Apple iPhone 18 Pro: Five Key Upgrades Leaked for 2026 Flagship

Apple's iPhone 18 Pro lineup is shaping up to be one of the most significant upgrades in recent years, with analyst Jeff Pu outlining five major changes that appear to be gaining industry consensus. While the foldable iPhone Fold may steal headlines, the traditional Pro models aren't being left behind.

Smaller Dynamic Island Marks Step Toward Notch-Free Future

The most visible change will likely be the reduced display cutout on the iPhone 18 Pro. Apple plans to relocate some Face ID components beneath the display, shrinking the Dynamic Island significantly. This represents an intermediate step toward Apple's ultimate goal of a completely notch-free iPhone display, which analysts suggest could arrive with the 2027 anniversary model.

Variable Aperture Brings Professional Camera Control

Photographers will welcome the addition of a variable aperture system to the iPhone 18 Pro's camera. This feature, already present on several Android flagships, allows users to control both light intake and depth of field more precisely. The variable aperture also enables creative effects like starbursts that were previously difficult to achieve on smartphones. While some manufacturers like Honor and Xiaomi have moved away from this technology, Huawei continues to use it across its flagship lineup.

Apple A20 Pro Leverages 2nm Process Technology

For the first time in years, Apple's next-generation processor will see a substantial efficiency boost thanks to a transition to 2nm manufacturing. Interestingly, Apple may not be first to market with this technology. Samsung's Exynos 2600, built on the same process, could debut in the Galaxy S26 series in late February. Qualcomm is also expected to release its 2nm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chipset this fall, manufactured by TSMC.

Apple N2 Enhances Connectivity Capabilities

The iPhone 18 Pro will also receive an upgraded Apple N2 chip, succeeding the N1 that currently handles WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6 connectivity in the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air. While specific improvements remain unknown, the N2 is expected to further enhance wireless performance and capabilities.

Second-Generation Apple C2 Modem Promises Better Performance

Apple's in-house 5G modem development continues with the C2, which could potentially outperform Qualcomm's offerings. The first Apple C1 modem, introduced in the iPhone 16e, prioritized efficiency over speed but still lagged behind competitors. The C1X in the iPhone Air represented a significant improvement, doubling the speed of the C1 according to Apple's claims.

These upgrades suggest Apple is taking a comprehensive approach to improving its flagship device, addressing everything from the most visible design elements to the underlying hardware that powers the iPhone experience. With the expected September launch still months away, additional details will likely emerge as development progresses.