Processor and Performance

Apple is working on a next-generation version of the iPad mini (codename J510/J511) that features the A19 Pro chip, according to information found in code that Apple mistakenly shared in August.

Apple’s A19 Pro chip has since debuted in the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro models. The iPhone 17 Pro models include the higher-end version of Apple’s A19 Pro chip with a 6-core CPU and a 6-core GPU, while the iPhone Air uses a mid-tier A19 Pro chip with one fewer GPU core than the A19 Pro chip used in the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max.

If the code leak is accurate for the iPad mini 8, Apple is likely to use the mid-tier A19 Pro chip found in the iPhone Air. This is based on the fact that the A17 Pro chip used in the iPad mini 7 has a 6-core CPU with two high-performance cores and four efficiency cores, along with a 5-core GPU, compared to the 6-core GPU found on the A17 Pro used in the iPhone 15 Pro.

Apple built the A19 Pro chip on an upgraded third-generation 3-nanometer N3P process for modest speed and efficiency improvements. The chip includes a 16-core Neural Engine, next-generation dynamic caching, and unified image compression.

The GPU in the A19 Pro has an upgraded architecture with a larger cache, more memory, and Neural Accelerators that are built into each core. Apple says that this change provides 3× the peak GPU compute over the prior-generation chip. There’s also an upgraded 16-core Neural Engine for AI tasks.

There is an outside chance that Apple opts for the A20 Pro chip for the new iPad mini. The claim has been made by a MacRumors tipster who analyzed a macOS kernel debug kit containing internal Apple codenames. However, the iPad mini has not always received Apple’s newest A-series chip at the time it was updated, so the A19 Pro cannot be ruled out at this time. iPhone 18 Pro models are also expected to use the A20 Pro chip, which will reportedly be fabricated with TSMC’s advanced 2nm process.

Display

Apple’s plan to transition the ‌‌iPad mini‌‌ from an LCD to an OLED display is widely rumored. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the small form-factor tablet is likely to be the next Apple device to adopt OLED. According to a Chinese leaker with sources in Apple’s supply chain, Apple has evaluated a Samsung-made OLED display for its next iPad mini model.

It remains unclear whether the iPad mini 8 will feature a higher refresh rate than the 60Hz LCD display used in the existing iPad mini 7, but since the new base iPhone 17 now uses a 120Hz ProMotion panel, it would be reasonable to expect the same on the first OLED iPad mini. A separate report has suggested the ‌‌‌iPad mini 8‌‌‌’s screen could increase in size from 8.3 inches to 8.7 inches with the adoption of OLED.

OLED panels can individually control each pixel, resulting in more precise color reproduction and deeper blacks compared to other common display technologies. They also provide superior contrast, faster response times, better viewing angles, and greater design flexibility. All of Apple’s flagship iPhones use OLED panels, and in May 2024 the company brought the display technology to the iPad Pro for the first time.

Unlike Apple’s ‌iPad Pro‌ models, which feature two-stack low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) OLED panels‌, the ‌iPad mini‌ may have a single-stack low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) panel, which would make it dimmer.

Chassis Design

Apple is reportedly working to give the iPad mini 8 a more water-resistant design, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The updated casing would bring protection levels closer to those of the iPhone, making the tablet safer for use in damp environments.

To achieve this, Apple is said to have designed a new vibration-based speaker system that eliminates the need for traditional speaker holes. By using sound-emitting surfaces instead of open grilles, the company can reduce potential entry points for water and dust, resulting in a more sealed, durable enclosure.

On the iPhone, Apple relies on adhesives and gaskets to shield speakers and other openings from moisture. The iPad mini’s approach appears to go further, doing away with the holes altogether. Current iPad mini models lack any official IP rating, but the upcoming version could mark the first in the lineup to feature a certified level of water protection.

Apple patents could offer further clues to the new design direction. For example, a 2014 patent outlines a “mechanically actuated panel acoustic system” that vibrates flat surfaces to generate sound, effectively turning parts of a device’s chassis into a speaker diaphragm. This could potentially allow Apple to produce audio without visible speaker holes. The patent suggests Apple has been building towards a sealed, vibration-based acoustic system for several years.

