iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max Launch in 48 Days: Price, Design, and Everything Else We Know | Tech News
iPhone 18 Pro’s starting price could climb by at least Rs 5,000, potentially pushing the base model closer to the Rs 1,39,900 to Rs 1,44,900 range.
iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max mobiles are expected to launch by September 9, 2026. That means we are roughly 48 days away. Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max could launch at noticeably higher prices this year, with multiple analyst estimates pointing to increases of up to $300.
Apple hasn’t confirmed pricing yet, but reports consistently point to rising component costs, including the new 2nm A20 chip and pricier memory, as the driving factor.
Alongside the expected price hike, several hardware upgrades are reportedly on the way, including a smaller Dynamic Island, a variable-aperture camera, a new C2 modem, improved battery life, and Apple’s 2nm A20 chip.
The Pro and Pro Max are expected to launch alongside Apple’s first foldable iPhone in September 2026, while the standard iPhone 18 is reportedly being pushed to spring 2027.
iPhone 18 Pro Expected Pricing
According to IDC, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max could be priced up to $200 higher than their predecessors, putting starting prices at around $1,299 and $1,399 respectively.
Separately, the Wall Street Journal has reported the iPhone 18 Pro could start at $1,399, citing rising RAM costs. Counterpoint Research has separately estimated that the 1TB iPhone 18 Pro Max specifically could cost around $300 more than the equivalent iPhone 17 Pro Max, driven by component cost increases at that storage tier.
Design and display
Apple isn’t expected to overhaul the overall design this year. Reports suggest a slightly thicker chassis, a larger camera module, and a more unified rear finish. Apple is also said to be testing a deep red colour option for the Pro lineup.
Screen sizes are expected to stay the same, 6.3 inches for the Pro and 6.9 inches for the Pro Max. Several reports point to a smaller Dynamic Island, though there’s disagreement over whether this change actually lands this year. The displays are also expected to move to LTPO+ technology for better power efficiency.
Camera and performance
The Pro series is expected to get a variable-aperture main camera, letting users manually control how much light reaches the sensor. Reports also point to a larger aperture on the telephoto lens, and at least one Pro model may use a new three-layer stacked image sensor developed by Samsung.
Powering the lineup is expected to be Apple’s A20 chip, built on TSMC’s 2nm process, aimed at better performance and power efficiency while supporting Apple Intelligence features. Some reports suggest the Pro models specifically will get an A20 Pro variant.
Battery, modem, and launch timeline
The Pro lineup is expected to include Apple’s next-generation C2 modem, bringing improved 5G connectivity and, in some markets, additional satellite communication features.
Battery capacity is also expected to grow, particularly on the Pro Max, with efficiency gains from the 2nm chip contributing to longer battery life.
Based on current reports, Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its first foldable iPhone in September 2026, with the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e following in spring 2027.
