The sales success of the iPhone 17 line makes Apple not under much pressure to refresh the iPhone 18 design. The iPhone 18 models are therefore likely to retain the current design language, while the media highlight will be the A20/A20 Pro chip generation, expected to be the first Apple Silicon chip produced on a 2nm process.
Previously, iPhone 17 Pro had a major "makeover" after two consecutive years of iPhone 15 Pro and 16 Pro almost unchanged designs. History shows that Apple often maintains one design for many generations. Therefore, it is considered unlikely that iPhone 18 Pro will continue to change sharply in design.
It is expected that iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be launched at the end of this year, with some upgrades such as smaller Dynamic Island, C2 modem, simplified camera control button, 24-megapixel front camera and main camera supporting variable aperture.
Meanwhile, the standard iPhone 18 version is expected to be launched in early 2027, inheriting many similar upgrades from high-end models.
Overall, Apple's strategy with iPhone 18 is said to continue to prioritize stability and performance rather than racing for form. In the context that the current design is still well received by the market, focusing on processing power, AI optimization capabilities and long-term usage experience can help Apple maintain the appeal of iPhone, even if external changes are not much.
