What the analyst claims is coming

In a research note summarized by multiple tech outlets, analyst Jeff Pu (GF Securities) describes five upgrades he expects for iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max—devices widely anticipated to arrive in September 2026 if Apple keeps its typical cadence.

The five points are straightforward, and that’s exactly why they matter: they’re the kind of component-level changes (chip process, modem generation, camera module capability) that tend to “solidify” earlier than cosmetic redesign rumors.

Key takeaways in 30 seconds

  • Smaller Dynamic Island is expected, driven by moving a Face ID component (the flood illuminator) under the display.
  • Variable-aperture main camera could arrive, potentially adding more creative control and better exposure flexibility.
  • A20 Pro on first-gen 2nm is the likely performance-and-efficiency headline, paired with a new packaging design.
  • N2 wireless chip would follow the iPhone 17 family’s N1 move, with unknown (but likely practical) connection improvements.
  • C2 modem would be Apple’s next cellular step as it works toward replacing Qualcomm modems in iPhones.

Table of contents

iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro: the quick comparison

Here’s the “at-a-glance” way to think about the shift. The iPhone 17 Pro line is already a mature flagship platform—especially on connectivity—so the iPhone 18 Pro story is less about reinventing the phone and more about tightening the front design, advancing camera flexibility, and pushing Apple silicon further into the radio stack.

Area iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max (shipping) iPhone 18 Pro / Pro Max (rumored/expected)
Front design Dynamic Island (current size) Smaller Dynamic Island via under-display Face ID flood illuminator
Main camera 48MP “Fusion” main camera (fixed aperture) 48MP main camera with variable aperture
Processor Apple A19 Pro (3nm class) Apple A20 Pro on TSMC first-gen 2nm + new packaging design
Wi-Fi / Bluetooth / Thread Apple N1 wireless chip; Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread Apple N2 wireless chip (details TBD)
Cellular modem Qualcomm modem (teardown reporting points to Snapdragon X80 on 17 Pro Max) Apple C2 modem (third-gen Apple cellular)

Note: “Shipping” refers to confirmed iPhone 17 Pro specs from Apple’s published technical specifications. “Rumored/expected” reflects analyst and media reporting, not Apple confirmation.

Why these rumors are arriving early

Most iPhone rumor cycles begin with messy, contradictory design talk. This time, the early clarity comes from the kind of upgrades analysts track best: semiconductor roadmaps, component sourcing, and generational part changes (like moving from an “N1” to “N2” wireless chip).

In other words, it’s not that the iPhone 18 Pro is “finished” six-plus months early. It’s that the constraints are known: if Apple plans a 2nm A20 Pro in 2026, that decision drives power targets, thermal design assumptions, and even camera feature ambitions. Similarly, if Apple wants its C2 modem ready for a Pro iPhone window, it has to be in motion long before the keynote.

The result is an upgrade map that’s believable even when details are missing—because the shape of it aligns with how Apple typically evolves the Pro line: one or two visible changes up front, plus meaningful performance, camera, and efficiency gains under the hood.

1) Smaller Dynamic Island: what “under-display flood illuminator” actually implies

The most visible rumored change is a smaller Dynamic Island. The mechanism, according to Pu’s summary, is that Apple may move Face ID’s flood illuminator under the display.

If you don’t follow Face ID hardware: the TrueDepth system uses multiple components to project and read infrared information so your face can be mapped accurately. The flood illuminator is part of that infrared system—helpful especially in low light—so moving it under the screen is not a trivial engineering tweak.

Here’s the practical takeaway: moving one component under the display usually means Apple can reduce the size of the cutout, but it doesn’t automatically guarantee a “full screen with no interruption” iPhone. That would likely require multiple TrueDepth elements to go under the panel without degrading reliability (and Apple tends to prioritize reliability over being first).

What it could mean for daily use

  • More usable pixels in the status/notification area, especially in landscape video and games.
  • Cleaner composition for reading, maps, and creative apps that place UI near the top edge.
  • Same behavior, smaller footprint: Apple could keep the Dynamic Island experience intact but visually less dominant.

What could go wrong

Under-display sensors can introduce optical compromises—haze, distortion, and reduced signal strength. Even if the flood illuminator moves under the display, Apple may still reserve the right to keep additional Face ID elements visible if it protects unlock consistency. That’s why “smaller” is the safer rumor than “gone.”

2) Variable-aperture main camera: the rumor that could actually change how iPhones shoot

If there’s one upgrade on Pu’s list that could meaningfully change iPhone photography—assuming Apple exposes it well in the camera app—it’s a variable-aperture main camera on the 48MP “Fusion” lens.

