[Digital Today reporter Jinju Hong (홍진주)] Apple’s next flagship smartphone, the iPhone 18 Pro, is increasingly likely to include major hardware changes that have long been discussed. Apple is seen preparing the next Pro model to improve the camera, display and communications chip at the same time.

On Aug. 4 local time, IT outlet 9to5Mac reported that Apple may apply a variable-aperture camera, a reduced Dynamic Island and its own C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro.

The biggest change is expected to be the main camera. Speculation that Apple would introduce a variable aperture on the iPhone has persisted for more than 2 years as a representative next-generation feature. It was initially mentioned as a possible iPhone 17 Pro feature, but forecasts later said the timing was pushed back to the iPhone 18 Pro.

A variable aperture is a technology that adjusts how much light a lens takes in depending on shooting conditions. It can reduce light in bright environments and take in more light in dark environments to improve photo quality. It is also expected to enable depth-of-field expression and various camera functions by adjusting the aperture. Actual user experience is expected to differ depending on how Apple optimises the function.

A smaller Dynamic Island is expected in the front design. Apple first introduced the Dynamic Island in the iPhone 14 Pro in 2022, replacing the existing notch. It has since improved usability by combining the top camera area with software.

In the iPhone 18 Pro, the physical size of this area could shrink further, forecasts say. The currently expected reduction is about 35 percent compared with the existing size. If the Dynamic Island becomes smaller, the camera area could take up less of the front screen, potentially improving content consumption such as video viewing and games. Some also view Siri’s redesigned look in iOS 27 as a signal that Apple is preparing to reduce the top-screen area.

In communications, Apple’s in-house modem strategy is expected to accelerate. Apple has developed its own modem for years to reduce dependence on Qualcomm, and last year it first applied its in-house designed C1 modem to an iPhone.

In the next iPhone 18 Pro, the successor C2 modem may be installed instead of a Qualcomm modem. The C2 is expected to improve speed and power efficiency compared with the existing C1 line. If Apple brings modems into its in-house design scope, it could optimise integration with Apple silicon and the operating system and expand control over product design.

An in-house modem also matters in terms of managing the parts supply chain. Apple has expanded its strategy of designing key components in-house, and the modem is also seen as an extension of this trend.

In the industry, the iPhone 18 Pro’s key changes are seen as aimed not just at improving performance but at changing the overall user experience. The variable aperture symbolises the shooting experience, the smaller Dynamic Island the completeness of the design, and the C2 modem Apple’s parts-independence strategy.

As the iPhone 18 Pro reveal draws nearer, interest is growing in how far Apple will implement these features in the actual product.