APPLE

iPhone 18 Pro (Max): More of the same

The launch of the iPhone 18 Pro line is approaching, and several sources have already indicated some changes we should see in the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max compared to their predecessors.

The first novelty should be the new Dark Cherry color for the entire line, followed by the new physical Camera Control button instead of a capacitive (touch-sensitive) one.

The change in this element reflects the price of other iPhone 18 Pro components, such as RAM, which have become more expensive this year, forcing Apple to reduce manufacturing costs on other items to avoid raising the price of the phone.

Speaking of the camera, the iPhone 18 Pro should have a new 48-megapixel main camera with variable aperture, which will give the user greater control in Pro mode and increase photo and video performance in different lighting conditions.

Moving on to the screen, ftp claims that the iPhone 18 will have a Dynamic Island display that is 25% smaller, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max battery will increase in capacity from 4,823mAh to 5,200mAh.

There have been talks of a small redesign for the front of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. None of it is official, but there are numerous reports that all but confirm the design change, and that’s to do with the dynamic island. It is going to be much smaller than the current generation. A credible leaker has now shared, with confidence, what the final design for the iPhone 18 Pro will be.

The leaker in question is Jon Prosser from fpt (Front Page Tech), who, in his latest YouTube video, showed off what he believes is the final design for the iPhone 18 Pro. It shows a small dynamic island that is said to be around 25% smaller than the iPhone 17 Pro. That’s about all the redesign entails for the front of the phone.

The leaker also reiterates that variable aperture will be coming to the primary sensor on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. The new Dark Cherry color will be part of the lineup, in line with previous leaks, and the Camera Control button will be nerfed due to budget constraints. It will be only pressure sensitive without the capacitive element.

Lastly, Prosser mentions that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a larger 5,200 mAh battery, and both the Pro models will come with the new C2 modem, along with 5G via satellite.

Recently, it was reported that while there will be several updates coming with the iPhone 18 series, the build, however, will remain the same. Apple is said to be sticking with aluminum for this upcoming generation, which is a bit disappointing considering the durability issues.

Maintaining a feature criticized by users... Apple plans to keep the controversial aluminum finish on the iPhone 18 Pro, which goes against market expectations, as many users have complained about the fragility of the material in the current generation. The one-piece, hot-forged design introduced in the iPhone 17 Pro has caused headaches for buyers of the brand, as the casing scratches and peels very easily with daily use.

An informant known on the social network Weibo by the nickname Fixed Focus Digital revealed that, although paint wear has become a fairly common complaint, Apple refuses most repair requests on the grounds that the problem is just a normal characteristic of wear and tear on the aluminum alloy. In addition, the manufacturer will maintain this design approach in the next generation of premium cell phones.

The company abandoned titanium frames last year to return to using aluminum, now in a single body of anodized metal. Durability problems appeared soon after launch, because the dark blue and cosmic orange versions scratch much more easily than the other options. The rear camera assembly proved to be the weakest point of the entire design, as the raised, unpolished edges quickly peel off upon contact with keys and coins in a pocket.

Another visual flaw emerged weeks after its market debut, when some units of the orange model began to change color on their own. The device's frame unexpectedly adopted a pinkish hue, forcing the brand's technical support to replace the affected phones.

New colors on the way...Recent rumors indicate that the iPhone 18 Pro will arrive on the market in four color options: dark cherry, light blue, dark gray, and silver. The cherry color is expected to be the highlight of the new generation, as it offers a more muted and discreet wine tone than the flashy orange of the previous year. According to rumors, Apple is not expected to offer a black version for the second consecutive year, but the gray variant promises to deliver a very similar alternative for fans of dark tones.

The official announcement of the iPhone 18 Pro line is expected to take place in September 2026. The presentation will also serve as the stage for the highly anticipated unveiling of Apple's first foldable phone in history.

mundophone