iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max launch just days away, everything to expect from Apple on Sept 9

Apple is set to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max at its September 9 event. From the 2nm A20 Pro chip to a potential memory driven price hike, here is everything to expect.Apple to unveil iPhone 18 Pro series on September 9. (Representational image created using AI)The countdown for Apple’s “Surprise and Shine” event has officially begun. September 9 is five more days away, when the Cupertino-based tech giant is set to unveil its next-generation iPhone 18 Pro lineup. And if we go by the rumour mill, Apple is gearing to shake up its tradition playbook. We may not see the standard iPhone 18 in the event; instead, the company could release it next year. This year, the iPhone maker could only unveil three smartphones that are: iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a still rumoured Apple’s first foldable iPhone.But while the Pro models are expected to pack serious hardware, a looming global supply shock might gatecrash the party. Here is everything we know so far about the iPhone 18 Pro lineup ahead of the big day.iPhone 18 Pro designLet’s begin with the first thing you see in a mobile when you pick it up – design. And in case of upcoming iPhones, don’t expect Apple to tear up the blueprint just yet. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are tipped to stick with their 6.3inch and 6.9inch display sizes, brushed aluminium frames, and that unmistakable camera island on the back. That said, dummy units floating around supply chains suggest the camera plateau itself might bulge just a hair thicker this time around.Around the front, whispers persist about a slimmer Dynamic Island, with Apple inching closer to tucking Face ID hardware beneath the glass. Underneath, the displays are tipped to switch to LTPO+ panels, quietly trimming power draw while keeping scrolling buttery smooth at 120Hz. CameraThe biggest headline on the camera front is physical variable aperture. Apple is reportedly testing a primary lens that physically expands and contracts to control incoming light. That translates to genuine, optical depthoffield control rather than just relying on portraitmode software trickery.The setup is rounded out by a largeraperture telephoto sensor, a stacked image sensor to tame digital noise in low light, and a potential teleconverter accessory for mobile shutterbugs. Zoom duties might diverge between the siblings: the Pro Max is tipped to stretch to a 6x optical reach, while the smaller Pro sticks with 5x. Both will likely keep 48megapixel triple sensors and the 18megapixel Center Stage front camera, alongside subtle design tweaks to the stillpolarising Camera Control button.iPhone 18 Pro chipset and battery Driving the flagships is the upcoming A20 Pro chip, slated to be Apple’s first silicon fabricated on TSMC’s cutting edge 2nm node. Early engineering metrics point to an 18 per cent jump in compute speed and a 30 per cent gain in power efficiency over the A19, vital numbers if you plan to run local Apple Intelligence workflows without turning your phone into a pocket warmer.Apple is also tipped to package the silicon using a waferlevel MultiChip Module setup, physically shifting the RAM closer to the core architecture. Think of it like knocking down a wall in a cramped flat to make the layout breathe easier. Joining the A20 Pro is Apple’s proprietary C2 modem, expanding integrated satellite connectivity to keep you connected when standard cellular towers drop out of reach.Battery capacities are also trending upward: the USbound iPhone 18 Pro Max could pack a hefty 5,567mAh cell (up from the 5,088mAh unit inside the iPhone 17 Pro Max), which, when married to the 2nm silicon, should deliver noticeable real-world endurance.iPhone 18 Pro price hike looks unavoidableApple has kept flagship iPhone prices steady over recent cycles, but that run might end this year. The tech world is caught in a memory crunch dubbed the “RAMpocalypse,” driven by massive demand from AI data centres. A recent TrendForce report notes memory component costs for the 256GB Pro model are up nearly 400 per cent year-on-year. Even with Apple negotiating discounts elsewhere, analysts say passing on some costs to consumers seems inevitable.In the US, reports point to a hike of around $100 to $150, which will directly impact Indian retail shelves. For context, the iPhone 17 Pro launched in India at Rs 1,34,900, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max started at Rs 1,49,900.Factoring in higher hardware costs and taxes, the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to start between Rs 1,39,900 and Rs 1,44,900. The larger iPhone 18 Pro Max is tipped to jump to Rs 1,54,900 or even touch Rs 1,59,900. Apple may absorb some pressure to soften the blow, but Indian buyers should still brace for a higher entry price on September 9.- EndsPublished On: Sep 4, 2026 13:13 IST