on the iPhone 18 Pro Max. If implemented, users would be able to adjust depth of field more precisely in bright conditions.
Such a feature would offer greater creative flexibility without relying solely on computational photography, moving the iPhone closer to professional camera functionality.
Apple’s Next-Generation C2 Modem
The iPhone 18 series could see wider adoption of Apple’s in-house modem technology. While Apple has introduced its own modem chips in select models before, broader rollout was limited due to earlier versions lacking full mmWave 5G support.
The anticipated C2 modem is expected to:
Support faster 5G standards
Improve energy efficiency
Enhance overall connectivity
Additionally, there are suggestions that the C2 modem may expand satellite capabilities to allow full data access in areas without traditional mobile coverage. Currently, satellite connectivity on iPhones is largely limited to emergency services and text-based communication.
If true, this could mark a major step forward in off-grid communication.
A20 Pro Chip Built on 2nm Process
Performance improvements are also expected to be substantial. Apple is widely tipped to introduce the A20 Pro chip with the iPhone 18 Pro models.
The processor is believed to be built on a 2-nanometre manufacturing process for the first time. This shift could deliver:
Higher processing speeds
Better power efficiency
Improved thermal performance
Apple may also introduce a next-generation networking chip, tentatively referred to as N2, though details remain limited.
The move to 2nm manufacturing could represent one of the biggest performance leaps in recent iPhone history.
Slightly Larger Battery
Battery capacity is also reportedly increasing, particularly for the Pro Max variant.
Early reports suggest the iPhone 18 Pro Max may feature a 5,200mAh battery, compared to 5,088mAh in its predecessor. While the increase appears modest on paper, real-world battery life depends heavily on overall system efficiency.
Improvements from the A20 Pro chip and the new C2 modem could contribute significantly to longer usage times.
Final Thoughts
If these early leaks are accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro lineup could deliver meaningful upgrades rather than radical redesigns. With new colour options, a refined Dynamic Island, enhanced camera hardware, Apple’s next-generation C2 modem, the powerful A20 Pro chip built on a 2nm process, and improved battery capacity, the upcoming Pro models appear focused on refinement and performance optimization.
As always, until Apple officially unveils the devices, these details remain speculative but they paint an exciting picture of what may be coming next in Apple’s premium smartphone range.
