Apple is making a radical design change to its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models, which it is preparing to release in 2026. According to the latest information from industry sources, the company is completely abandoning the notch that started with the iPhone X in 2017 and the Dynamic Island concept that came in 2022, and switching to an asymmetrical screen design.

Front design will change

Emerging technical details show that Apple has managed to hide a large part of the Face ID hardware under the screen, but will leave a small hole in the upper left corner of the screen for the front camera. This move means that the tech giant is deviating sharply from its long-standing symmetrical design philosophy for the first time.

This change in screen technology is supported by hardware upgrades in the rear camera system. For the first time, variable aperture technology is used in the main camera of the iPhone 18 Pro series. This new lens structure, which will have physical blades, offers professional camera-like control in depth of field and low-light performance by manually or automatically adjusting the amount of light.

At the heart of the device is TSMC’s A20 Pro chip, manufactured using a 2-nanometer process and integrating memory directly onto the processor. This new architecture is expected to speed up AI processing and significantly extend battery life.

Apple’s biggest surprise for 2026 is the first foldable iPhone model, codenamed “V68.” Expected to be introduced alongside the iPhone 18 series in September 2026, this device transforms into a compact 5.3-inch screen when closed and a massive 7.7-inch tablet when unfolded.

Unlike its competitors, the foldable model is said to have a “book-style” form factor that expands horizontally and will feature a special hinge system that completely eliminates screen creasing. Leaked information also suggests that, to keep the body thinner, the foldable model may use a Touch ID sensor integrated into the power button instead of Face ID.