Release Date

According to research firm Omdia, the ‌‌iPad mini‌‌ is expected to adopt an OLED display in 2027. However, Korea’s ET News and ZDNET Korea have both suggested that the iPad mini will be updated with an OLED display in 2026. Bloomberg has also said the update could come as soon as this year.

The most recent word on the subject comes from Weibo-based leaker Instant Digital, who claims the OLED iPad mini will be launched in the second half of 2026 at the earliest.

In May 2024, it was reported that Samsung Display had started developing sample OLED panels for a future ‌iPad mini‌, with plans to initiate mass production at its facility in Cheonan in the second half of 2025. The same report claimed that Apple will bring an OLED panel to the iPad Air alongside the ‌iPad mini‌ in 2026.

That outlook differs slightly from a December report by analyst firm Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) that said an 8.5-inch OLED iPad mini is planned for a 2026 launch, while 11-inch and 13-inch OLED iPad Air models are expected to follow in 2027.

Ultimately, there are no rumors suggesting exactly when the next ‌iPad mini‌ will be released, but a launch in 2026, possibly alongside new ‌iPad Air‌ models in the first half of the year, is certainly a possibility.

Pricing

Apple’s ‌iPad mini‌ with OLED display technology and improved water resistance is expected to be more expensive, and Apple could charge up to $100 more for the device, according to Bloomberg‘s Gurman. The ‌iPad mini‌ is currently priced starting at $499. Gurman has previously argued that Apple should consider a lower-end version of the mini, or at least a change to its current $499 starting price, given that it’s up against rival products that cost a lot less.

However, Apple users who are looking for a more affordable option should probably consider the 10th-generation iPad instead. Starting at $329, the iPad offers many iPad mini features, such as Touch ID and Center Stage, but at a lower price that balances functionality and affordability.

See also: iPhone 18: Everything We Know

The post OLED iPad Mini: Everything We Know appeared first on nerdsmodo.

• Coming in September 2026, the iPhone 18 lineup will include Apple’s first foldable iPhone.

iPhone 18 – 2026

With the iPhone 18 lineup planned for 2026, Apple is making major changes. There will be tweaks to the launch timelines of the different iPhone models, plus Apple is planning to introduce its first-ever foldable iPhone.

The full iPhone 18 lineup is expected to include the iPhone 18, the low-cost iPhone 18e, the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the all-new iPhone 18 Fold, though naming for the new foldable hasn’t been established. That’s a lot of iPhones, so the four more expensive models will launch in fall 2026 and the less expensive models will follow in early 2027. The iPhone 18 Air, Pro, Pro Max, and Fold will come in September 2026, while the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e will launch in 2027.

A Split Launch Strategy

With the iPhone 18 lineup, Apple is changing the timing for new iPhone releases. The more expensive iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will launch in the fall of 2026 as usual, alongside the new foldable iPhone, but the more affordable iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e models won’t arrive until spring 2027. Customers who want to upgrade during the standard fall timeline will need to opt for one of the pricier iPhone models, while those who want a better deal will have to wait.

The First Foldable iPhone

Multiple rumors suggest that Apple’s first foldable iPhone will launch in the fall of 2026, with the device arriving alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models. It’s not clear what Apple plans to name the device at this time, but people have taken to calling it the "iPhone Fold" for now.

Design and Display

The first foldable iPhone will open up book style, which means it will have a smaller outer display and then a larger, wider inner display. Design-wise, it will be similar to the Pixel Fold or the Galaxy Fold.

When folded, the iPhone will have a display that’s around 5.3 inches, and when open, it will have a much larger 7.6-inch display. It could be as thin as 4.5mm when unfolded, and around 9mm when it is closed, though rumors have differed on thickness. Ming-Chi Kuo thinks it will be 4.5mm, while Weibo leaker Instant Digital says it’s going to measure in at 4.8mm thick when open. Keeping the foldable iPhone thin has been a priority for Apple when designing the device.

The outer display will be usable when the device is closed, but opening it up will provide access to the larger inner display. Apple is expected to use a titanium casing, and the design is meant to minimize creasing.

