Recent leaks indicate that the iPhone 18 will take another big step forward, featuring several key enhancements. Here are five compelling reasons why this upcoming smartphone might be worth holding out for.

Under-display Face ID: A bold leap in design

Apple has long led the charge in front-facing camera innovation - first with the notch, then with Dynamic Island. These changes were designed to integrate the front camera and Face ID sensors into the display while maximizing screen real estate.

Now, Apple appears ready to enter the next phase. Rumors suggest that the iPhone Pro model marking the 20th anniversary of the iPhone in 2027 will feature a completely uninterrupted display - housing both the selfie camera and Face ID sensors under the screen.

As a precursor to that milestone, Apple is expected to debut under-display Face ID with the iPhone 18. If development stays on track, the iPhone 18 could become the first to sport a “hole-punch” display only for the front-facing camera, offering a sleeker and more modern look.

If you’ve grown tired of Dynamic Island, this could be the design shift that makes the wait worthwhile.

Variable aperture camera: Greater control over light

Apple revamped its camera module on the iPhone 17 Pro. Now, it's reportedly planning to introduce a variable aperture system for the iPhone 18’s main camera.

This feature would allow users to control how much light enters the sensor. In low-light conditions, widening the aperture helps capture brighter, sharper images with reduced noise.

While Samsung is rumored to introduce a fixed wide aperture on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Apple may go a step further by letting users manually adjust it - offering more creative control.

This could mark one of the most significant camera upgrades on an iPhone in years, especially for mobile photography enthusiasts.

Refined design: Smoother transition between metal and glass

With the iPhone 17 Pro, Apple abandoned titanium in favor of aluminum. However, the back still required a large glass panel to support wireless charging, creating a visible contrast between the metal frame and glass surface - especially on lighter color variants.

According to new reports, Apple is refining the back design of the iPhone 18 Pro to minimize the color mismatch between aluminum and glass, delivering a more unified and premium aesthetic.

If the iPhone 17 Pro's design didn't quite meet your standards, the iPhone 18 Pro may finally strike the right balance.

New A20 chip with cutting-edge 2nm process

The iPhone 18 will debut Apple’s A20 chip, with the A20 Pro powering the iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and possibly Apple’s rumored foldable phone.

This marks the company’s first chip built on TSMC’s 2nm process, a step up from the current 3nm A19 Pro.

Samsung is also expected to unveil its 2nm Exynos 2600 chip on the Galaxy S26 early next year.

The move to 2nm promises three major benefits: faster performance, better energy efficiency, and lower heat output during use.

Together, these make a strong case for waiting until the iPhone 18 rather than upgrading now.

Smarter software with a matured Apple Intelligence

Over the past two years, Apple has faced criticism over software instability - from system bugs to incomplete updates. Apple Intelligence, its AI suite announced in June 2024, also suffered delays and performance issues.

By next year, Apple is expected to collaborate with Google to polish Apple Intelligence into a genuine competitor to Galaxy AI and Google Pixel’s Gemini.

When iPhone 18 launches, Apple Intelligence should be more stable and deliver the smart experience Apple originally promised.

Of course, the iPhone 17 will also receive the AI update. But Apple has a history of limiting certain features to newer models - claiming, for example, that only the iPhone 15 Pro had enough RAM for Apple Intelligence.

So it’s entirely possible some AI capabilities will be exclusive to iPhone 18.

With sweeping upgrades in design, photography, performance, and software, the iPhone 18 promises to be more than a typical iteration - it could be a defining leap in Apple’s smartphone journey.

If you're not in a rush to upgrade, the iPhone 18 is shaping up to be well worth the wait in the coming year.

Hai Phong