While last year’s iPhone 17 Pro Max brought a refreshed design and meaningful upgrades, early reports suggest Apple is ready to push boundaries even further with the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Smoother display with LTPO+ technology

Both the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max are expected to feature an upgraded LTPO+ display. This next-gen panel is said to offer improved refresh rates while conserving more power.

For users, that translates to smoother scrolling, snappier transitions, and longer battery life - all from one key hardware tweak.

Color-matched design for a more seamless look

One subtle but noticeable design change may appear on the back of the device. Apple is reportedly working to better color-match the aluminum frame with the rear glass.

On the iPhone 17 Pro Max, the glass used for wireless charging had a slightly different hue from the frame. The upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max may correct this, delivering a cleaner, more unified aesthetic.

A thicker, heavier build - by design

Rumors suggest the iPhone 18 Pro Max could be Apple’s heaviest iPhone yet, possibly tipping the scale beyond 240g - heavier than both the iPhone 13 Pro Max and 14 Pro Max, which were 240g each.

This added heft may be a deliberate trade-off for more meaningful upgrades under the hood.

Bigger battery for longer endurance

A key reason for the increased weight could be the battery. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is rumored to pack a significantly larger battery compared to its predecessor.

Even a modest percentage increase could mean a noticeable bump in battery life - something Pro Max users especially value for all-day performance.

Apple’s custom C2 modem could replace Qualcomm

Under the hood, a major shift may come with Apple’s new in-house modem. Following the C1 modem quietly introduced in the iPhone 16e, the C2 modem could power the iPhone 18 series.

If Apple meets its timeline, this would mark the first iPhone line to rely entirely on Apple-designed 5G modems.

Expected benefits include better mmWave performance, enhanced carrier aggregation, and lower power consumption - meaning faster downloads with less battery drain on high-speed networks.

Variable aperture main camera - a first for iPhone

Camera rumors are heating up. Sources say the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max may debut a 48MP Fusion main camera with variable aperture - an industry first for Apple.

Both the primary and telephoto lenses may feature wider apertures, improving low-light performance and offering finer control over depth of field.

Say goodbye to the Camera Control button

First introduced with iPhone 16, the Camera Control button may not make a return. Data shows it was rarely used, and Apple is reportedly ready to eliminate the feature to reduce production costs.

Once hyped as a leap for mobile photography, the button may disappear quietly - another example of a feature that didn’t quite catch on.

Punch-hole selfie camera, Dynamic Island dropped?

A bigger shift may come on the front. Several trusted sources claim that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will abandon the signature Dynamic Island in favor of a punch-hole camera in the upper-left corner.

Face ID components - including dot projector and sensors - might be hidden under the screen. It remains to be seen whether the Dynamic Island will disappear entirely or be recreated via software.

A20 Pro chip built on TSMC’s 2nm process

Every iPhone needs a headline performance boost - and for 2026, that’s likely the A20 Pro chip. This will be Apple’s first processor built on TSMC’s 2nm node.

Compared to the A19 chip on 3nm, the jump to 2nm is expected to deliver up to 15% faster performance and up to 30% better energy efficiency.

Smaller transistors mean cooler operation and better battery life - in other words, faster, cooler, and longer-lasting performance.

Hai Phong