iPhone 18 Rumor Check: 20 Claims Ranked by Likelihood

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro models and its first foldable iPhone are less than two months away from being revealed, with the standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2 expected to follow in spring 2027 as part of the company’s new split launch strategy. We’ve looked at everything we know so far and ranked the most consistent rumors, followed by the most speculative.

Solid rumors

• iPhone Air 2 with dual cameras – The second-generation iPhone Air is reportedly undergoing advanced testing with an ultra-wide camera joining the existing main camera. The overall design is expected to remain largely unchanged except for the additional lens.
• New iPhone 18 Pro colors – Dark Cherry is expected to be this year’s signature finish, accompanied by a light blue, silver and dark gray option. All four colors appeared in images of dummy models that corroborate previous reports.
• Variable aperture lens for iPhone 18 Pro – Both Pro models should benefit from a variable aperture for the 48-megapixel main camera. This would allow the camera to adjust the amount of light reaching the sensor and give users greater control over exposure and depth of field.
• More RAM for iPhone 18 – Reports disagree on whether the standard iPhone 18 will have 9GB or 12GB of RAM, but both amounts would represent an increase from the iPhone 17’s 8GB. The additional memory would support some of the more advanced on-device Apple Intelligence features available in iOS 27.
• iPhone 18 Pro battery life – Capacity leaks suggest bigger batteries for Apple’s high-end models, with the iPhone 18 Pro Max reaching around 5,567 mAh outside of China. A more efficient 2nm A20 Pro chip and LTPO+ display could deliver a more noticeable improvement in real-world battery life.
• Foldable book-style design – Apple’s first foldable device is consistently described as a short, wide book-style device with an exterior screen of around 5.5 inches and an interior display of 7.8 inches. It should use a 4:3 aspect ratio and look like a small iPad when unfolded. It has been compared to “two titanium iPhone Airs side by side”.
• New modems designed by Apple – The foldable iPhone and at least international versions of the iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to use Apple’s faster second-generation C2 modem, which could support 5G satellite connectivity. However, if the C2 does not have mmWave capability (which is not a feature of the C1 or C1X), Apple should instead opt for a Qualcomm modem for the US market.
• Higher prices – Rising memory and storage costs are leading to likely price increases across the iPhone 18 lineup. Analysts estimate that the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max could start at $1,299 and $1,399, respectively, $200 more than their predecessors, while the foldable iPhone is expected to cost more than $2,000.

Maybe, maybe

• iPhone Air 2 Battery Life – A leaker claims that the iPhone Air 2 will have a 3,500 mAh battery, an increase of about 11% over the current model. The 2nm A20 chip and potentially thinner display could offer increased efficiency or make room for a larger cell.
• Only two foldable colors – Some reports point to just two understated finishes for the foldable iPhone. White or silver seems most likely, while the darker option has been described as indigo, space gray, or black.
• Smaller dynamic island – Alleged iPhone 18 Pro prototypes, screen protectors and CAD images depict a dynamic island that is approximately 35% narrower than on current iPhone 17 models. Other reports indicate that Apple has considered both models or may have postponed the change to next year’s models due to issues with Face ID components, so this rumor remains ambiguous.
• Thicker camera plate – Dummy models suggest the iPhone 18 Pro Max camera tray could increase from 11.23mm to 11.54mm. A separate report states that the smaller iPhone 18 Pro’s camera body will also become thicker, but no precise measurements have been shared.
• Simplified camera control – Apple has reportedly removed the capacitive sensing layer from camera control in future iPhones and will rely solely on pressure sensitivity. The change could eliminate swipes and accidental adjustments while reducing manufacturing and repair costs.
• Wrinkle-free foldable screen – Apple has reportedly reduced the inner screen crease to less than 0.15mm depth, making it almost invisible during normal use. More recent rumors seem to acknowledge that some physical wrinkles might be unavoidable, so “almost wrinkle-free” is probably more realistic than completely wrinkle-free.
• iPhone Ultra name – Recent rumors are increasingly referring to the foldable as the “iPhone Ultra,” which would befit its expected position above the Pro Max. There’s still no firm proof of the final name, and “iPhone Fold” remains another possibility, albeit out of reach.

This seems unlikely

• iPhone 18 Pro Teleconverter – A single report claims that Apple has evaluated a teleconverter that would increase the effective focal length of the camera. The claim comes from a relatively new Apple leaker, and it’s still unclear how such a system would work inside an iPhone.
• Punch-hole selfie camera – A first report of The information said the iPhone 18 Pro will ditch Dynamic Island for a punch-hole camera on the top left. Later reports instead indicate either a smaller centered dynamic island or no change, making the perforation design increasingly doubtful.
• iPhone 18 downgrades – A leak claims that Apple will reduce the display and chip specifications of the standard iPhone 18 to control costs, potentially sharing more components with the iPhone 18e. The report has little corroboration and is at odds with expectations for a 2nm A20 chip and additional RAM.
• UDC Foldable Front Lens – The foldable’s interior display is rumored to contain a 24-megapixel under-display camera (UDC), but other reports suggest the technology won’t be ready this year. Apple may instead use punch-hole cameras visible on both interior and exterior displays.
• Goodbye, SIM tray – The foldable iPhone itself is widely expected to be eSIM only, but the SIM tray doesn’t look set to disappear from the entire lineup. Battery capacity rumors still list physical variants of the iPhone 18 Pro for China, Hong Kong, and other markets.

What are you most looking forward to in the iPhone 18 lineup? Let us know in the comments below. For more rumors, check out our roundups of the iPhone 18, iPhone Fold, iPhone Air, and iPhone 18 Pro, which we update regularly.