Apple will use ultra-thin glass for the foldable iPhone, with Samsung set to create the displays. The outer display is expected to have a hole-punch rear camera, while the inner display will use under-display camera technology.

Analyst Jeff Pu believes the foldable iPhone will have a frame made from titanium and aluminum. Apple could use titanium for the stress-bearing parts of the frame to ensure that it doesn’t bend, and aluminum in other areas for heat dissipation and to keep weight low.

No Crease

Rumors suggest the first foldable iPhone will have no visible crease or a nearly invisible crease, unlike most foldable devices on the market. Apple pursued eliminating the crease regardless of cost, and ensuring no crease is one reason it took Apple so long to design a foldable iPhone.

Apple is using a combination of titanium and stainless steel for the hinge, along with liquid metal. The design minimizes creasing and improves durability.

No Face ID

The foldable iPhone is rumored to use Touch ID instead of Face ID, because there isn’t space for the Face ID hardware in the device. Instead, Touch ID could be built into a button on the device, similar to how Apple’s iPad mini works.

Mockups

A 3D printed mockup version of the iPhone Fold provides an idea of what the device will look like. The mockup isn’t spot on because we don’t know Apple’s exact specifications for the iPhone Fold as of yet, but it is in line with multiple rumors that we’ve heard at 7.6 inches when open and 5.5 inches when closed.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.

It’s smaller than the iPhone mini, but it will have the largest display of an iPhone to date. It’s rumored to have a 4:3 aspect ratio, and it will be short and wide, featuring a book-like form factor.

Rear Camera

The foldable iPhone camera will have a Main lens and an Ultra Wide lens with no Telephoto lens. Rumors suggest that both lenses will be 48 megapixels, which isn’t too surprising because current iPhone models have 48-megapixel lenses.

Front Camera

The iPhone Fold’s interior display will reportedly have a 24-megapixel under-display camera, which would be an industry first. Some Android devices use under-display cameras, but not at that high resolution.

The exterior screen will have a hole punch cutout for a front-facing camera that can be used when the iPhone is closed.

Battery Life

The foldable iPhone could have a battery in the 5,400 to 5,800 mAh range, which would make it the largest battery capacity that Apple has used in an iPhone. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has the current largest battery at 5,088 mAh.

Pricing

The foldable iPhone could cost nearly twice as much as the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and Apple could price it somewhere between $1,800 and $2,500, which is double what the iPhone 17 Pro costs. The latest rumors suggest it will be on the higher side of that estimate.

No SIM

Apple’s foldable iPhone won’t have a SIM slot and will instead use eSIM, much like the iPhone Air.

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max

Apple’s first foldable will see the addition of a new high-end flagship model to the iPhone lineup, but Apple is still planning to launch standard iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max devices.

Design

The iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to feature the same general design as the iPhone 17 Pro models, offering a triple-lens rear camera system with camera plateau. Rumors suggest that the Ceramic Shield area for MagSafe charging could be "slightly transparent," but it is not clear what that means.

The front of the device could look different, with either a slimmed-down Dynamic Island or no Dynamic Island at all. Apple could potentially adopt just a hole punch cutout at the top left corner of the display for the camera.

The iPhone 18 Pro Max will be thicker, which will also make it heavier. Rumors suggest that it could be the heaviest iPhone to date, weighing in at over 240 grams. The iPhone 17 Pro Max weighs 233 grams.

The iPhone 18 Pro models may not have a two-tone look like the iPhone 17 Pro models. Apple has reportedly updated the back glass to minimize the color difference between the glass and the aluminum frame for a more unified appearance.

Colors

Rumors suggest that Apple is considering three color options for the "special" iPhone 18 Pro color. Options include a brown coffee-like shade, purple, and burgundy.

Sizing

Apple isn’t expected to change the sizes of the iPhone 18 Pro models, and they will feature the same 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes as the current models.

Under-Display Face ID

There have been rumors suggesting the iPhone 18 Pro models will include under-display Face ID, with the TrueDepth camera hardware located under the display, but there has been disagreement over whether we’ll actually see the under-screen technology in 2026.

