5 Key Upgrades Apple Is Reportedly Planning For The iPhone 18 Pro Series

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-Kabir Jain

Published: Monday, February 16, 2026, 18:00 [IST]

Apple’s next Pro iPhones are still a while away, but early conversations around them are already taking shape. A new research note from analyst Jeff Pu of GF Securities outlines five changes that could arrive with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max later this year.

None of this is official yet, but the ideas fit Apple’s usual pattern: small, steady shifts rather than headline-grabbing redesigns.

A Tighter Dynamic Island

One of the more noticeable changes could be a slightly smaller Dynamic Island. The note suggests Apple may move Face ID’s flood illuminator under the display, which would reduce the amount of visible hardware at the top of the screen.

If that happens, the Dynamic Island would still be part of the interface, just less dominant. It’s the kind of refinement Apple tends to make quietly over a few generations.

A Variable Aperture System

The main 48-megapixel camera is also said to be getting attention. The report points to a variable aperture system, which would let the camera adjust how much light it lets in.

On a phone, this may not radically change how photos look day to day, given the physical limits of small sensors. Still, it would give Apple more flexibility in how the camera behaves in different lighting conditions.

Apple’s Next Chip Takes A Smaller Step Forward

On the performance side, the iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to run on the A20 Pro chip. The key detail here is manufacturing. Pu says the chip will use TSMC’s first-generation 2nm process, paired with a new packaging design.

That move should bring the usual gains in efficiency and speed, rather than a dramatic leap. It’s consistent with how Apple has upgraded its silicon year after year.

A New Wireless Chip, Details Still Thin

The report also mentions a new N2 chip to handle wireless connectivity. Current iPhones already support Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, so this looks like an internal upgrade rather than a feature users will notice immediately.

Better reliability or improved power efficiency are the most likely benefits, though specifics haven’t surfaced yet.

Apple’s Modem Moves Into The Spotlight

The final upgrade could be one of the more meaningful ones long term. Pu says Apple’s in-house C2 modem is set to arrive on the Pro models.

So far, Apple’s custom modems have appeared only in a few devices outside the main Pro lineup. Bringing the C2 modem to the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max would be a clear sign that Apple is ready to rely more heavily on its own cellular hardware.

iPhone 18 Launch Timeline

According to the analyst, Apple is still on track to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro models in September. The launch is also expected to include Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone, while the standard iPhone 18 may arrive later, possibly alongside an iPhone 18e next spring.

For now, these details offer an early look at where Apple might be heading, even if the final devices end up looking familiar on the surface.

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