Jakarta, SERU.co.id – Apple is reportedly planning no significant design overhaul for its next-generation flagship smartphones. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to look nearly identical to their predecessors, the iPhone 17 series. However, the company is said to be preparing substantial improvements in performance, camera technology, and battery life.
According to Fixed Focus Digital, Apple is extremely satisfied with the iPhone 17 lineup—so much so that the company reportedly held internal celebrations for its success. As a result, the iPhone 18 series is claimed to maintain the same design language, shifting focus toward enhancing processing power, imaging capabilities, and endurance.
A20 Chip: The Biggest Performance Leap
Citing Forbes, sources indicate Apple is preparing a major generational jump with the A20 and A20 Pro chips. These processors are expected to deliver the most significant upgrades in the iPhone 18 lineup, particularly in speed and power efficiency.
For the iPhone 18 Pro Max specifically, the A20 Pro will reportedly be manufactured on a cutting-edge 2nm fabrication process. This advancement is anticipated to dramatically improve energy efficiency compared to previous generations, potentially extending battery life and reducing heat during intensive tasks.
First Variable Aperture Camera on an iPhone
Camera enhancements are a core focus for the iPhone 18 Pro models. Leakers Digital Chat Station and renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claim Apple is developing a main camera with variable aperture technology for both the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.
This feature allows the lens aperture to dynamically adjust based on lighting conditions—opening wider in low light for brighter images and narrowing in bright environments for sharper detail and reduced overexposure..
If implemented, this will mark Apple’s first use of variable aperture, though the technology has appeared on several high-end Android devices (e.g., Xiaomi, Huawei, and Sony Xperia models). Apple’s version is rumored to be more refined, with deeper integration into iOS computational photography, potentially offering superior consistency and post-processing advantages.
Upgraded Telephoto Lens with Wider Aperture
In addition to the main sensor, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to feature a new telephoto lens with a larger fixed aperture.
While it won’t include variable aperture, the wider opening should capture more light, directly improving low-light performance and reducing noise in zoomed shots.
Larger Battery and Slightly Thicker Body
Battery life is poised for a notable boost, especially on the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Tipster Digital Chat Station reports capacities of around 5,000mAh for physical SIM variants and up to 5,200mAh for eSIM-only models.
As a trade-off, the Pro Max is rumored to have a slightly thicker chassis compared to the iPhone 17 Pro Max (which offered 4,823mAh physical SIM / 5,088mAh eSIM and up to 39 hours of usage). The iPhone 18 Pro Max is projected to exceed 40 hours of real-world battery life.
Complementing the larger cell, the top model will reportedly include a new C2 modem for improved connectivity efficiency. These combined changes address a common user complaint about flagship battery life while navigating the physical constraints of slim designs.
Release Timeline
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to launch in the second half of 2026. They may debut alongside Apple’s rumored first foldable iPhone, which is also said to feature a large-capacity battery.
Although these details remain rumors and subject to change, the overall direction suggests Apple is adopting an evolutionary strategy: preserving a winning design while delivering meaningful internal advancements. It also allows Apple to allocate resources toward emerging technologies like foldables and AI integration.