The Information’s Wayne Ma has believed that iPhone 18 Pro models will have all of the TrueDepth camera hardware under the display, with just a hole punch camera, allowing for the Dynamic Island to be removed. Other rumors suggest only some of the hardware is being moved under the display, which would mean there would still be a Dynamic Island.

Dynamic Island Rumors

With some of the Face ID components moving under the display, there are conflicting rumors about the Dynamic Island. It’s going to disappear, get smaller, or move to a new location depending on which rumor you’re looking at, so we don’t know for sure what the front of the iPhone will look like.

Here are the possibilities:

• Smaller Dynamic Island – Analyst Ross Young and other leakers believe the Dynamic Island will remain, but will be smaller in size. Only the front camera and infrared camera will be visible with the rest of the hardware under the display, allowing for a smaller size.
• No Dynamic Island – The Information‘s Wayne Ma and Chinese leakers say that iPhone 18 Pro models will have a hole punch camera at the top left of the display, with no Dynamic Island.
• Dynamic Island at Top Left – Leaker Jon Prosser says that the iPhone 18 Pro models will have a camera at the top left of the display, along with a Dynamic Island. It will supposedly move to where the time is displayed now. Functionality will remain the same, expanding from the left corner.

At this point, a smaller Dynamic Island sounds like the most plausible option given the evidence, but we’ll have to wait for further information for a clearer picture of the iPhone 18 Pro’s design.

Leaker Ice Universe has provided a mockup of the alleged size of the iPhone 18 Pro’s Dynamic Island. He claims the Dynamic Island will be 35 percent narrower than the iPhone 17 Dynamic Island, with a widget of around 13.5mm, down from 20.7mm.

Variable Aperture Camera Lens and New Sensor

The Main camera in the iPhone 18 Pro could have a variable aperture, which would provide users with more control over how their photos look. iPhone users would be able to manually adjust how much light gets to the sensor, cutting down on overexposure and providing new customization options for lighting and depth of field.

At least one of the iPhone 18 Pro models could feature a new three-layer stacked image sensor developed by Samsung. The advanced image sensor would make the camera more responsive, plus it could cut down on noise, increase dynamic range, and more.

The Main and Telephoto lenses in the iPhone 18 Pro models could feature a larger aperture, allowing for more light in poor lighting conditions.

Apple is testing an updated telephoto camera with a larger aperture. A wider aperture would let in more light for less noise, improved shutter speed, and better background separation.

Apple is allegedly considering a teleconverter to go along with the variable aperture lens planned for the iPhone 18 Pro. Teleconverters are optical elements that can be added to lenses to increase the effective focal length and improve zoom reach, but at the cost of light intake. It’s not clear how this system would be used in a smartphone.

C2 Modem

Apple’s next-generation C2 modem chip is expected in 2026, and it is expected to be more capable than the current C1 and C1X. The C2 could feature mmWave 5G connectivity, and it will be closer in performance to the Qualcomm modem chips that it will replace.

Apple’s C2 modem could add support for 5G satellite connectivity, allowing Apple to use NR-NTN, or New Radio Non-Terrestrial Networks. The NR-NTN standard can relate to direct phone-to-satellite links as well as the use of satellites as backhaul for carrier networks to extend coverage into remote areas.

The addition would perhaps allow the iPhone 18 Pro models to offer full internet access over satellite, supplementing 5G networks for increased coverage when standard networks are unavailable. Apple is planning to allow third-party apps to access a satellite connection, plus Apple Maps and the Photos app could work over satellite.

A20 Chip

The iPhone 18 Pro models and the foldable iPhone will use Apple’s A20 chip. The A20 will use TSMC’s 2nm process for power and efficiency improvements.

The transition to 2nm will allow for more transistors in each chip, which will boost performance. The A20 chips could be up to 15 percent faster and 30 percent more efficient than A19 chips.

The A20 chip will be packaged with TSMC’s Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) technology, but it’s not clear if this change will be limited to the higher-end models.

