Leaked iPhone 18 Pro Specifications Reveal Key Upgrades and Price Hike
Apple is widely rumoured to announce its new iPhone lineup on September 9, with the next iPhone Pro model potentially only weeks away. While the company has not officially confirmed the launch date or specifications, a series of leaks has provided a detailed look at the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and how it compares to last year's iPhone 17 Pro.
The leaked details suggest that Apple is not planning a major visual overhaul for this generation. Instead, the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to focus on incremental improvements in everyday usability, including performance, camera capabilities, connectivity, and battery efficiency. However, these updates may come with a catch, as reports indicate the new Pro model could cost significantly more than its predecessor.
Familiar Design with Minor Adjustments
Those expecting a complete redesign of the Pro lineup may find the iPhone 18 Pro highly familiar. The device is expected to retain the 6.3-inch form factor and the prominent camera plateau introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro. Apple is also tipped to continue using an aluminium frame, which replaced titanium in the previous generation.
Minor physical changes may include adjustments to the device's thickness and new colour options. The iPhone 18 Pro is reportedly planned to launch in four colours, including a new Deep Red option. In comparison, the iPhone 17 Pro was available in three colours, including Cosmic Orange.
On the front, Apple may reduce the size of the Face ID hardware, which could result in a smaller Dynamic Island cutout. However, leaks remain divided on whether this hardware change will be ready in time for production. Additionally, the Camera Control button may be simplified, with reports suggesting Apple might remove gesture-based controls such as swipe-to-zoom.
A20 Pro Chip and Hardware Performance
While the exterior remains largely unchanged, the internal hardware is expected to receive a substantial upgrade. The iPhone 18 Pro is tipped to run on Apple's new A20 Pro chip, which is reportedly manufactured using TSMC's 2nm process. This marks a shift from the 3nm A19 Pro chip used in the iPhone 17 Pro.
The transition to a smaller manufacturing process is expected to improve both performance and power efficiency. Current leaks point to a potential 15 to 25 per cent increase in CPU performance. Alongside the new processor, the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to feature 12GB of RAM, up from the 8GB found in the iPhone 17 Pro. Storage options are expected to start at 256GB, with 512GB, 1TB, and potentially 2TB variants available.
Variable Aperture Camera and Battery Boost
Rather than increasing the megapixel count or adding more lenses, Apple is reportedly upgrading the mechanics of the main camera. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to feature a 48-megapixel main camera with a variable aperture ranging from f1.4 to f4.0, replacing the fixed f1.78 aperture of the iPhone 17 Pro. This change would allow for better light intake and adjustable depth of field.
The remaining camera hardware is expected to stay the same, including a 48-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 48-megapixel 4x telephoto camera, and an 18-megapixel front-facing camera. Earlier rumours of a 200-megapixel Samsung-made sensor are no longer expected to materialise for this model.
Battery capacities are also set for a slight increase. Certification details point to a 4,056mAh battery for the global model and a 4,288mAh battery for the US eSIM-only version. This is a modest rise from the 3,988mAh and 4,252mAh capacities of the iPhone 17 Pro. Charging speeds are expected to remain at 40W for wired connections and 25W for MagSafe wireless charging.
Connectivity Shifts and Pricing Pressure
Connectivity is another area of divergence. Apple is reportedly preparing to deploy its own C2 modem in some markets, while continuing to use Qualcomm modems in the US to support mmWave 5G. The iPhone 18 Pro is also rumoured to introduce 5G satellite internet capabilities, expanding beyond the emergency-only satellite features currently offered.
The most significant hurdle for buyers may be the price. Due to rising memory and component costs, the iPhone 18 Pro is leaked to start at approximately $1,300, representing a $200 increase over the $1,100 starting price of the iPhone 17 Pro. This price hike may make the device a harder upgrade to justify for current iPhone 17 Pro users, especially with rumours pointing toward a more substantial redesign for the iPhone's 20th anniversary in 2027.
