Apple is reportedly preparing to shake up its smartphone lineup in a way we haven’t seen in years, moving toward a future where “islands” disappear and screens fold in half.
Below is a roundup of the most talked-about iPhone 18 rumors so far, based strictly on recent reports from multiple outlets.
iPhone 18 display sizes may stay the same, but the cutout might not
According to a leak shared by well-known tipster Digital Chat Station and reported by 9to5Mac, Apple is expected to keep screen sizes unchanged across the iPhone 18 lineup. That means the iPhone 18, iPhone Air 2, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max would match their predecessors in display size.
Where things get interesting is the display cutout.
The leak suggests that the standard iPhone 18 and the Air 2 will continue to use the familiar Dynamic Island. However, the Pro models may adopt a new cutout design altogether. While the exact look remains unclear, the language in the leak suggests Apple could be moving beyond a simple “smaller Dynamic Island.”
This aligns with earlier reporting from The Information, which previously suggested Apple was exploring a top-left punch-hole camera design as part of its long-term plan to hide Face ID under the display.
A20 pro chip, 12GB RAM, and a bigger push for on-device AI
Under the hood, the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to be a performance monster. Reports from analyst Jeff Pu indicate that the new A20 Pro chip will be built using a cutting-edge 2nm process.
To handle more advanced AI tasks, Apple is also rumored to be boosting the RAM to 12GB across the Pro and Foldable models. Connectivity is getting a major in-house upgrade too, with the debut of Apple’s own “C2” 5G modem and “N2” wireless chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.
Analysts say these upgrades are tied directly to Apple’s AI roadmap. The combination of the A20 Pro, new memory packaging (WMCM), and Apple’s N2 wireless chip is expected to support more advanced on-device AI features, including a smarter Siri.
Below is a spec table shared by Jeff Pu based on GF Securities data via 9TO5Mac.
| iPhone 18 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro Max | iPhone Fold | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch | Sep-26 | Sep-26 | Sep-26 |
| Display | 6.3″ | 6.9″ | 7.8″, Sub 5.3″ |
| Processor | A20 Pro, N2, WMCM | A20 Pro, N2, WMCM | A20 Pro, N2, WMCM |
| DRAM | LPD5 12GB | LPD5 12GB | LPD5 12GB |
| Front camera | 18MP, 6P | 18MP, 6P | 18MP (Folded), 18MP (Unfolded) |
| Rear camera | 48MP 7P VA, Periscope 48MP, 48MP 6P | 48MP 7P VA, Periscope 48MP, 48MP 6P | 48MP 7P, 48MP 6P |
| Face ID | Structured light, smaller Dynamic Island | Structured light, smaller Dynamic Island | None (Touch ID) |
| Casing | Aluminium | Aluminium | Titanium + Aluminium |
| BB | Apple C2 | Apple C2 | Apple C2 |
Siri gets a ‘Gemini’ brain
The brains inside your phone are getting an overhaul, too. Following the confirmed deal between Apple and Google, new details have emerged about how Gemini AI will supercharge Siri. A report from The Information gives us the inside scoop on how this unlikely partnership will work.
Crucially, Apple is keeping Siri distinctly its own. The report states:
“Apple can finetune Gemini on its own so that it responds to queries the way Apple prefers,” and that “AI answers don’t include any branding related to Google or Gemini.” Get ready for more helpful conversations, as “Siri will give more thorough conversational responses the way ChatGPT and Gemini do.”
Don’t expect all the new tricks at once, though. The report indicates some features will arrive this spring, but the most advanced ones won’t debut until showcased at Apple’s WWDC event in June.
DSLR-style cameras
For photography fans, the big news is the arrival of a “variable aperture” for the main rear camera. This would allow the lens to physically open and close, giving users control over light and depth of field similar to a professional DSLR camera. MacRumors also notes that the Pro Max might get slightly thicker, likely to accommodate a larger battery to power these new features.
iPhone Air 2 could trade thinness for better battery life
The rumored iPhone Air 2 is also drawing attention. A report cited by 9to5Mac says Apple is considering CoE (Color on Encapsulation) display technology for the device. This could make the screen thinner and brighter.
Rather than chasing extreme thinness, the report suggests Apple may use the saved space for a larger battery, a move likely to appeal to everyday users.
What about the foldable iPhone?
Several reports suggest that Apple may unveil its first foldable iPhone — often referred to as the “iPhone Fold” — alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in September. The device is rumored to feature a 7.8-inch internal display, a 5.3-inch outer screen, Touch ID instead of Face ID, and a titanium-aluminum body.
Still, even analysts warn Apple could delay it again if the design isn’t ready.
Launch timing: Pro models first, base models later
Most reports agree that Apple will likely unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September 2026, possibly alongside its long-rumored foldable iPhone.
The standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e, however, are widely expected to slip into 2027 as part of a revised release schedule.
While Apple’s plans are never final until launch day, the rumors for 2026 are converging on a clear strategy: give Pro users a radically cleaner display and major internal power, inject Siri with serious AI competence, and possibly, finally, take the wraps off a foldable iPhone.
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