With WMCM, the A20 chips will have RAM integrated directly onto the same wafer as the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine, rather than the RAM being adjacent to the chip and connected via silicon interposer. The update to WMCM could bring faster performance for Apple Intelligence and longer battery life, while also cutting down on the size of the A20 chip to allow more space inside the iPhone for other components.

The A20 chip that Apple has planned for the iPhone 18 models could be much more expensive than prior-generation A-series chips because of the 2-nanometer technology. TSMC has apparently told Apple that 2nm chip pricing will be at least 50% higher than 3-nanometer processors because of the cost of manufacturing and equipment. The high cost could see the 2-nanometer chips restricted to higher-end iPhone 18 models.

Though some rumors suggest that Apple will only make high-end versions of its 2-nanometer chip, other rumors say Apple is planning both 2nm A20 and A20 Pro chips. The iPhone 18 could get the A20, with the iPhone 18 Pro to get the A20 Pro.

Battery Life

The iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a bigger battery and it will continue to have some of the best battery life in a smartphone. It is rumored to feature a 5,100 to 5,200 mAh battery, with additional efficiency improvements coming with the 2-nanometer A20 Pro chip.

Pricing

While RAM prices have increased, Apple is focused on cost management and plans to keep the price of the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Pro models the same as the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models.

The iPhone 17 costs $799, the iPhone 17 Pro costs $1,099, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max costs $1,199.

iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e

The lower-cost iPhone models won’t be Apple’s focus in the fall of 2026, and we know little about them other than they are in development at the current time. Apple won’t release them until spring 2027. The standard iPhone 18 models are not expected to feature design changes.

Display

The iPhone 18 will feature an improved display, and Apple is said to have unprecedentedly high requirements for brightness, which at least one supplier is struggling with.

Camera Control Button

The iPhone 18 models could have a simplified Camera Control button, which would cut down on costs. The current Camera Control button features both capacitive and pressure sensors for detecting touch gestures and pressure levels, but the next-generation version could eliminate the capacitive sensing layer. Pressure sensing would instead be used for all Camera Control functions.

iPhone 18 Air

Apple is planning to continue to offer the iPhone "Air" series, though a launch timeline for the second-generation model is unknown. It was initially rumored to be coming out alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in September 2026, but Apple allegedly delayed it because of poor sales of the first-generation model.

Apple is exploring adding a second camera to the device to make it more appealing to consumers and to justify its high price point, and it could now launch in spring 2027 alongside the iPhone 18.

Launch Date

The foldable iPhone, the iPhone 18 Pro, and the iPhone 18 Pro Max will launch in September 2026, while the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e are expected to follow in spring 2027. The second-generation iPhone Air may

The post iPhone 18: Everything We Know appeared first on nerdsmodo.

Recent leaks align with this, even suggesting ~4.8 mm fully open. For layout, one tipster says the volume buttons have moved to the top-right edge, with the power/Cam Control button on the right side (as on current iPads), and a camera "plateau" on the back left like the iPhone Air.

Display

Dual-Screen Configuration

The Fold is expected to have two displays: a cover screen and a larger interior screen. Reports agree the outer (cover) display will be around 5.5 inches, while the inner (unfolded) display will be roughly 7.8 inches (tablet-sized). (MacRumors notes a recent The Information report even gave slightly smaller figures — about 5.3″ and 7.7″ — but all sources point to a compact outer phone display and a larger inner screen.) Rumored resolutions are very high: roughly 2,713×1,920 for the inner panel and 2,088×1,422 for the outer panel. Apple is said to be layering a transparent polyimide film over ultra-thin glass for durability, reflecting standard industry practice for foldable OLED screens.

Crease Visibility

"Virtually Crease-Free" Display

A major selling point of the Fold may be its lack of a visible crease. Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple will include a metal support plate under the fold to disperse bending stress, and it will use liquid-metal in the hinge mechanism to improve durability and eliminate creasing. In fact, supply-chain reports from Apple’s manufacturing partners claim Apple has "solved the crease problem," aiming for a display that looks "virtually crease-free" when unfolded. Achieving this would mark a key mechanical engineering breakthrough compared to existing foldables.

