The iPhone 18 Pro is set to launch next week, and it is expected to deliver three major upgrades that have been the subject of rumors for years. Here is a closer look at what Apple is preparing to introduce across its next flagship lineup.
Variable aperture camera comes to iPhone 18 Pro
A variable aperture camera system for iPhone was first detailed more than two years ago, initially tied to the iPhone 17. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo later suggested the feature was instead planned for the iPhone 18 line, and the latest reporting supports that timeline.
Current information indicates the variable aperture technology will arrive on the Main camera, at least on the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and possibly on both Pro models. The feature could unlock a range of new photography capabilities, though its exact benefits will depend on Apple’s implementation, which will be revealed at the upcoming unveiling.
A smaller Dynamic Island and redesigned display cutout
Apple first introduced a display cutout with the notch on the iPhone X nearly a decade ago. The current Dynamic Island design arrived with the iPhone 14 Pro in 2022, reducing the size of that cutout. Four years later, the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to shrink it further.
Reports suggest the new Dynamic Island will be roughly 35% smaller than the current version. This change appears to be reflected in the updated look of Siri in iOS 27, which hints at the reduced footprint of the redesigned cutout.
Apple’s in-house C2 modem replaces Qualcomm
Apple’s efforts to build its own modem have been an open secret for years, but the first Apple-designed modem, the C1, only launched in an iPhone last year. For the iPhone 18 Pro, Apple is reportedly moving away from Qualcomm modems in favor of its next-generation C2 chip.
The C2 modem is expected to deliver speed gains over the C1 and C1X, along with the improved efficiency and privacy advantages associated with Apple’s in-house modem designs. All three of these upgrades are expected to be detailed when the iPhone 18 Pro is officially announced next week.
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