The iPhone 18 is still a long way off, but early rumors are already starting to show up. The big takeaway is that the 2025 iPhone could be shaping up to be more than just a minor update.

When Could the iPhone 18 Be Released?

Apple tends to release new iPhones every September, so the iPhone 18 will likely arrive in September 2026 (the iPhone 17 out yet). This puts it two years after the latest iPhone.

Here’s why the rumors are growing:

• Apple follows a regular yearly schedule, and a 2026 release would line up with that.
• An early 2025 patent filed by Apple suggests that the company is testing a display feature that is likely for the iPhone 18, not the iPhone 17.

Is Apple Even Considering the Release of Any Kind of Phone?

Apple is known for long-term planning, so the iPhone 18 is likely already being worked on behind the scenes. Between hardware updates, chip development, and design testing, the company likely maps out iPhones years in advance.

Even though we’re still waiting on the iPhone 17, the model after that is surely in the pipeline, too.

Our Thoughts on Potential iPhone 18 Features

If some of these rumors are accurate, the iPhone 18 could end up being one of the biggest updates we’ve seen in years. Here are the features we might see:

• A variable aperture camera system to improve low-light shots and provide more control over depth of field.
• Under-display Face ID in the iPhone 18 could remove the need for a visible notch or cutout on the front.
• A new chip—likely the A20—could improve performance by 15 percent while drawing the same power as the iPhone 17’s A19.
• Apple may introduce an iPhone 18 Ultra model with exclusive features like a more advanced chip, longer battery life, or even a new design separate from the Pro line.
• A lighter or thinner overall build, depending on material choices and internal design changes.
• The iOS 19 successor will run on the iPhone 18, probably with too many Apple Intelligence features to count.
• Samsung’s imaging sensors could be used for the iPhone 18, marking a departure from its long-standing partnership with Sony.

What Industry Experts Are Saying

Analysts like Ming-Chi Kuo have surmised that the iPhone 18 Pro will get the variable aperture camera. Additionally, Kuo suggests that the iPhone 18 could benefit from TSMC’s 2nm chip technology for improved performance.

Others have talked about under-display Face ID and layout changes as signs that Apple is finally moving forward on ideas it’s tested for years.