Chassis and Hinge

Materials Strategy

Analysts agree the iPhone Fold will use premium materials for rigidity. Kuo reports the frame will be a titanium alloy, with the hinge built from a titanium + stainless steel combination. (MacRumors notes another analyst, Jeff Pu, likewise expects a hybrid design of aluminum and titanium components.) Titanium offers a very high strength-to-weight ratio, so using it in an ultra-thin body should improve stiffness and durability without adding bulk. Apple may also apply "liquidmetal" to the hinge; this amorphous alloy is stronger and harder than titanium and resists flexing, helping prevent damage over repeated folds.

Cameras

Apple’s Fold is expected to carry four cameras in total. The rear module will likely have two lenses (main and ultra-wide), both rumored at about 48 MP. There will be a front-facing camera for the cover display and another camera for the inner display. To maximize the uninterrupted interior view, the unfolded (inner) screen is believed to use an under-screen camera, while the cover (outer) screen uses a punch-hole camera (likely positioned in a top corner). This setup lets Apple avoid notches or Dynamic Island cutouts on the large inner display while still giving the folded phone a functioning front camera.

Authentication

Touch ID Instead of Face ID

Multiple sources now say Apple will omit Face ID on the Fold due to space constraints. Kuo explicitly predicts the Fold will use a Touch ID sensor in the side/power button rather than Face ID’s TrueDepth system. Foldable designs have very tight internal depth budgets (because of the hinge, dual displays, and thin chassis), and the Face ID module is quite bulky. Instead, Apple will follow its recent iPads’ approach by embedding Touch ID in a side button, trading a slight change in user experience for saved internal space.

Cellular Connectivity

C2 Modem

The iPhone Fold is expected to use Apple’s next-generation in-house "C2" 5G modem. Apple introduced its first custom modem (the C1) in the iPhone 16e, and according to reports the C2 is already under development. The C2 should bring more power-efficiency and hopefully full feature parity (including mmWave support) as Apple continues moving away from Qualcomm chipsets. As with the slim iPhone Air, the Fold reportedly won’t have a physical SIM slot — it will rely entirely on eSIM technology.

Battery and Power Efficiency

The Fold’s power system is rumored to be substantial. To save space, Apple is using denser components (for example, shrinking the display driver IC to a more advanced process) and high-density battery cells. Leaks suggest the Fold’s battery could be on the order of 5,400–5,800 mAh, which would be the largest battery ever in an iPhone (today’s max is ~5,088 mAh in the iPhone 17 Pro Max). In short, Apple appears to be prioritizing big battery life: internal components will be slimmed down and optimized so the Fold can last through a day of heavy use on its dual screens.

Color Options

So far Apple has only been testing Black and White variants of the Fold with its suppliers. That doesn’t preclude additional colors at launch, but for now it seems the initial prototypes and engineering units are limited to basic black/white finishes. Final production colors may be decided closer to release.

Pricing

All signs point to a very high price. Apple’s Foldable will be a new ultra-premium model. Estimates have generally ranged around $2,000–$2,500 in the US. (MacRumors notes UBS analysts gave a slightly lower $1,800–$2,000 range, while Fubon Research floated ~$2,399.) Ming-Chi Kuo similarly suggested the $2k–$2.5k range. Note that even component cost trends favor expensive pricing: Kuo now thinks the Fold’s complex hinge will cost Apple only about $70–$80 to produce (down from earlier $100+ estimates), but that saving likely boosts margins more than cuts retail price. At ~$2k+, the iPhone Fold would become the most expensive iPhone ever offered.

Launch Timeline

Multiple analysts predict mass production will begin in the second half of 2026. Kuo says Foxconn kicked off project development in late Q3/early Q4 2025. By late 2025 the device should be in engineering validation, with parts stocking in progress. Foxconn is expected to ramp production around Q4 2026, aiming for a fall 2026 release (as part of the next iPhone cycle). Of course, Apple is careful: Gurman notes an autumn 2026 launch is likely, but some analysts warn hinge or component issues could push final release into early 2027 if needed. In sum, the iPhone Fold looks on track for late 2026 debut, barring any serious engineering delays.

