iPhone 18 Pro & Foldable iPhone Rumors: Everything You Need to Know!

Three Models in Fall, Three Early Next Year?

It is widely believed that the standard iPhone 18 will not make its debut in September. Apple plans to alter its usual schedule due to the introduction of the foldable iPhone. With a lineup that includes six models, a phased launch could help ease the pressure on the production chain and boost sales of the more expensive models during the holiday season.

Numerous sources have confirmed this delayed launch, which is also supported by leaks from earlier this year. These leaks have primarily mentioned the Pro models and the foldable iPhone, potentially dubbed the iPhone Ultra. Thus, the September Apple Event is expected to showcase the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the iPhone Ultra, with the latter possibly hitting the shelves a few weeks later in limited quantities initially. The other models, including the iPhone 18 standard, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2, are anticipated to be launched around February or March 2027.

The Foldable iPhone

This year, Apple is entering the foldable smartphone market with a high-end model that is expected to cost even more than the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, potentially exceeding €2,000. The main features of its design have already been spotted among the prototypes used by accessory makers to prepare their cases. The device would be notably compact when folded, featuring a 5.4″ diagonal screen similar to the discontinued iPhone mini, but with a different aspect ratio, being shorter and wider. The internal display would measure 7.7″ (compared to 6.9″ for today’s iPhone 17 Pro Max).

The fold of the internal screen would be nearly invisible, though still perceptible to touch, and the hinge might be made from LiquidMetal. The structure would be exceptionally durable, composed of aluminum and titanium, thin when unfolded (5.5 mm compared to 5.64 mm for the iPhone Air) but quite thick when folded (11 mm excluding the cameras, versus 8.75 mm for the iPhone 18 Pro).

At the back, there would be just two cameras, likely a wide-angle and an ultra-wide-angle, without the telephoto lens that remains exclusive to the Pro models. Unfolded, the foldable iPhone would be thinner than the iPhone Air, and the chassis would not accommodate Face ID, hence it would likely feature the Touch ID fingerprint sensor on the side button. It would have a webcam on each screen, probably centered on the external screen and in the upper left corner on the internal screen.

Additionally, expect advancements largely similar to those of the iPhone 18 Pro, including an A20 chip for better energy efficiency, the Apple C2 modem supporting both mmWave and satellite 5G, and the Apple N2 chip for more effective wireless connectivity. Like the iPhone Air, the foldable iPhone would likely only support eSIM and lack a SIM card tray.

The iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max

Following a minor redesign last year, there are no major changes expected for the chassis of the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max this year. However, the new models should be easily recognizable by their larger camera lenses, possibly by a less contrasting tint on the lower part of the glass, and by a new range of colors for the aluminum: silver, black, light blue, and cherry purple.

Another notable visual update is a 25% reduction in the width of the Dynamic Island, achieved by integrating some sensors under the pixels of the OLED display. There were rumors of a shift to the left corner of the screen, but this will not be the case; it’s the invisible sensors that would be off-centered, not the Dynamic Island, which would remain in its usual place. The screen borders are expected to maintain the same thickness as before. Regarding the buttons, Apple might simplify the camera control by removing its touch capability.

The iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max are set to receive significant upgrades to their wide-angle cameras, introducing a mechanical aperture for the first time that can vary the amount of light hitting the larger sensor, primarily in low-light conditions. This upgrade might be accompanied by a new “Pro” mode for the iOS Camera app.

These Pro models will also feature new generations of chips, including the A20 Pro chip, the first to be manufactured at an equivalent of 2 nanometers by TSMC, enhancing energy efficiency. They are expected to come with more efficient 12GB RAM. These models would also switch to the Apple C2 modem which would enhance cellular performance and significantly improve battery life compared to the previous Qualcomm modem. This would also likely support satellite 5G. Apple is also expected to include its N2 chip which would enhance Wi-Fi 7 performance, and support NFC 15 standard that increases signal range from 0.5 to 2 centimeters.

Whether or not the SIM card tray will remain on models sold in France is still up in the air. It is possible that these models will exclusively use eSIMs, as is already the case in some countries like the USA. This change could cause configuration difficulties with some carriers, but the upside is that models without a SIM tray can accommodate a larger battery, thus offering better battery life.

As for pricing, the industry is facing a RAM and storage crisis, pushing costs higher. Apple is striving to keep entry-level configuration prices unchanged, but it wouldn’t be surprising if higher storage models see a price increase.

What’s Next?

In early 2027, the iPhone 18e, iPhone 18, and iPhone Air 2 are expected to follow, incorporating some of the advancements from the higher-end models. Details on these models are still sparse at this stage. Among the more persistent rumors, the iPhone 18 is expected to come with 12GB of RAM (up from 8GB for the iPhone 17), and the iPhone Air 2 would include a second camera.

Looking further ahead, numerous rumors are already focusing on September 2027, marking the twentieth anniversary of the iPhone. Apple might celebrate this milestone with a new, even higher-end model featuring a display curved on all four sides, with no visible cutouts for the front sensors, which would completely disappear. However, this model would likely not be the iPhone 19 Pro but something even more expensive.