While Apple’s newest flagship, the iPhone 17 series, has only just been released, the tech world is already buzzing about its next step. A new leak from reliable sources offers the first exciting clues about the design and hardware of the iPhone 18 Pro, expected to be unveiled in 2026. The rumors center on a transparent design detail that could be considered radical for Apple.

The iPhone 18 Pro may feature a transparent back design

According to Digital Chat Station, a well-known Chinese leakster, Apple will maintain the general design language introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. This means the large, square camera module housing a triple-lens setup will be around for another year. It appears Apple is pleased with this new aesthetic and has no plans to change it in the near future.

However, the real surprise may await us on the phone’s rear panel. According to the leak, Apple is experimenting with a translucent back panel that would offer a glimpse into the device’s internal components. While this isn’t a fully transparent design by technology brand Nothing, it will be an unprecedented and bold move for Apple, which has generally favored opaque and minimalist surfaces to date.

In addition to this potential design innovation, the iPhone 18 Pro is also expected to offer significant performance improvements. Rumors suggest Apple will utilize a stainless steel vapor chamber cooling system to more effectively dissipate heat, especially during intense gaming sessions or high-resolution video recording. This is a significant step toward sustained high performance.

Screen sizes are not expected to change. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to inherit the 6.3-inch screen size from the iPhone 17 Pro series, while the Pro Max model will likely inherit the 6.9-inch screen size. While details about the chip, camera, and other hardware specifications remain unclear, it’s a safe bet that Apple will introduce significant upgrades in these areas, as it does every year.

While we’re still very early in the process, if Apple truly implements the translucent design idea, the iPhone 18 Pro is already poised to be one of the company’s boldest and most talked-about flagships in recent years.