Overview
- Multiple outlets, citing Weibo leaker Fixed Focus Digital, report trial (small-scale) production for the iPhone 18 will begin after the Lunar New Year break in late February 2026, a timeline not confirmed by Apple.
- Production lines for iPhone 18 Pro models are said to be already prepared, signaling that Pro hardware is largely finalized and external changes are expected to be modest versus iPhone 17 Pro.
- Coverage continues to point to a staggered launch, with iPhone 18 Pro models targeted for September 2026 and the standard iPhone 18 and 18e following in spring 2027, though a newer report claims the base model could arrive in spring 2026.
- Rumored Pro features include testing of under-display Face ID and the A20 Pro chip built on TSMC’s 2nm process, though some reports dispute a punch-hole camera or full removal of the Dynamic Island.
- Other leaks suggest a variable aperture camera, a new three-layer stacked image sensor from Samsung, Apple’s in-house C2 modem, a simplified Camera Control button, and a possible 12GB RAM upgrade for the standard model.