iPhone 18 Pro expected to launch next week with three long-rumored upgrades
iPhone 18 Pro to launch next week with variable aperture, smaller Dynamic Island, and C2 modem.
The variable aperture camera was first reported by The Information more than two years ago, which said the feature was planned for the iPhone 17. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo later said it would instead arrive with the iPhone 18 line. Current reporting indicates the feature is indeed coming to the main camera of the iPhone 18 Pro, at least on the Pro Max model, 9to5Mac says.
Apple introduced the notch with the iPhone X nearly 10 years ago and replaced it with the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro in 2022. The iPhone 18 Pro is now expected to shrink that cutout by about 35%, according to 9to5Mac. The report notes that Siri's new look in iOS 27 hints at the smaller design.
Apple's in-house modem efforts have been an open secret for years, and the first Apple-designed modem, the C1, launched in an iPhone last year. Reports now indicate Apple plans to switch away from Qualcomm modems in the iPhone 18 Pro in favor of its next-generation C2 chip. The C2 is expected to offer speed gains over the C1 and C1X, as well as the improved efficiency and privacy benefits of Apple's modem designs.
9to5Mac said all three features are expected to be detailed when Apple introduces the iPhone 18 Pro next week.