[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong (홍진주)] Apple’s next premium smartphones, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, are expected to come with a smaller Dynamic Island than the previous model and the A20 Pro chip based on a 2-nanometre process. An in-house C2 modem, a variable-aperture camera and a larger battery capacity are also cited as key changes.

According to IT outlet 9to5Mac on Aug. 17 (local time), the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, expected to be unveiled next month, is more likely to launch by improving key elements such as the display, performance, camera and battery rather than making major changes to its appearance.

The most noticeable change is the front design. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to reduce the size of the Dynamic Island by moving some Face ID-related components under the display. If realised, it could feature the smallest screen cutout among recent iPhones.

The rear design is also expected to see some tweaks. A report raised the possibility that Apple will better match the colour tones of aluminium and glass areas to boost a unified look across the back, and add dark cherry or burgundy tones as a new signature colour in place of the existing cosmic orange.

A20 Pro sits at the centre of the performance upgrade. The A20 Pro is expected to be the first iPhone chip from Apple to use a 2-nanometre process and wafer-level multi-chip module packaging. That could lift performance and power efficiency versus the previous A19 Pro while strengthening on-device artificial intelligence processing capability, according to expectations.

The camera is also set for improvements, centred on the Pro models. The main camera is expected to adopt a variable aperture, allowing it to adjust light intake and depth of field depending on shooting conditions. The telephoto camera may also get a wider aperture, and new camera app features aimed at Pro users are expected to be added.

A larger battery capacity is also in focus. The iPhone 18 Pro Max in particular is cited as possibly featuring a battery about 10 percent larger than the previous model. If combined with improved power efficiency from the 2-nanometre A20 Pro and an in-house C2 modem, actual usage time could also increase.

The camera control button could instead become simpler. First introduced on the iPhone 16, the feature allows users to adjust zoom and exposure with touch gestures, but it has also drawn criticism for being complex and sensitive. Apple is known to be considering simplifying the related configuration in the iPhone 18 series and removing some touch-sensing elements.

In communications components, the shift to an in-house modem is expected to expand further. Apple is expected to fit the next-generation C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max after applying the C1 to the iPhone 16e and the C1X to the iPhone Air. Expectations are rising that the in-house modem could further improve communications efficiency and battery performance.

In the end, the iPhone 18 Pro series is expected to focus on a smaller Dynamic Island, the 2-nanometre A20 Pro, an in-house C2 modem, and camera and battery upgrades rather than a sweeping design change. A key point to watch is how much Apple shows these hardware shifts translating into actual product performance at next month’s unveiling event.