iPhone 18 Pro leaker just tipped biggest design change in nearly a decade as models enter 'sample production'

iPhone 17 Pro Max shown in hand — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

You might not recognize some iPhone 18 models as iPhones, according to the latest rumors which tip a major redesign for two of the four expected models.

Established leaker Digital Chat Station, via a Weibo post, has stated that the base iPhone 18, as well as the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the iPhone Air 2, have entered "sample production" stage, seemingly confirming some of the display specs we have heard about previously. We've thrown DCS' figures into the table below for easier reading.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Row 0 - Cell 0	Size (inches)	Refresh rate	Notch style
iPhone 18	6.27	120Hz (LTPO)	Dynamic Island
iPhone Air 2	6.55	120Hz (LTPO)	Dynamic Island
iPhone 18 Pro	6.27	120Hz (LTPO)	Under-display Face ID, punch-hole selfie camera
iPhone 18 Pro Max	6.86	120Hz (LTPO)	Under-display Face ID, punch-hole selfie camera

First off, we can see that we should not expect any changes in size to this year's new iPhones compared to the current models. Likewise, with the refresh rate and underlying display tech - it's looking to be 120Hz and LTPO for all, as is the case with the iPhone 17 series and the iPhone Air.

DCS' leak also claims that the iPhone 18 and iPhone Air 2 will be sticking with the Dynamic Island that we've seen on iPhones for the past several generations. However, the two Pro models will get something new - a combination of under-display Face ID sensors with a punch-hole selfie camera.

Apple iPhone 17 review. — The display of the iPhone 17 (Image credit: Tom's Guide / John Velasco)

This has been rumored by other sources too, and suggests that the iPhone 18 Pro versions will look noticeably different from the front. We've seen iPhones with a notch of some kind since 2017's iPhone X, but this could mark the beginning of the end for the once-controversial design.

This is all thought to be leading up to the iPhone 20 next year. As a major anniversary year for Apple's smartphone, it's expected to have a completely notchless design, with a display that covers the entire front of the screen.

We'll likely only get official confirmation of Apple's plans for the iPhone 18 Pro in September, the usual month for iPhone launches. But the fate of the standard iPhone 18 may be a mystery until 2027, as Apple has been tipped to start a new launch strategy in which the basic flagship iPhone launches after the Pros.

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Richard is based in London, covering news, reviews and how-tos for phones, tablets, gaming, and whatever else people need advice on. Following on from his MA in Magazine Journalism at the University of Sheffield, he's also written for WIRED U.K., The Register and Creative Bloq. When not at work, he's likely thinking about how to brew the perfect cup of specialty coffee.

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