The iPhone season is almost here. For the past few years, we have seen Apple unveil its next generation of iPhones in the first half of September, and this time around, we expect the company to continue the tradition. Of course, Apple is still tight-lipped about what is coming and has not yet revealed the final date, but the rumours have already started pouring in. And if they are anything to go by, the iPhone 18 Pro line-up is shaping up to be the highlight of Apple’s next iPhone generation — but at a cost.
According to the latest reports and speculation, the ongoing RAM crisis and memory shortage are putting pressure on Apple and could push the price of the iPhone 18 Pro higher than what it asked for the iPhone 17 Pro. But don’t worry. Along with the price hike, the iPhone maker is also said to be working on some meaningful upgrades to its flagship, so you may not feel the pain of swiping your card.
So, what could be coming? This time for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, there could be more than just a new chip and a camera upgrade. Here are five major features expected on the iPhone 18 Pro series.
iPhone 18 Pro rumoured chipset
The biggest upgrade could be hiding under the hood. The iPhone 18 Pro is tipped to be powered by Apple’s new A20 Pro chip, reportedly built using TSMC’s 2nm process. The 2nm chip is also said to be one of the reasons Apple might ask you to pay more for the iPhone 18 Pro series.
On the performance side, the smaller manufacturing process is expected to bring improvements in both performance and power efficiency. Some leaks suggest the new chip could offer around 15 per cent better performance and up to 30 per cent improved efficiency compared with the previous generation.
iPhone 18 Pro could get a smaller Dynamic Island
Another big update we are expecting is a smaller Dynamic Island. Reports suggest Apple is working on a reduced version of the cut-out, with some leaks claiming it could be up to 35 per cent narrower.
The change would not completely remove the Dynamic Island, but it could give the iPhone 18 Pro a cleaner-looking display, with more screen space around the camera and sensors.
iPhone 18 Pro display and battery upgrades
On the front, Apple is also expected to improve the display without changing the screen sizes dramatically. The iPhone 18 Pro could continue with a 6.3-inch display, while the Pro Max could retain its 6.9-inch panel.
The new models are tipped to feature brighter and more efficient LTPO+ displays. The Pro Max could also get a larger battery, with leaks pointing to a capacity above 5,000mAh. One report has even claimed a 5,500mAh battery for the Chinese version.
Variable-aperture camera in iPhone 18 Pro series?
The camera could be another big change. Apple is reportedly testing a variable-aperture system for the 48-megapixel main camera on the Pro models.
In simple terms, this could allow the camera to control how much light enters the lens, potentially improving photos in different lighting conditions while also giving users more control over depth of field.
Reports have also pointed to a new Samsung three-layer stacked sensor, which could further improve the camera hardware.
iPhone 18 may feature C2 modem and expanded satellite features
Apple could also take another step towards reducing its dependence on third-party modem technology. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to feature Apple’s C2 modem, which could bring improvements in connectivity and efficiency.
Satellite connectivity could also become more capable, with Apple reportedly looking to expand it beyond the emergency-focused features available on current iPhones.
iPhone 18 Pro price could be higher in India
Now, let’s talk about the part that is likely to matter most to Indian buyers: the price.
There are already a few different price figures doing the rounds. One leak suggests the iPhone 18 Pro could start at around Rs 1,39,900, which would be Rs 5,000 more than the iPhone 17 Pro’s launch price of Rs 1,34,900. Other reports suggest the hike could be bigger, with prices potentially going up by Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 depending on the model and storage.
There are also whispers that the 256GB iPhone 18 Pro could cost around Rs 1,44,900, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max could start at around Rs 1,54,900.
The possible price hike comes as memory prices rise amid strong demand from the AI industry. Counterpoint Research has also estimated that Apple’s component costs could increase significantly for the iPhone 18 Pro range, although that does not necessarily mean Apple will pass the entire increase on to buyers.
Do note that for now, these prices and features remain rumours. But if the reports are accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro could arrive with a higher price tag, and Apple will need to make those upgrades count.
