The iPhone 18 Pro is arriving this fall, and three new features could be among the biggest motivators for upgrading Apple’s latest flagship model.
#1: New Camera Improvements
Mark Gurman recently said that the iPhone 18 Pro would include “some of the biggest camera hardware upgrades in the history of the lineup.”
So far, rumors point to at least a few specific features:
- Variable aperture main camera
- Telephoto camera with wider aperture
- Redesigned camera control button
Variable aperture might be Apple’s biggest improvement. It should allow users to adjust the depth of field to perfectly suit the type of photo they are taking. My colleague Ben explains:
You can have a shallow DoF when you want to isolate the subject from the background, a medium DoF when you want isolation but still ensure the background is recognizable, or a deep DoF when you want everything in the photo to be in focus.
A wider aperture for the telephoto camera will allow for better low-light performance with the iPhone’s 4x and 8x zoom options. And Apple’s overhaul of Camera Control could prove that less is more.
#2: Best Battery Life Ever
The iPhone 17 Pro delivered impressive battery gains, but rumors indicate that Apple will extend battery life even further on the iPhone 18 Pro.
Battery improvements are expected thanks to three changes:
- A physically larger battery
- A20 Pro chip delivers efficiency gains
- The C2 modem is also more energy efficient
A leak earlier this year showed a slightly larger battery for the iPhone 18 Pro Max. But battery life should also benefit from the A20 Pro chip’s 2nm process and the move from a Qualcomm 5G modem to an Apple-designed C2 modem.
This will all add up to make the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max deliver the best battery life ever on an iPhone.
#3: Design updates, including new flagship color
History has shown that when an iPhone looks significantly different from year to year, sales benefit. And while the iPhone 18 Pro likely features the same look as its predecessor, three notable design updates are coming.
Apple is expected to follow up the popular Cosmic Orange finish of the iPhone 17 Pro with a unique new flagship color. Leakers said it was a mix of burgundy, coffee, and dark purple; others called it dark red or black cherry.
There could also be a space gray/black color this year, which could be a hit among those who weren’t happy with the iPhone 17 Pro’s omission of such an option.
The iPhone 18 Pro will also differ from last year’s model by making the color of the rear glass more aligned with that of the aluminum. This way the two finishes blend together more harmoniously instead of having a two-tone look.
Finally, the dynamic island of the iPhone 18 Pro should decrease by around 35%. This will give the new iPhone a more usable screen than previous models.
What new iPhone 18 Pro features might motivate you to upgrade this year? Let us know in the comments.
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