The iPhone 18 Pro is shaping up to be a modest update rather than a major redesign, according to recent reporting from Mark Gurman. In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says the upcoming Pro models will represent minor tweaks over the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max.
If accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro would follow a familiar pattern in Apple’s release cycle. Instead of introducing a bold new look, Apple may focus on refining performance, battery life, and camera capabilities. That makes this year’s Pro lineup feel closer to a classic “S” generation, where internal upgrades take priority over visible changes.
Under the hood, the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to feature Apple’s new A20 chip. The next generation silicon should deliver faster performance and improved power efficiency compared to the previous model. A custom C2 modem is also rumored, potentially improving 5G connectivity, signal stability, and overall battery performance.
One of the more notable hardware changes could be a new variable aperture camera system. This would allow the iPhone 18 Pro to dynamically adjust how much light enters the lens, improving low light photography and offering better depth control in portrait shots. Some reports also mention under display Face ID sensors, though Apple has not confirmed this.
Battery life is expected to be a key selling point for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. Reports suggest the standard Pro model could increase from 3,582 mAh to around 4,252 mAh. The iPhone 18 Pro Max may reach approximately 5,088 mAh, potentially making it the first Pro Max model to exceed the 5,000 mAh mark. Larger batteries combined with the efficiency gains from the A20 chip could translate into longer real world usage.
Software improvements in iOS 27 are also rumored to enhance iPhone 18 Pro battery life. Apple is said to be reworking portions of the operating system to reduce unnecessary background activity. Changes to Neural Engine task management and a revised re-indexing process after updates could help prevent the heavy battery drain users often experience in the first 48 hours after installing a major iOS release.
iOS 27 is also expected to significantly upgrade Siri with more advanced AI capabilities. Reports suggest Apple is investing in larger scale AI models to make Siri more conversational and capable of handling complex requests. Beyond AI, the broader focus of iOS 27 appears to be performance optimization and improved efficiency across compatible devices.
Despite these upgrades, the iPhone 18 Pro may not be the headline device at Apple’s fall event. Apple’s long rumored foldable iPhone could take center stage if it launches in 2026. The foldable is expected to feature a large inner display, a secondary outer screen, and high end internal hardware, potentially overshadowing the more iterative Pro models.
(via Bloomberg)
