iPhone 18

All about iPhone 18

Apple revealed the iPhone 17 lineup in September 2025 with an iPhone Air that replaced the "Plus" model and a redesigned iPhone 17 Pro. While the iPhone 18 lineup is expected to look nearly identical to the iPhone 17 models it replaces, there is a key change in the release cycle.

Rumors suggest that Apple could shift the iPhone releases to twice a year. The iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Fold are expected in September 2026, then iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e in the spring of 2027.

The iPhone Air didn't get a number, so it will likely fall on its own release schedule and may flip flop with the iPhone Fold. It is also rumored to become another spring iPhone.

All eyes will be on Apple Intelligence and how it evolves in 2026 with Gemini acting as the new foundation for Apple Foundation Models. The LLM-based Siri is expected to debut in the spring and the iPhone 18 lineup will likely be marketed around the more powerful assistant.

iPhone 18 features

The A20 processor could be the star of the show given other external updates will be limited. It will be faster and more efficient thanks to being built on TSMC's 2nm process.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a camera bar instead of a camera bump

There won't be much else to say on the chip until it is closer to release. Estimated benchmarks suggest it will be a powerful chipset, but nothing will be known until something is announced.

Bezels are expected to keep shrinking or even disappear entirely. However, rumors of a bezel-less display fell off after a potential supply chain snag in development.

The potential for under-display Face ID has returned thanks to a rumor from display supply chain vet Ross Young. It seems Apple could have the technology ready for the 2026 iPhone, but the selfie camera would remain above the display.

Jon Prosser reappeared in January 2026 in spite of an ongoing lawsuit against him for stealing industry secrets from Apple. He shared a video suggesting that the selfie camera would move to the corner of the iPhone if the Face ID components move under the display.

One of the biggest customer-facing upgrades will be to the Main Camera system. It is expected to get a variable aperture, which means users will be able to control the focus and bokeh using a physical lens element.

Expect a C-series modem to be used in iPhone 18, perhaps the C2, and for it to offer mmWave 5G. It should also get Apple's in-house Wi-Fi 7 chip.

Analyst Jeff Pu, who has a middling history with decent leaks but poor interpretations, shared a table of expected features for the fall iPhones. There's nothing surprising here, but it collects multiple rumored specs into one location.

The suggestion that the iPhone Fold won't get Face ID isn't new, but it being repeated more often recently is a sign that it may be accurate.

iPhone 18 release date and price

Apple is expected to maintain prices year-over-year for the iPhone 18 models. The iPhone Fold could start at $1,999.

If the iPhone Fold does launch in the fall of 2026, it will likely mean the split release cycle will occur and the standard iPhone won't be revealed until the spring of 2027. If it doesn't launch, then expect a normal fall with the three iPhone 18 models announced at the same time.