iPhone 18 Pro roundup: Smaller Dynamic Island, Dark Cherry finish, new chip, and more

Apple is still months away from unveiling the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, but rumors are already painting a picture of what could be one of the biggest Pro upgrades in years.

While the overall design is expected to stay similar to the iPhone 17 Pro, Apple is reportedly working on a number of refinements, including a smaller Dynamic Island, under-display Face ID technology, new color finishes, and a more powerful A20 Pro chip.

One of the biggest rumored changes is to the front of the phone. Several reports suggest Apple is testing under-display Face ID for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, which would allow some of the Face ID hardware to sit beneath the display instead of inside the Dynamic Island.

Apple is reportedly considering two approaches: one with a smaller Dynamic Island and another that keeps the current front design mostly unchanged while more components move under the screen.

Most recent reports suggest Apple will not get rid of the Dynamic Island entirely just yet, but instead make it significantly smaller. One leaker claimed the cutout could be around 35% narrower than it is on the iPhone 17 Pro lineup. Other reports say Apple could move some Face ID sensors beneath the display while keeping a smaller pill-shaped cutout for the front-facing camera and remaining sensors.

Display sizes are not expected to change. The iPhone 18 Pro is rumored to keep a 6.3-inch display, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to retain a 6.9-inch screen. Both devices are expected to continue using LTPO OLED panels with ProMotion support.

Apple is also reportedly still deciding on the final design for the iPhone 18 Pro, with supply chain chatter suggesting the company is running an A/B testing process internally. One version is said to include a mini Dynamic Island with under-display Face ID components, while another sticks closer to the current design. That means Apple may not settle on the final front design until later in development.

On the back, the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to look very similar to the current iPhone 17 Pro, retaining the large camera plateau and triple-lens setup. However, there are rumors of camera improvements, including a variable aperture system for the main camera that would allow users to control how much light enters the lens, potentially improving depth-of-field effects and low-light photography.

The iPhone 18 Pro lineup is also expected to get Apple’s next-generation A20 Pro chip. Reports suggest the chip will be built using TSMC’s 2-nanometer process, which should deliver better performance and improved battery efficiency compared to the A19 Pro chip expected in the iPhone 17 Pro.

Apple is also rumored to be introducing its next-generation in-house modem with the iPhone 18 Pro. The so-called C2 modem could bring improved 5G performance, mmWave support, better power efficiency, and upgraded satellite connectivity. Reports suggest Apple wants to rely less on Qualcomm hardware in future iPhones.

Color options could be one of the biggest visual changes this year. According to Macworld, Apple is currently testing four finishes for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup: Light Blue, Dark Cherry, Dark Gray, and Silver. The Apple Post has created concept images showing what these finishes could look like.

Image: The Apple Post

Dark Cherry is said to be the signature color for this year’s Pro models, described as a deep wine-like red. Dark Gray could also mark the return of a darker neutral finish after Apple notably skipped black and gray on the iPhone 17 Pro lineup.

Other reports have suggested Apple may also have tested purple and brown variants, though some believe those are simply alternate versions of the same dark red concept.

Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September, alongside the rest of the iPhone 18 lineup.