Strategic Outlook

If Apple meets these goals — a crease-free display, robust titanium frame, strong battery life, and a mature Apple-made modem — the iPhone Fold could set a new standard for foldable smartphones. Its success will hinge on solving hard manufacturing problems (especially the hinge yield and screen durability) and making sure the user experience is seamless. At a ~$2K price point, it will be a halo device: a technological showcase that could accelerate mainstream interest in foldables if it works flawlessly. Otherwise, any missteps could relegate it to a niche experiment. Either way, the upcoming iPhone Fold will be a landmark for Apple’s product lineup.

The post iPhone Fold: Everything We Know appeared first on nerdsmodo.

One thing worth noting is that Apple is reportedly planning a major change to its iPhone release cycle this year, adopting a two-phase rollout starting with the iPhone 18 series. That means the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Fold will be released in September 2026, followed by the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e in spring 2027.

Overall Design

iPhone 17 Pro Style

Rumors suggest the iPhone 18 Pro lineup will largely retain the same design as the iPhone 17 Pro models. The rear camera system will look identical to the current generation, featuring a raised "plateau" with three lenses arranged in a triangle. Display sizes are also expected to remain unchanged, with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max continuing to use 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch panels, respectively – the same dimensions introduced with the iPhone 16 Pro series. iPhone 18 Pro models could drop the current two-tone look of the rear casing found on the iPhone 17 Pro in favor of a more seamless aesthetic. For the next-generation models, Apple has apparently updated the back-glass "replacement process" to minimize the color difference between the Ceramic Shield 2 glass and the aluminum frame, resulting in a more unified appearance.

Next-Level Battery Life

Thicker Chassis

The iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a bigger battery for continued best-in-class battery life, claims a Chinese leaker. The Weibo user known as "Digital Chat Station" said that the ‌iPhone 18‌ Pro Max will have a battery capacity of 5,100 to 5,200 mAh. (The iPhone 17 Pro Max has the biggest ‌iPhone‌ battery to date at 5,088 mAh. Apple says it has a battery life of up to 39 hours.) According to another rumor, the body of the iPhone 18 Pro Max will be slightly thicker than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, raising the device’s weight to around 243 grams. That would make the iPhone 18 Pro Max approximately 3 grams more than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which is currently the heaviest model Apple has produced. A larger battery is the most likely cause.

Smaller Dynamic Island

Under-Screen Face ID?

Rumors continue to circulate about whether the iPhone 18 Pro models will introduce under-display Face ID, but reports remain divided on when the technology will actually arrive. The feature would move the TrueDepth camera system beneath the display, eliminating the need for the current Dynamic Island cutout.

According to Wayne Ma of The Information, Apple is targeting a design without a Dynamic Island, replacing it with a single pinhole camera in the upper-left corner of the screen. However, other sources dispute that claim. Display analyst Ross Young believes under-display Face ID is possible for the iPhone 18 Pro, but says a smaller Dynamic Island will still be present. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has echoed this view, reporting that the new models will feature a slimmed-down Dynamic Island rather than removing it entirely. Apple is also said to be testing new camera miniaturization technology to reduce the size of the front-facing camera currently located within the Dynamic Island.

The Weibo leaker "Ice Universe" has claimed the Dynamic Island cutout on the iPhone 18 Pro models will be approximately 35% narrower than it is on the iPhone 17 Pro models. Specifically, they said it will have a width of around 13.5mm, down from around 20.7mm

Meanwhile, Chinese leaker Instant Digital has offered yet another version of events, saying the Dynamic Island will shrink in size, but that under-display Face ID and camera technology won’t debut this year. Overall, the consensus suggests Apple may be refining the Dynamic Island before fully transitioning to an all-screen design in future generations.

A20 Pro Chip

2nm Process

The iPhone 18 Pro models will use Apple’s A20 chip, based on TSMC’s 2nm process for power and efficiency improvements. A move to 2nm fabrication increases transistor density, which will enable higher performance. The A20 series is expected to deliver roughly a 15 percent speed gain and about 30 percent better efficiency compared with the A19 series used in Apple’s iPhone 17 models.

