If the expected changes in Apple's iPhone release schedule are to be believed, we may see the base iPhone 18 together with the iPhone 18e in spring 2027.
Device family
Announcement
Market release
Apple iPhone 18
Spring 2027*
Spring 2027*
Apple iPhone 17
September 9, 2025
September 19, 2025
Apple iPhone 16
September 9, 2024
September 20, 2024
Apple iPhone 15
Sept 12, 2023
Sept 22, 2023
* - probable dates
A new report corroborates this rumor and attempts to answer why Apple may have chosen to release the base iPhone 18 in the spring. Reportedly, this is done to optimize resources and maximize revenue and profits from the premium models: the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.
iPhone 18 price
Recently, reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has claimed Apple may have a pleasant surprise for iPhone 18 buyers: prices may not experience a price hike.
At least, according to the tipster, Apple may try to keep the prices as steady as possible.
iPhone model
128GB of storage
256GB of storage
512GB of storage
1TB of storage
iPhone 18
-
$799*
$999*
-
iPhone 17
-
$799
$999
-
iPhone 16
$799
$899
$999
-
*- anticipated prices
The current economic situation and the rising prices of chips may influence price hikes across the industry. However, currently it is believed that Apple will try to avoid price hikes, at least when it comes to the starting prices of the upcoming iPhone 18. Earlier rumors indicate higher-capacity models may get a price hike, though.
iPhone 18 camera
There's still not much info about the iPhone 18’s cameras. The Pro models might get a variable aperture, but that has not been mentioned about the regular iPhone.
For reference, the iPhone 17 brought some noticeable camera upgrades: a new 48 MP ultra-wide lens and an improved selfie camera with Center Stage support. Given those recent changes, it's likely that Apple will stick with the same camera setup for the iPhone 18.
Rumors indicate that we may see a 24 MP front camera upgrade, though.
iPhone 18 expected camera setup:
48 MP main camera
48 MP ultra-wide cameras
24 MP Center Stage front camera
The iPhone 17 fared really well in our tests for our review. The camera is dependable and reliable, producing great dynamics in well-lit scenes and decent low-light images. As for video, the iPhone 17 maxes out at 4K@60fps, which is not the 120fps of the Pro-branded model, but still great.
iPhone 18 storage
iPhone 18 expected storage capacity:
256 GB
512 GB
This year, Apple removed the entry-level 128GB of storage for the iPhone 17. Now you can choose between 256 and 512GB of storage, and we think the same configuration will be kept for the iPhone 18. It's a bit early to tell for certain, but it appears that a 1TB option isn't likely.
There are no leaks regarding the iPhone 18 design currently, apart from a potentially tweaked Camera Control button. Earlier this year, rumors said that Apple may get rid of the Camera Control button it introduced with the iPhone 16. However, newer leaks indicate that instead of getting rid of it, Apple may just change it a bit.
Tipster Instant Digital claims that Apple may remove the capacitive sensor from the button and instead use pressure sensing to simplify the design while still achieving all button functions.
The new approach the Cupertino tech giant may use would be similar to that on devices like the Oppo Find X8 Ultra, where pressure sensors recognize light taps, firm presses, and sliding gestures.
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Meanwhile, the Dynamic Island may also undergo some changes, according to rumors. Reportedly, there may be a smaller pill for the iPhone 18's Dynamic Island. Earlier rumors said an under-display Face ID may be in the cards for the iPhone 18, but if true, I'd reckon this would debut first with the Pro-branded models, so I expect just a smaller pill for the iPhone 18.
Apart from that, presently, we expect the iPhone 18 design to remain similar to the iPhone 17. Thus, we expect the same glass sandwich approach, the same recognizable look, and some cool colors to choose from, although these have not leaked just yet.
European buyers are said to get eSIM-only iPhones with the iPhone 18, just like buyers in the States. That would help the Cupertino giant offer larger batteries by taking advantage of the free space that used to be reserved for the physical SIM slot.
iPhone 18 display
Phone Name
Screen size
Brightness
iPhone 18
6.3-inches*
3,000*
iPhone 17
6.3-inches
3,000
* - anticipated sizes
The iPhone 18 will probably stick with the same 6.3-inch OLED Super Retina XDR screen as the iPhone 17. That’s a little bigger than the iPhone 16’s 6.1-inch display, thanks to thinner edges around the screen. Apple might make it even nicer on the iPhone 18 by slimming the edges a bit more, giving you a more immersive view.
