Apple's next iPhone launch is now just a couple of months away, and anticipation is already building. The company is widely expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September, alongside its first foldable iPhone. While Apple has not officially confirmed any details, a series of leaks and industry reports have revealed what could be in store.
From larger batteries and the new A20 Pro chipset to camera enhancements, subtle design refinements, fresh colour options and a possible price hike, here's a roundup of everything expected from the iPhone 18 Pro.
IPHONE 18 PRO EXPECTED INDIA LAUNCH TIMELINE
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max during its annual September launch event. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the keynote could take place on either Tuesday, September 8, or Wednesday, September 9, 2026, with September 9 considered the more likely date to accommodate international media following the US Labor Day holiday.
Retail availability and the first deliveries are expected to begin on Friday, September 18, 2026.
The spotlight is currently on the Pro lineup because reports suggest Apple may stagger its iPhone launches this year. The standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and the next-generation iPhone Air are reportedly expected to debut in early 2027, while the September event will focus on the Pro models and Apple's first foldable iPhone.
DESIGN AND COLOUR OPTIONS
The iPhone 18 Pro is not expected to receive a major design overhaul. Most reports indicate that Apple will retain its signature flat-edged chassis and triple rear camera layout while making subtle refinements to the overall appearance.
Leaks suggest the rear panel could feature a more seamless finish, reducing the two-tone look seen on current Pro models. The camera module is also expected to become slightly larger, while supplier reports indicate the devices may be marginally thicker to accommodate larger batteries and an upgraded vapour chamber cooling system.
In terms of colours, Apple is rumoured to introduce a new Dark Cherry finish as the flagship colour for this generation. Other reported options include Light Blue, Silver and Dark Grey, although the final lineup could change before launch.
DISPLAY UPGRADES
Apple is expected to retain the existing display sizes, with the iPhone 18 Pro featuring a 6.3-inch screen and the Pro Max sporting a 6.9-inch display.
The most noticeable change may come with the Dynamic Island. Multiple reports suggest Apple is working on reducing its size by moving some Face ID components beneath the display. While some leaks claim under-display Face ID could finally make its debut this year, others suggest Apple will simply shrink the cut-out rather than eliminate it entirely.
The Pro models are also expected to feature more efficient LTPO+ OLED panels, which could contribute to improved battery life.
A20 PRO CHIP AND PERFORMANCE
Powering the iPhone 18 Pro lineup is expected to be Apple's new A20 Pro processor, manufactured using TSMC's advanced 2-nanometre process.
The new chipset is expected to deliver improved performance, better gaming capabilities, enhanced power efficiency and significantly stronger on-device artificial intelligence processing.
BATTERY IMPROVEMENTS
Battery life is tipped to be one of the biggest upgrades in this year's Pro lineup.
Recent reports suggest the iPhone 18 Pro Max could feature a battery capacity ranging between 5,391mAh and 5,567mAh, with some tipsters claiming Apple may include a 5,500mAh battery.
Some reports also indicate that battery capacities may vary depending on the market and whether the device supports a physical SIM card or is sold as an eSIM-only model.
The larger batteries are expected to make the phones slightly thicker and heavier, with the Pro Max reportedly weighing around 240 grams.
CAMERA ENHANCEMENTS
Apple is expected to retain its triple 48-megapixel rear camera setup while introducing several hardware improvements.
The primary camera is rumoured to feature a variable-aperture lens for improved control over depth of field and low-light photography. Reports also suggest a brighter telephoto camera, a new stacked image sensor and an upgraded 24-megapixel front-facing camera across most models in the lineup.
The Camera Control button may also receive an update, with Apple reportedly switching to a fully pressure-sensitive mechanism instead of combining capacitive and pressure-based controls.
CONNECTIVITY
On the connectivity front, the iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to feature Apple's next-generation C2 modem, promising faster data speeds and improved power efficiency.
Reports also indicate that Apple could expand satellite connectivity beyond the current emergency messaging capabilities.
AI AND SOFTWARE
The iPhone 18 Pro lineup is expected to ship with iOS 27 out of the box, bringing an upgraded version of Siri along with Apple's latest artificial intelligence features.
EXPECTED INDIA PRICE
Pricing is expected to be one of the biggest talking points this year. Reports suggest Apple's production costs have increased due to the transition to a 2nm chipset, more expensive memory, larger batteries and upgraded camera hardware. Some estimates indicate that certain storage variants could become as much as $200 more expensive.
In India, reports suggest Apple may increase the prices of the Pro models by around Rs 5,000. If that happens, the iPhone 18 Pro could start at approximately Rs 1,39,900, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max may carry a starting price of around Rs 1,54,900.
