iPhone 18 Pro is still a few months away from launching, but out of the rumored new features so far, there are three upgrades I’m especially excited about.
#1: A20 Pro chip #
Most years, the iPhone’s new chip isn’t especially high on the list of features that excite me. But with iPhone 18 Pro, things are different.
The rumored A20 Pro chip coming this year is expected to be a bigger-than-usual upgrade. That’s thanks to a new 2nm fabrication process and WMCM packaging.
It’s not just the potential for big performance and efficiency gains that excites me though. It’s also the fact that iOS 27’s Apple Intelligence features should benefit a lot from the new chip.
Siri AI and the many other new AI features are cutting-edge enough that certain aspects of them require the current-best iPhone chip: A19 Pro.
With such demanding software, I have no doubt that A20 Pro will make a noticeable difference for iOS 27 users.
#2: Camera upgrades #
iPhone 18 Pro could offer “some of the biggest camera hardware upgrades in the lineup’s history,” per Mark Gurman.
New features are rumored for my two most-used cameras:
- Main camera is getting variable aperture
- Telephoto camera has a larger aperture
The improved Main camera is reportedly also the reason iPhone 18 Pro’s plateau will be noticeably thicker. It may be 2mm thicker or more due primarily to an “enlarged main camera module.”
Though we don’t have all the details, it sounds like the Main camera will improve in bigger ways than just variable aperture. And the Telephoto upgrades should make it perform better in low light.
The camera is one of iPhone’s most important features, so I’m eager to see what iPhone 18 Pro brings.
#3: C2 modem #
Apple began transitioning away from Qualcomm 5G modems with the iPhone 16e last year. iPhone Air and iPhone 17e continued the trend.
iPhone 17 Pro still uses Qualcomm modems, but rumors indicate Apple’s next-generation C2 modem will debut in the iPhone 18 Pro.
C2 is an especially interesting new feature for several reasons.
First, it’s expected to be the modem that Apple uses to fully phase out Qualcomm. That means it should match or perhaps exceed the capabilities of the current best modems.
Second, 5G satellite support is rumored to be part of C2, likely to power several new satellite-related features.
Finally, Apple has already shown that its in-house modems bring exclusive benefits, like battery gains and new privacy features. I’m interested to see if C2 will add anything to that list as part of the iPhone 18 Pro marketing pitch.
Which rumored iPhone 18 Pro features are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments.
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