Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could feature a noticeably thicker camera plateau to make room for larger and more advanced camera hardware.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has said the two phones will include some of the biggest camera hardware upgrades in the iPhone lineup’s history.
Multiple leaks now point to a bigger rear camera section, while the overall bodies of the two phones are expected to remain similar to the iPhone 17 Pro lineup.
Apple is expected to unveil the two models in September, although the company has not confirmed the launch event or any of the reported specifications.
The additional space is reportedly required for a larger 48MP main camera sensor with a variable aperture.
A variable aperture would allow the camera to control how much light reaches the sensor. It could improve low-light photography, reduce overexposure, and give users more control over depth of field.
The iPhone 18 Pro lineup is also expected to retain a triple 48MP camera system. Reports point to an upgraded ultrawide camera with improved optical image stabilisation and a periscope telephoto camera.
The telephoto camera may also receive a wider aperture to improve its performance in low-light conditions.
Dummy units examined in April indicated that the iPhone 18 Pro Max could measure 13.77mm at its thickest point when the camera lenses are included.
By comparison, the iPhone 17 Pro Max measures 12.92mm in the same area. The increase is expected to be concentrated around the camera plateau rather than the entire body of the phone.
A separate leak claims that camera-related changes will increase the thickness of the aluminium rear plateau by more than 2mm.
The iPhone 18 Pro could cost considerably more than its predecessor because of higher memory and component prices.
Apple CEO Tim Cook recently said rising memory costs had become unsustainable and that price increases were unavoidable, although he did not identify the products that would become more expensive.
One estimate suggests that the iPhone 18 Pro could start at $1,399, compared with the iPhone 17 Pro’s $1,099 starting price.
However, other analysts expect Apple to maintain the current price or introduce only a limited increase. Final pricing will not be known until Apple formally announces the phones.
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to use LTPO+ OLED display technology.
The displays will reportedly support an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz. This allows the screen to reduce its refresh rate when showing static content and increase it during gaming, scrolling and other motion-heavy tasks.
Reports also claim that Apple could use Samsung’s newer M16 OLED material, which is expected to improve brightness, colour reproduction, efficiency and display lifespan.
The two phones may also have a smaller Dynamic Island. Apple could achieve this by moving some Face ID components beneath the display, although reports remain divided over the exact implementation.
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to use Apple’s A20 Pro chip.
They could also become the first Pro models to use Apple’s C2 cellular modem. The modem is expected to support 5G mmWave and additional satellite-related connectivity features.
Reports also point to larger batteries, although their final capacities have not been confirmed.
Apple is reportedly testing four colours for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup: Dark Gray, Dark Cherry, Light Blue, and Silver.
The company may also change how it processes the aluminium frame after reports of fading and corrosion affecting some iPhone 17 Pro finishes.
The revised process is intended to improve corrosion resistance and reduce the risk of colour degradation. However, Apple could change or remove some of the reported colour options before production begins.
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