One big upgrade that came with the iPhone 17 was the ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate – a feature that used to be just for the Pro models. Now, it’s on the regular model too, and the iPhone 18 should keep it. This makes everything feel smoother, from scrolling to animations, and it works with the always-on display as well.
iPhone 18 battery
The iPhone 17. | Image by PhoneArena
The iPhone 17's battery capacity is 3,692 mAh, and in terms of performance, it does overall the same job as the iPhone 16.
iPhones are usually excellent at optimizing performance and battery life, and Apple's new Apple Intelligence-powered battery features help you conserve even more battery life. We expect those to be present on the iPhone 18, and even improved potentially.
We also have the 2nm A20 chip that's potentially going to power the iPhone 18, which will be an efficient chip. This could also help prolong battery life on the iPhone.
Despite that, however, iPhones are relatively behind some competitors when it comes to battery size. And Cupertino may be looking to change this. A recent rumor indicates that Apple is working on a new type of battery for the iPhone 18. Hints indicate it could be a "pure silicon" battery, which would be something entirely new on the market.
The rumor claims Apple plans to do that to celebrate the symbolic nature of the 20th anniversary model. It is not currently known if this tech would come to fruition in time for the iPhone 18 or if Apple will choose this path at all.
As for the predecessors, in our battery life tests, the iPhone 17 performed similarly to the iPhone 16, scoring 16 hours and 47 minutes of continuous browsing, 7 hours and 19 minutes of video streaming, and 7 hours and 40 minutes of gaming.
Obviously, that's far from some of its competitors like the Galaxy S25, but it's still dependable and can last through the day with regular usage.
iPhone 18 features and software
The iPhone 18 is expected to come with iOS 27, which we've not had rumors or leaks about just yet. iOS 26 brought a huge redesign along with the rebranding of all Apple OSes. There's the new Liquid Glass look and tweaks across the board. So potentially, iOS 27 is going to refine that and not introduce another new design.
Apple Intelligence features have been behind the competition, and the context-aware Siri Apple teased for the iPhone 16 is yet to materialize. So, we can hope that with the iPhone 18, we may see some serious advances in this department. Nevertheless, Apple has chosen to prioritize privacy, and I'm quite on board with that idea.
The iPhone 17 brought an upgrade in charging speeds and can now charge at up to 40W with a compatible charger, which is double the charging speed of the iPhone 16.
Rumors are yet to tell us if Apple is planning another upgrade with the iPhone 18 here, but it's more likely things will stay similar for at least one more generation.
Of course, the iPhone 18 will likely support MagSafe and Qi2 charging. Maybe we'll see an upgrade in the wireless charging speed (maxes out at 25W on the iPhone 17), but it's a bit early to tell for certain. We do hope for improvements on that front, though, as some Chinese brands now offer 100W charging and huge batteries thanks to SiC batteries.
As for RAM, the iPhone 17 keeps the 8GB of RAM, while all the other models in the iPhone 17 series jump to 12 GB. Potentially, Apple may upgrade the iPhone 18's RAM to 12 GB in 2027 (or 2026, depending on when it releases the base iPhone 18).
Should I wait for the iPhone 18?
You should wait for the iPhone 18 ifyou're currentlyrockingthe iPhone 15 or 16 and you're notfascinated bythe changes in the iPhone 17.We may see some additional enhancements with the iPhone 18, so it may be worth the wait. Also, if you are not due for an upgrade immediately (you have the iPhone 16 or just bought the iPhone 17).
You should not wait for the iPhone 18 ifyou like what the iPhone 17 brings, and you have an older iPhoneandreallyneedtoupgrade.After all, there's more than a year to wait for the iPhone 18, and if you have an older iPhone, there's no reason to wait for that long.After all, the iPhone 17bringsProMotion and a new ultra-wide camera,anditsounds likeagoodupgrade if you needto get aphone right now.
Izzy, a tech enthusiast and a key part of the PhoneArena team, specializes in delivering the latest mobile tech news and finding the best tech deals. Her interests extend to cybersecurity, phone design innovations, and camera capabilities. Outside her professional life, Izzy, a literature master's degree holder, enjoys reading, painting, and learning languages. She's also a personal growth advocate, believing in the power of experience and gratitude. Whether it's walking her Chihuahua or singing her heart out, Izzy embraces life with passion and curiosity.