Aperture is the opening that controls how much light reaches the sensor. In traditional cameras, a wider aperture (a lower f-number) admits more light, helping in dark scenes and enabling shallower depth of field. A smaller aperture (higher f-number) admits less light but can improve sharpness and control highlights in bright conditions.

Smartphone cameras already compensate with computational photography—stacking frames, noise reduction, HDR, and subject segmentation—so why does variable aperture matter? Because it gives Apple a new physical lever to pull in addition to software: the camera can adapt the light intake at capture time, potentially improving exposure consistency and providing a different “rendering” option for portraits and close-ups.

Why Apple would do this now

The iPhone camera story has shifted from “more megapixels” to “more control.” The Pro line already competes on video pipelines, RAW workflows, and color consistency. Variable aperture fits that trajectory: it’s an upgrade that can be marketed as “Pro” while also improving casual results in tricky lighting.

What to watch for if the rumor is true

  • Is it manual, automatic, or both? Some phones implement “variable aperture” as a simple two-step switch. The user experience matters as much as the spec.
  • Does it improve motion and low light? If Apple uses a wider aperture to raise shutter speeds, you’ll see fewer blurry indoor shots.
  • How does it interact with portrait mode? The best outcome is Apple combining physical aperture changes with depth mapping to make portraits look more natural.
  • Is depth of field meaningfully different? Phone sensors are small; the improvement might be subtle unless Apple designs the system to make the difference visible.

Multiple outlets also frame variable aperture as a candidate “big camera” feature for iPhone 18 Pro specifically, which matches the idea that Apple would reserve it for higher-margin models.

3) A20 Pro on 2nm: the classic “silent upgrade” that usually benefits everyone

Pu’s list includes an A20 Pro built on TSMC’s first-generation 2nm process, which would be a significant manufacturing step forward from the current 3nm class. He also references a new packaging design, which can matter for sustained performance and efficiency.

Node shrinks are easy to oversimplify as “smaller equals faster,” but the real iPhone benefit is often performance per watt. When a chip does more work while using less power, you tend to get some combination of:

  • Better battery life in everyday mixed use
  • Less heat under sustained camera use, gaming, navigation, and hotspot scenarios
  • More headroom for on-device AI features and real-time video processing

Why the packaging detail is not fluff

Packaging affects how the chip connects internally, how it communicates with memory, and how efficiently it can move data without wasting power. In a smartphone, where thermal constraints are strict and the enclosure is slim, packaging can be the difference between “fast for 10 seconds” and “fast for 10 minutes.”

The honest caveat

2nm is expensive, and first-generation nodes can have yield constraints early in a cycle. That’s one reason the rumor ecosystem increasingly suggests Apple might prioritize the most premium models for the newest process technology first. If iPhone 18 Pro gets the A20 Pro on 2nm, it becomes a clean differentiator, not just a routine yearly bump.

4) N2 wireless chip: the sequel to iPhone 17’s N1 transition

The iPhone 17 Pro models already made a notable shift by adopting Apple’s N1 wireless networking chip for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread. Apple’s published specs for iPhone 17 Pro list Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, and media reporting around N1 emphasized Apple’s aim for efficiency and reliability improvements.

Pu’s claim is that iPhone 18 Pro moves to N2. The catch is that nobody credible is yet attaching a detailed feature list to N2. That doesn’t make the rumor useless. It simply changes how you should interpret it.

What N2 could realistically improve

  • Stability under congestion: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth reliability in crowded environments is one of the most noticeable “invisible” upgrades.
  • Power efficiency: radios run constantly; small efficiency gains compound into real battery improvements.
  • Better handoffs: roaming between access points, switching networks, and keeping hotspot behavior consistent.
  • Accessory behavior: smoother interaction with Bluetooth audio, wearables, trackers, and smart-home hubs (especially with Thread).

In short: N2 probably won’t be the headline spec you buy a phone for. But it might become the “quality of life” upgrade you appreciate every single day, particularly if you live in a dense city, commute often, or rely on hotspot and wireless accessories.

5) C2 modem: Apple’s next step toward owning the cellular stack

Pu’s list includes the C2 modem, described as Apple’s third-generation cellular modem following the earlier C1 and C1X efforts in other iPhone models. This is the part of the rumor bundle that could have the biggest practical consequences—both positive and risky.

What iPhone 17 Pro uses today

Reporting tied to a teardown video indicates the iPhone 17 Pro Max uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon X80 modem, and that the same modem is likely across the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro as well. The same reporting also notes that mmWave availability is region-specific (commonly limited to U.S. models), while many markets rely on sub-6GHz 5G.

