Apple’s next iPhone event is now less than 10 days away. The company has confirmed that its major September event will take place on September 9, where the iPhone 18 Pro series is expected to be unveiled alongside Apple’s first foldable iPhone and other products. The event will begin at 10:30 PM IST.
While Apple has not revealed any specifications or prices for the iPhone 18 Pro, a steady stream of leaks has given us a rough idea of what could change compared with last year’s iPhone 17 Pro. A larger battery, a new 2nm chip and a redesigned camera system are among the biggest expected upgrades.
iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro: Leaked changes
The iPhone 17 Pro starts at Rs 1,34,900 in India for the 256GB model. Apple currently lists the phone at the same starting price on its India store. For the iPhone 18 Pro, leaks suggest Apple could raise the starting price to around Rs 1,39,900 in India. This would represent a Rs 5,000 increase over the iPhone 17 Pro. However, the price has not been confirmed by Apple and should be treated as an estimate.
The bigger changes are expected inside the phone.
Chip
The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to be powered by the A20 Pro, which could become Apple’s first smartphone processor built using a 2nm manufacturing process. The smaller process could deliver better performance while using power more efficiently. That could be particularly useful for demanding tasks such as gaming and AI processing, without putting as much pressure on battery life. The 17 Pro offers Apple’s A19 Pro chipset under the hood.
The new chip may also be paired with Apple’s C2 modem, the company’s next-generation in-house 5G modem. Apple has been gradually reducing its dependence on Qualcomm modems, and the C2 could bring improvements in connectivity and power efficiency.
Battery, display
Battery life could also get a significant boost. Leaks suggest the iPhone 18 Pro Max could feature a battery of up to 5,425mAh in the US version, compared with a reported 5,088mAh battery on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Models with a physical SIM slot could reportedly get a slightly smaller 5,235mAh unit. The gains may not come from battery capacity alone. Apple is also expected to introduce LTPO+ display technology, which could make the OLED panel more power efficient.
Camera
Apple may finally move away from the fixed aperture used on its Pro iPhone main cameras. The iPhone 18 Pro generation is rumoured to introduce a variable-aperture main camera, allowing the lens to control how much light enters.
For users, this could mean greater control over photos, including background blur and how much of a scene remains in focus. A Sony IMX905 sensor with variable-aperture support has been linked to the iPhone 18 Pro Max, although it is unclear whether the smaller Pro model will get identical hardware. Apple could also simplify the touch-sensitive functions of the Camera Control button introduced with the iPhone 16 series.
Satellite connectivity
Another reported upgrade is satellite connectivity. Apple already uses satellites for emergency communication and selected services, but future iPhones could potentially support more extensive satellite-based internet connectivity. If ready, the technology could allow users to stay connected in areas without conventional cellular coverage. Its actual availability, however, would depend on satellite infrastructure and local network support.
Overall, the iPhone 18 Pro looks set to be more than a routine processor upgrade. Compared with the iPhone 17 Pro, Apple could bring changes to the chip, modem, battery, display and camera system. The expected price increase may also make the new Pro model more expensive for Indian buyers.
