New iPhone 18 Pro chips, camera upgrades, and more leaked by analyst — here's what we know

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5 features that could improve the iPhone 18 Pro models

iPhone 18 Pro colors: purple, brown, burgundy
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple's stopgap phone before its 20th anniversary, is supposed to launch later this year. Now, an analyst reveals five upgrades for the new phones.

The features appear in a research note from analyst Jeff Pu of GF Securities (seen by MacRumors). Pu's note appears to confirm several previous rumors, including new chips and a variable aperture lens.

  • A20 Pro Chip: Alongside the rumored iPhone Fold, the Pro models should feature the next-generation A20 Pro chip, the first built on TSMC's 2nm process. This chip should be far more efficient and powerful compared to the current 3nm A19 chipset. Unfortunately, it could mean a higher price as semiconductors have gotten more expensive.
  • C2 Modem: Apple debut its in-house C1 modem with the iPhone 16e last year and subsequently the C1X in the iPhone Air. This year's Pro models could get the an upgraded C2 modem. This new chip should connect to 5G and LTE even faster with more power-efficiency.
  • N2 chip: Last September, Apple debuted its N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread connectivity in the iPhone 17 lineup. According to Pu, a new generation N2 chip will launch with the iPhone 18. It's not clear yet what upgrades this chip could feature, presumably it will have stronger connectivity and better efficiency.
  • Smaller Dynamic Island: It's been rumored that Apple might make the dynamic island smaller, down to a 13.5mm width compared to the current 20.7mm. It seems to refute other rumors claiming that Apple is putting the selfie camera under the display.
  • Variable aperture lens: The big camera rumor is that 48MP main camera will feature a variable aperture, which lets you control the amount of light that enters the lens. It would give iPhone shooters greater control over the depth of field.

As mentioned, all five rumors have surfaced before but Pu's consolidation appears to confirm them. Pu's predictions can be hit or miss, but he tends to land more on the side of correct than wrong.

At this point, Apple is expected to launch the iPhone Pro models in September alongside the iPhone Fold. However, it's rumored that Apple will split the iPhone 18 launch. The vanilla base-model iPhone 18 is supposed to be pushed to the spring of 2027 alongside the iPhone 18e.

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Scott Younker
Scott Younker
West Coast Reporter

Scott Younker is the West Coast Reporter at Tom’s Guide. He covers all the lastest tech news. He’s been involved in tech since 2011 at various outlets and is on an ongoing hunt to build the easiest to use home media system. When not writing about the latest devices, you are more than welcome to discuss board games or disc golf with him. He also handles all the Connections coverage on Tom's Guide and has been playing the addictive NYT game since it released.

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