iPhone 18 Pro Leaks Point to 2nm Chip, Foldable Debut in September 2026
Apple's next flagship lineup could deliver the biggest hardware leap in years, alongside the company's first foldable iPhone.
Apple is preparing one of its most significant iPhone upgrades in years, with multiple leaks pointing to a 2nm processor, 12GB of RAM, and a smaller Dynamic Island for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max expected this September.
A 2nm Power Leap
The iPhone 18 Pro models will feature the A20 Pro chip built on TSMC's 2nm N2 process with WMCM (Wafer-level Multi-Chip Module) packaging, according to analyst Jeff Pu and supply chain reports reviewed by MacRumors and Android Authority. This marks a critical industry milestone, promising substantial gains in power efficiency and performance over the current 3nm A18 Pro.
Both Pro models are rumored to ship with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM from Samsung, up from 8GB in current Pro models. The memory bump would better position Apple's flagships against Android competitors and support more aggressive on-device AI features.
Smaller Dynamic Island, Not Full Under-Display
The iPhone 18 Pro will not achieve full under-display Face ID. Instead, expect a smaller Dynamic Island—approximately 35% reduced in size—with partial under-display Face ID components, according to iClarified's supply chain sourcing. Claims that the front camera will shift to the top-left corner remain unconfirmed.
Variable Aperture Camera
The main rear camera may adopt a variable aperture system, allowing physical control over light intake. Sunny Optical is reportedly manufacturing the lenses, a feature long requested by photography enthusiasts and previously seen on Huawei and Xiaomi flagships.
The Camera Control button introduced on iPhone 16 could be simplified to pressure-only sensing, removing the capacitive layer in favor of a more durable mechanical design.
iPhone Fold Arrives
Apple is reportedly planning to launch its first foldable iPhone alongside the 18 Pro lineup in September 2026. Dubbed iPhone Fold or iPhone Ultra, the device is expected to feature a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover display. The foldable will use Touch ID instead of Face ID due to thickness constraints, according to multiple supply chain sources.
Price Hike Expected
The iPhone 18 Pro Max could see a price increase of approximately $200, driven by higher production costs for the advanced camera system and memory upgrades, Notebookcheck reported.
What Remains Unconfirmed
Viral claims about a "Barbie Edition" glossy pink finish appear to be internet speculation rather than genuine leaks. Deep Red is the more credible new color rumor. Satellite-based 5G support mentioned in early summaries also lacks independent corroboration.
If Apple executes on these rumors, the iPhone 18 Pro lineup would represent the company's most aggressive hardware push since the iPhone X, while the foldable entry could reshape the premium smartphone market currently dominated by Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series.