A20 Pro Chipset Leaks Point to Big Performance and Efficiency Gains
Fresh leaks suggest Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro will be powered by a significantly upgraded chipset. According to tipster Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo, the A20 Pro chip will deliver around 18% higher performance than the A19 Pro while consuming up to 30% less power. The chip is expected to be manufactured using TSMC's 2nm process and its new Gate-All-Around (GAA) technology, as reported by GSMArena.com and India Today.
These improvements could give Apple more headroom for demanding tasks like gaming and on-device AI without draining the battery. However, the new manufacturing process is said to be significantly more expensive, which could push up the iPhone 18 Pro's bill of materials by as much as 40%, according to a GSMArena.com report. Combined with the ongoing memory shortage, this could drive the starting price to a reported $1,399.
Launch Timeline and Other Expected Upgrades
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to arrive in September, with September 9 currently being tipped as a possible launch date, as reported by India Today. Apple has not yet confirmed the details.
Beyond the chipset, leaks describe a range of other upgrades. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is rumored to get a battery of around 5,425mAh in the US version, while variants with a physical SIM slot could get 5,235mAh. That compares with reported capacities of 5,088mAh and 4,823mAh for different iPhone 17 Pro Max versions, working out to roughly a 10% increase, according to India Today.
Apple is also reportedly preparing its second-generation in-house 5G modem, known as the C2, for the iPhone 18 Pro. The modem is expected to improve power efficiency and network performance, and could introduce features such as more control over precise location sharing, as detailed by Times Now.
The camera system is another area of focus. Leaker Fixed Focus Digital has suggested the main camera setup will be significantly larger, with the camera area on the back becoming more than 2mm thicker because of the enlarged module. This could be linked to a variable aperture system, a feature that Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has previously suggested could arrive in the iPhone 18 Pro lineup as part of some of its most significant camera hardware upgrades yet. According to India Today, leaker Ice Universe claims the variable aperture camera could be exclusive to the Pro Max because the hardware needs additional space.
Other rumored camera details include 48-megapixel sensors for the main, ultra-wide and telephoto cameras, and an 18-megapixel front camera with Center Stage, though these are from a single source and not yet corroborated.
Design and Connectivity Rumors
Leaks also point to a smaller Dynamic Island, with Face ID components potentially moving beneath the display. Times Now reports that the Dynamic Island could be around 35% smaller, citing 9To5Mac. The display could also get an efficiency boost through LTPO+ technology, according to India Today.
Apple could simplify the Camera Control button by removing some touch-sensitive components while keeping the main camera controls, and the company is exploring satellite-based 5G connectivity for the iPhone 18 Pro, as reported by India Today.
New colours are also on the cards, with Times Now reporting that a dark cherry or burgundy finish could be introduced.
Price Expectations in India
Pricing remains speculative, but reports suggest the iPhone 18 Pro could start around Rs 1,39,900 in India, compared with the current iPhone 17 Pro starting price of Rs 1,34,900. Some leaks point to a possible increase of Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 depending on the model and storage configuration. The iPhone 18 Pro Max could reportedly start around Rs 1,54,900, according to India Today.
As with any pre-release information, all of these details remain unconfirmed until Apple makes an official announcement. The company is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 series next month.