Apple’s A20 chip will be packaged with TSMC’s Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) technology, suggesting at least some A20 chips will have RAM integrated directly onto the same wafer as the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine, rather than sitting adjacent to the chip and connected via a silicon interposer. This could contribute to faster performance for both overall tasks and Apple Intelligence, and longer battery life from improved power efficiency.

C2 Modem

Replacing Qualcomm

Apple plans to include its next-generation C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro models, according to supply chain analyst Jeff Pu. The chip will succeed the C1 modem, which debuted in the lower-cost iPhone 16e as Apple’s first in-house cellular modem, and the C1X modem chip in the iPhone Air, which Apple says is up to 2× faster than the C1. The C2 is expected to bring faster speeds, improved power efficiency, and support for mmWave 5G in the United States – a feature missing from the C1 and C1X.

Apple’s modem roadmap is part of a long-term strategy to reduce reliance on Qualcomm, which currently supplies 5G modems for the rest of the iPhone lineup. The company has been working on developing its own cellular chips for years, aiming for deeper integration and greater control over power management and performance.

New Camera Sensor

Samsung-Made

Samsung is working on a new three-layer stacked image sensor, reportedly intended for the iPhone 18. The sensor, referred to as PD-TR-Logic, integrates three layers of circuitry, which would improve camera responsiveness, reduce noise, and increase dynamic range. The leak comes from a source known as "Jukanlosreve," who claims the sensor is being developed specifically for Apple’s 2026 iPhone lineup. Sony has long been Apple’s sole image sensor supplier, so Samsung’s entry would be a big shift in the iPhone’s camera supply chain.

Variable Aperture

DSLR-Style

Apple intends to equip this year’s iPhone 18 Pro models with a variable aperture lens, according to reports. Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station claims the main rear camera – what Apple calls the 48-megapixel Fusion camera – on both iPhone 18 Pro models will offer variable aperture, which would be a first for the iPhone. A variable-aperture system physically adjusts the lens opening, letting more light in for low-light shots or narrowing the opening for brighter scenes and deeper depth of field.

The main cameras on the iPhone 15 Pro, 16 Pro, and 17 Pro all use a fixed ƒ/1.78 aperture, where the lens is permanently set to its widest setting. With a variable lens, the iPhone 18 Pro would allow users to manually shift the aperture, similar to on a DSLR camera. This would mean more control over depth of field, enabling sharper focus on subjects or smoother background blur. Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in November 2024 that Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro models will get the feature.

5G Satellite Internet

Non-Terrestrial Data

According to a report by The Information, Apple plans to add support for 5G networks that operate via satellites rather than Earth-based towers as early as next year. This advancement would allow future iPhones to gain full internet connectivity through satellite, not just limited emergency features.

If Apple meets the 2026 target, the first devices to feature 5G satellite internet would likely be the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the long-rumored foldable iPhone. Apple partners with Globalstar for its iPhone satellite features, but there is currently no service that delivers full 5G satellite internet directly to a smartphone, and the report did not specify who would supply it.

Simplified Camera Control

New Design

Apple is reportedly working to simplify the Camera Control button’s design on iPhone 18 models in order to reduce costs. The current Camera Control button on iPhone 17 models uses both capacitive and pressure sensors beneath a sapphire crystal surface. The capacitive layer detects touch gestures, while the force sensor recognizes different pressure levels for taps, presses, and swipes.

However, according to the Weibo-based account Instant Digital, Apple will remove the capacitive sensing layer and retain only pressure sensing recognition in the second iteration to achieve all Camera Control functions on the iPhone 18. The simplified version is not about reducing functionality in the button, but about saving money. The current solution is said to be very expensive for Apple and is generating costly after-sales repairs.

New Colors

Three in Testing

Apple is rumored to be testing three new color options for the iPhone 18 Pro models: burgundy, brown, and purple. A burgundy finish would mark the first time the Pro and Pro Max models have been offered in any shade of red, apart from the lighter (PRODUCT)RED used on earlier devices. The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max were previously available in Deep Purple, and Apple has never released an iPhone in a genuinely brown color.

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