First, the obvious: Apple will release at least one new iPhone in 2026. As always, though, they are keeping very quiet about what that iPhone will look like, what features it will have and even what it will be called. That hasn’t stopped the world’s finest Apple analysts, leakers and superfans from gathering intel, however. Here is a round-up of the latest new iPhone rumours, including potential pricing, release dates and expected features.

We don’t have a definitive answer, but we can make a pretty good guess based on previous launches.

Apple almost always launches new iPhone ranges in September, with the keynote event taking place in early September ahead of a mid-late September release date. In fact, every iPhone launched in the past 10 years has been unveiled in September (with the exception of the non-flagship SE range, the delayed iPhone 12 model and the launch of the new budget e series in 2026).

Looking at this year’s calendar, Tuesday 8th September would be the obvious choice, as Apple typically holds its keynote launch events on Tuesdays. However, Apple also tends to avoid national holidays and the days immediately after them, and with Labor Day falling on Monday 7th September, the usual Tuesday slot seems less likely. Instead, we expect the keynote launch event to take place on Wednesday 9th September, with the new iPhone range available to purchase the following week.

After a few years of experimenting with letters (or, more accurately, Roman numerals), Apple has seemingly settled on using numbers again. Therefore, the new range will almost certainly bear the iPhone 18 name… but you never know with Apple!

One persistent rumour suggests that Apple will eventually stop giving new iPhone models unique names and instead switch to its MacBook/iPad approach, using just the iPhone name and unofficially distinguishing devices by the year they were released.

Apple is expected to shake up its usual release schedule for the iPhone 18, splitting the range across two launches for the first time. Analysts anticipate three new iPhone devices will be unveiled in September 2026:

• iPhone 18 Pro (a more powerful version of the standard model)
• iPhone 18 Pro Max (the largest and most powerful model in the range)
• iPhone Fold/Ultra (Apple's first-ever foldable iPhone)

The standard iPhone 18 isn't expected to launch until spring 2027, when it could be joined by the more affordable iPhone 18e and a second-generation iPhone Air.

Information is still thin on the ground at the moment, but some rumours suggest we could see a price increase for the iPhone 18 range. A global shortage of memory chips, fuelled by growing demand from the AI industry, has pushed up component costs and could make the new models more expensive to manufacture.

Current predictions suggest the standard iPhone 18 could retain the iPhone 17's £799 starting price, although some analysts expect a price increase when the model launches in 2027. Current estimates suggest the iPhone 18 Pro could cost anywhere between £1,099 and £1,399, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max could start between £1,199 and £1,399. The rumoured iPhone Fold is expected to come with an even bigger price tag, with some estimates putting it at around £1,600 or more.

Design

If you were hoping for a completely new look for the iPhone 18 series, you might be disappointed. Rumours suggest the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will keep a similar overall design to their predecessors, including the large camera plateau spanning the back of the device.

There could still be a few changes, though. The Pro models are rumoured to have a more uniform finish on the back, moving away from the two-tone design of the iPhone 17 Pro range. They could also be slightly thicker to make room for larger batteries, while bigger camera lenses may be needed to accommodate some of the rumoured camera upgrades.

Finally, the all-important colours. Current rumours suggest the iPhone 18 Pro range could be available in Dark Cherry, Light Blue, Dark Grey and Silver, although we'll have to wait for the official launch to find out which colours make the cut.

Display

Rumours claim the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max will keep the same screen sizes as their predecessors, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays respectively. However, the new models could use more power-efficient LTPO+ display technology to help improve battery life.

There’s also speculation that a smaller Dynamic Island could finally appear on the iPhone 18 Pro range. Apple is rumoured to be moving some of its Face ID technology underneath the display, allowing the Dynamic Island to shrink and giving users a little more screen space.

Camera

iPhone camera technology is so good already that it’s hard to see how much better it can get… but that won’t stop Apple from trying!

One of the biggest camera upgrades rumoured for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max is a variable aperture for the main 48MP camera. This would allow the camera to control how much light enters the lens, potentially improving photos in different lighting conditions and giving users greater control over depth of field.

The Camera Control button could also get an update, with rumours suggesting Apple could simplify the design by removing the touch-sensitive controls and relying on pressure sensitivity instead.

Performance

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to receive Apple’s new A20 Pro chip, which could be manufactured using a new 2nm process. For reference, the A19 Pro chip found in the iPhone 17 Pro range uses a 3nm process, so the upgrade could bring improvements to both performance and power efficiency.

Apple’s next-generation C2 modem is also rumoured for the Pro models, which could improve 5G connectivity. There are even rumours that the new iPhones could support 5G web browsing via satellite, although we’ll have to wait and see whether the feature makes the final cut.

What won’t we get

Rumours of an all-screen iPhone have persisted for years, but it looks like 2026 still won’t be the year we get one. While Apple is reportedly working on moving Face ID components underneath the display, the latest leaks suggest the iPhone 18 Pro range will still feature the Dynamic Island - it'll just be smaller than before.

We also aren’t expecting to see the standard iPhone 18 at Apple’s September launch. In a major change to its usual release schedule, reports suggest Apple will launch the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max first, while the flagship iPhone 18 will be held back until spring 2027. The more affordable iPhone 18e and potentially a new iPhone Air are also expected to arrive alongside it.

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