At a Glance
- Apple is set to launch the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max alongside a foldable iPhone, skipping a standard iPhone 18.
- The new models promise a faster A20 Pro chip, variable-aperture cameras, and a simplified camera-control button.
- A bold change would relocate the front camera from the center to the top left corner, a move that many see as un-Apple-like.
- Why it matters: These leaks shape expectations for Apple’s 2026 lineup and hint at the company’s long-term strategy for foldables and satellite connectivity.
Apple’s foldable strategy has been a subject of speculation for months. The company is expected to unveil a foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. According to a recent leak, Apple will skip a regular iPhone 18 release, pushing that model to a spring 2027 launch. The same source suggests the iPhone Air 2 may also be delayed until 2027 because of weak sales for the first-generation skinny phone.
iPhone 18 Pro Design Details
Jon Prosser, the YouTuber and leaker who Apple has sued for revealing iOS 26 and Liquid Glass, has released a detailed render of the iPhone 18 Pro. The design largely mirrors the iPhone 17 Pros but introduces new colors-burgundy, brown, and purple-as Apple reportedly tests them.
Prosser also notes that the device will feature a faster A20 Pro chip, which is expected to bring performance gains over the previous generation. The new models will be powered by a C2 modem rather than Qualcomm’s chipsets, aligning with Apple’s move toward in-house silicon.
Key Design Points
- Color options: burgundy, brown, purple
- Chipset: A20 Pro
- Modem: C2
- Launch timing: alongside foldable iPhone, no standard iPhone 18
Camera Innovations
The most talked-about feature in the leak is a variable aperture camera. This technology allows the lens to open and close to control light intake, enabling deeper or shallower background blur (bokeh). Samsung previously introduced this feature in the Galaxy S9 and S10 series, but it was removed from the S20 lineup due to limited adoption.
Prosser cautions that the variable-aperture feature may be exclusive to the iPhone 18 Pro Max or might not ship on any model at all. If it does make it to the market, it would mark a significant step toward professional-grade photography on iPhones.
Camera Control Button Simplification
Prosser claims the new iPhone 18 Pros will come with a simplified Camera Control button. The button will retain pressure-sensitivity but drop capacitive touch, potentially removing swipe-based shortcuts that were present on the iPhone 16, 17, and Air series.
| Feature | iPhone 16/17/Air | iPhone 18 Pro/Max |
|---|---|---|
| Capacitive touch | Yes | No |
| Pressure sensitivity | Yes | Yes |
| Swipe shortcuts | Yes | Potentially removed |
Modem and Connectivity
In addition to the C2 modem, the iPhone 18 Pros will support a 5G via Satellite feature. This mirrors a similar capability in Apple’s latest Apple Watch Ultra 3, which can send messages when cellular coverage is unavailable.
The inclusion of satellite connectivity could position the iPhone 18 Pro Max as a reliable communication device in remote areas, expanding Apple’s appeal to outdoor enthusiasts and professionals.
Front Camera Shift Controversy
Perhaps the most controversial claim is that the front camera will move from the top center to the top left corner of the display, near the Dynamic Island. Prosser’s render shows the selfie camera, dot projector, and infrared camera remaining centered in a smaller pill-shaped cutout, while the flood illuminator shifts to the top left.
This change would make the iPhone look more like a five-year-old Android device, such as the Google Pixel 5, which many Apple fans find un-Apple-like. A Twitter user, ShrimpApplePro, shared the render and added: “The selfie camera will move from the top center to the top left corner, which would be very un-Apple-like.”
Another tweet from @VNchocoTaco on January 20, 2026 highlighted the confusion: “Always western media messed up the info. It always has been like this.” The tweet suggests that the front camera might actually remain centered, but the flood illuminator could be relocated.
Leak Reliability and Future Speculation
Apple’s lawsuit against Jon Prosser underscores the company’s sensitivity to leaks. Prosser has previously been wrong about the Apple Watch Series 7’s flat-sided redesign, illustrating that even the most detailed leaks can be inaccurate.
Prosser’s latest render is likely to spark further speculation until Apple officially announces the lineup. The leak cycle is expected to pick up until September, which is about eight months from the tweet date. Until Apple releases official statements, the details remain unverified.
Takeaway
- The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to launch with a foldable counterpart, skipping a standard iPhone 18.
- Variable-aperture cameras and a simplified camera-control button are the most notable tech changes.
- The front camera shift remains controversial and may be a misunderstanding.
- Satellite connectivity and a C2 modem signal Apple’s push for self-contained, future-proof hardware.
Apple’s next generation will likely reshape expectations for smartphones in 2026, but only time will confirm which of these leaks become reality.
