Apple’s next big iPhone refresh is still nearly two years away, but early leaks have already begun shaping expectations for the iPhone 18 lineup—including the iPhone 18 Pro Max, the ultra-thin iPhone Air, and Apple’s first foldable iPhone.

A new report from reliable Weibo tipster Digital Chat Station sheds light on significant hardware upgrades and a surprising shift in Apple’s launch strategy.

Pro Models to Get New Form Factor, Variable Aperture & Larger Telephoto Lens

According to the leak, the iPhone 18 Pro series will feature an upgraded overall form factor, suggesting Apple may be preparing a noticeable design evolution beyond the iPhone 17 lineup.

One of the highlight upgrades is a variable aperture camera system, which could dramatically improve low-light performance and depth-of-field control.

The 48-megapixel periscope telephoto lens—introduced in the high-end iPhone models—is also tipped to receive a larger aperture, allowing for more light intake and better zoom photography. 

Staggered Launch Timeline: A Major Departure From Tradition

In a significant break from its usual launch pattern, Apple reportedly plans a staggered rollout for the iPhone 18 series.

As per the latest leaks:

  • iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, Air & iPhone Fold: Launching September 2026
  • iPhone 18 & iPhone 18e: Launching early 2027

This two-phase release is expected to help Apple streamline production of its advanced models—especially the foldable device and the new thin iPhone Air—before releasing the mainstream variants.

First 2nm Apple Chips to Power iPhone 18

The iPhone 18 Pro lineup, the Air model, and the foldable iPhone are all expected to debut Apple’s A20 chip, built on TSMC’s second-generation 2nm (N2) process.

These chips will reportedly:

  • Improve power efficiency
  • Reduce heat generation
  • Use a new Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) to integrate DRAM more tightly with the SoC
  • Optimise performance for Apple Intelligence (AI) tasks

The 2nm node will mark a major leap forward, ensuring the iPhone 18 Pro models offer significant real-world upgrades in speed, battery life, and thermal management.

Possible Transparent Back & Vapour Chamber Cooling

Apple may introduce a partially transparent back panel on the iPhone 18 Pro models—an uncharacteristically bold design move for the company.

This could expose internal elements like MagSafe coils, similar to the design language seen in some competitive Android devices.

Additionally, the models are expected to use stainless steel vapour chamber cooling, enhancing performance during prolonged gaming or AI-heavy tasks.

Display: Full-Screen vs. Smaller Dynamic Island — Conflicting Reports

Leaks are split on Apple’s display direction:

Leak 1 (More Futuristic):

  • iPhone 18 Pro: 6.27-inch LTPO OLED
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max: 6.86-inch LTPO OLED
  • 1.5K resolution
  • Uses HIAA technology, enabling under-display Face ID
  • Only the selfie camera remains visible → nearly bezel-less display

Leak 2 (More Conservative):

  • Apple may simply shrink the Dynamic Island, not remove it
  • The Dynamic Island remains a part of the design for another generation
  • The only certainty from multiple reports is that iPhone 16e will still not feature the Dynamic Island, making it the last non-Island model.

Release Date: 

The iPhone 18 series is expected to follow a staggered release timeline, marking a major shift from Apple’s traditional simultaneous iPhone launches.

According to recent leaks, Apple plans to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, the ultra-thin iPhone Air, and the company’s first foldable iPhone in September 2026.

These premium models will lead the lineup, while the standard iPhone 18 and the more affordable iPhone 18e are reportedly scheduled to launch in the first half of 2027.

This two-phase rollout is believed to help Apple streamline production of its advanced models—especially the Air and the foldable—before bringing the mainstream variants to market.