What “C2” could mean

If Apple ships iPhone 18 Pro models with its own C2 modem, it suggests Apple believes its in-house cellular performance has matured enough for the flagship Pro tier. Best-case, that translates to:

  • Better power efficiency during heavy data use (streaming, hotspot, navigation, cloud sync)
  • More consistent performance when signal conditions are challenging
  • Tighter integration with Apple silicon and iOS radio management, which can improve standby and background behavior

Why this is also the rumor with the most “wait for testing” energy

Cellular modems are notoriously hard. Real-world performance depends on carrier bands, tower density, interference, firmware maturity, and regional certification. Even if C2 is a genuine plan, the first iPhone Pro generation that adopts it will be scrutinized heavily—especially by people who travel or live in weak-signal areas.

Translation: if you upgrade every year and you care most about camera and chip improvements, iPhone 18 Pro could be compelling. But if your top priority is cellular performance consistency, you’ll want independent reviews and real-world testing before you declare C2 a win.

What might stay the same

Not every iPhone generation is a redesign year. Broader rumor roundups suggest iPhone 18 Pro models may keep a similar overall shape to iPhone 17 Pro, including the general triple-camera approach and the same size classes.

That pattern fits Apple’s typical rhythm: change the front experience (smaller cutout), move the platform forward (2nm chip), and add at least one camera capability that can be explained simply in a keynote (variable aperture), while the industrial design remains familiar and refined.

How big is the upgrade, really?

If you already own an iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max, the iPhone 18 Pro decision likely comes down to how much you value three things: camera control, efficiency, and connectivity evolution.

For photographers and creators

Variable aperture is the most “creative” rumored change. If Apple makes it meaningful—either through manual controls, smarter auto behavior, or both—it could improve exposure in mixed lighting and make portraits and close-ups look more natural. If Apple implements it as a limited two-step switch, it may still help, but it will feel less revolutionary.

For performance and battery-life seekers

The A20 Pro on 2nm is the kind of upgrade that tends to “show up everywhere” even when you can’t point to a single killer feature. Apps launch faster, cameras process faster, games sustain frame rates longer, and your phone feels cooler under stress. If Apple uses the efficiency headroom to expand on-device AI, 2nm becomes even more valuable.

For connectivity-heavy users

N2 and C2 are the upgrades you’ll feel if you live on hotspots, travel frequently, stream constantly, or rely on wireless accessories. They are also the upgrades you should treat with the most caution until launch reviews land—because radios can be brilliant or problematic depending on implementation.

Buying advice: should you wait for iPhone 18 Pro?

Here’s a simple way to decide without overthinking it.

You should consider waiting if…

  • You want a more refined front design and you’re tired of the current Dynamic Island footprint.
  • You care about camera flexibility and would actually use variable aperture (or you want better indoor motion and exposure consistency).
  • You’re chasing efficiency: better thermals, better battery behavior, and stronger sustained performance.
  • You’re intrigued by Apple’s modem roadmap and want to see what a mature Apple cellular stack looks like in a Pro iPhone.

You should feel fine buying iPhone 17 Pro now if…

  • Your current phone is several generations old and you want a major upgrade immediately.
  • You value proven modem behavior over first-gen transitions—especially if your carrier environment is difficult.
  • You want Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Apple’s N1 wireless platform today.

The most rational upgrade strategy for most people is still simple: buy when your current phone is no longer meeting your needs. Rumors are useful for timing—but they shouldn’t trap you into waiting forever.

FAQ

Is iPhone 18 Pro really launching in September?

September is the most common expectation because Apple typically introduces new flagship iPhones in the fall. Reporting around Pu’s note also repeats September 2026 as the likely window, but Apple has not confirmed a date.

Will the Dynamic Island disappear entirely on iPhone 18 Pro?

There are conflicting rumors. The specific analyst summary discussed here points to a smaller Dynamic Island enabled by moving one Face ID component under the display, which implies reduction rather than total removal.

Will variable aperture make iPhone photos look like a DSLR?

It can help, but it won’t turn a phone into a large-sensor camera. The more realistic expectation is better exposure flexibility and potentially more natural-looking depth effects, especially when combined with Apple’s computational photography.

Is Apple’s C2 modem guaranteed to be better than Qualcomm?

Not guaranteed. Apple’s modem progress is a long-term strategy, but cellular performance is complicated and varies by region and carrier. If C2 lands in iPhone 18 Pro, independent testing will be the most trustworthy way to judge it.

Sources

Reader note: these links are here so you can check the original reporting and the confirmed iPhone 17 Pro specification baseline.