The iPhone 18 Pro is looking like the iPhone 8 all over again

For the past 10 years, Apple’s iPhone strategy has been fairly predictable. Every fall, the Pro models take center stage with the best and most advanced features, while the base model offers features from previous Pro generations at a more affordable price.

But if the rumors are true, this year’s iPhone lineup will be quite different. For the first time, the Pro models won’t be the stars of the show—that’ll fall to Apple’s first folding phone. However, even though the iPhone 18 Pro won’t be the one to dominate the headlines, it’ll still be the phone everyone rushes to buy.

What the rumors say about the iPhone 18 Pro

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has repeatedly reported that the iPhone 18 Pro “won’t be a big update,” and will be comparable to the “S” phones of old. But that doesn’t mean Apple won’t include some notable new features. 

According to the latest rumors, both phones are expected to have a smaller Dynamic Island, giving slightly more screen space for content when no Live Activity is in use.

The new iPhone 18 Pro models are also expected to feature the A20 Pro chip, which will reportedly be the first based on 2-nanometer architecture. Apple has also been working on a new generation of its own 5G modem with ultrawideband support, which should arrive in the Pro models for the first time.

These improvements combined should result in better performance and longer battery life for the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, as both the A20 Pro chip and the C2 modem will be more efficient and consume less power.

We also expect a new Cherry Red color option, a main camera lens with a variable aperture for more precise control, and a slight change to the glass cutout on the back. Other than that, the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to look a lot like its predecessor. It’s unlikely to feel like a must-upgrade for anyone coming from the iPhone 17 Pro.

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What about the rest of the lineup?

Apple’s fall event may look a lot different this year. As part of a major overhaul of its iPhone launch schedule, Apple may hold back the launch of both the base iPhone 18 and the iPhone Air 2 until the first half of 2027, rather than the fall of 2026. An upgraded iPhone 18e is also expected in 2027.

But you shouldn’t expect much from the base iPhone 18 either. Rumors suggest it will feature the faster and more efficient A20 chip, an upgrade from 8GB to 12GB of RAM (which should improve AI performance), and a few other minor enhancements.

When it comes to the iPhone Air, rumors are uncertain whether Apple will release a follow-up this generation. But if they do, Apple will reportedly correct two of its biggest issues with a larger battery and a second rear camera (likely an ultra-wide lens). Of course, it will also run on the new A20 Pro chip.

That phone will also reportedly arrive next spring. So what’s left for the 2026 event?

Britta O’Boyle

The foldable iPhone

The star of this year’s show will reportedly be Apple’s first foldable iPhone. While foldable devices are nothing new on the market, this will be the first time Apple embraces such technology in its products.

According to multiple reports, the iPhone Fold (or whatever Apple decides to call it) will have a 4:3 aspect ratio when unfolded, making it look very much like an iPad mini. The device will also feature an external 5.5-inch display designed for use when folded.

To take advantage of the new form factor, Apple is likely to introduce many new iOS features exclusive to its foldable iPhone. Earlier this year, Bloomberg reported that Apple engineers have been working on a multitasking system very similar to Split View on the iPad, which allows users to run two apps side by side. Elsewhere, the device will feature a Touch ID-enabled power button instead of Face ID, and only two rear cameras. 

Still, if the rumors are correct, this will likely be one of the biggest announcements for the iPhone lineup in recent years. It’s not hard to imagine that all eyes will be on the iPhone Fold. For Apple, that attention may be the whole point.

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The iPhone 8 all over again

As with any new Apple device, fans are going to flock to Apple stores to be the first to get their hands on one. However, analysts suggest that Apple may not be able to meet initial demand for the iPhone Fold due to how complex the device is to manufacture.

Because of this, some believe that although it will be unveiled alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone Fold in September, the foldable phone might not be available until later in the year, possibly shipping as late as November or December. While this is certainly disappointing for those eager to buy the iPhone Fold, it wouldn’t be the first time Apple has introduced a radically new iPhone that arrived much later than the standard upgrade model.

Back in 2017, Apple announced the iPhone 8 and the iPhone X at the same event. While the iPhone 8 was essentially a minor update to the iPhone 7 with a new color, a new chip, and wireless charging, the iPhone X introduced a full-screen redesign with Face ID and gesture-based navigation.

However, since manufacturing for the new iPhone was a challenge in 2017, Apple needed more time to deliver enough of them to stock shelves. That’s why the iPhone 8 hit stores in September while the iPhone X didn’t arrive until November. It still sold out almost immediately, as the iPhone Fold will almost certainly do, but it was the iPhone 8 that carried sales until the iPhone XR arrived in 2018.

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A different kind of iPhone moment

That said, there’s a key difference between 2017 and now. Back then, the iPhone X represented the future of the iPhone, with the iPhone 8 quickly starting to look like outdated technology. It only took a year for the other iPhone models to adopt the same all-screen design with Face ID.

Although the idea of a foldable iPhone sounds much more exciting than yet another version of the iPhone Pro, it is unlikely to replace the idea of an iPhone for everyone.

First, there’s the cost factor. Rumors suggest that the iPhone Fold could start at $1,999. That’s significantly more than the current iPhone 17 Pro, which starts at $1,099. And even if it were cheaper, there are still other trade-offs that will make the foldable iPhone a niche product. Not everyone really feels the need to carry a mini tablet in their pocket, and not everyone is willing to give up features like better cameras or Face ID just to have a foldable phone.

The iPhone 18 Pro may not be the most exciting iPhone this year, but it will likely remain the one most people actually buy. It’s the safer choice, the more mature product, and the one that delivers consistent improvements without major compromises.

Of course, things may change in the future, especially as foldable display technology continues to improve. I’m excited to see what Apple will show the world with its first foldable iPhone, but I’ll probably be one of those who’ll still be happy buying another iPhone Pro.