Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max Leaks Hint at Major Redesign, Camera Upgrades, and Bigger Battery

Key Points

• Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Max is rumored to launch in September 2026, following the company’s usual cycle.
• Leaks suggest a front redesign with possible under-display Face ID and a relocated selfie camera.
• The Pro Max may feature a mechanical iris and stacked image sensor for advanced photography.
• A new A20 Pro chip built on TSMC’s 2nm process is expected to boost performance and efficiency.
• Battery capacity could rise to 5,100mAh, the largest ever in an iPhone.

Early 2026 Leak Reports

The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has become the focus of early 2026 leaks, with industry trackers pointing to significant hardware and design changes. If Apple maintains its traditional schedule, the device will debut in September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro.

Reports from Indian tech outlets and Asian supply-chain sources highlight a redesigned front, a new camera system, and a larger battery as standout upgrades.

Design and Display Changes

According to leaks cited by India Today, Apple is testing under-display Face ID sensors. If successful, the Dynamic Island could disappear entirely, leaving only a small hole-punch camera in the top-left corner. This would deliver a cleaner display for video, gaming, and reading.

The rear design is expected to remain familiar, with a triple-camera layout housed in a raised island. Apple is reportedly experimenting with refinements to the back glass and aluminum frame, as well as new darker color options including deep purple, burgundy, and coffee brown.

Camera Innovations

Photography may see the most dramatic upgrades. Leaks suggest Apple could introduce a mechanical iris on at least one rear lens, allowing physical aperture adjustments for improved light control and natural background blur. This feature, common in professional cameras, would be a first for iPhones.

Additionally, Apple is rumored to adopt a three-layer stacked image sensor sourced from Samsung. This design promises faster readout speeds, reduced noise, and enhanced dynamic range. Both the main and telephoto lenses may also gain larger apertures, improving low-light performance.

Performance and Battery

Inside, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to debut the A20 Pro chip, built on TSMC’s 2nm process. Apple is reportedly using a new packaging method that integrates RAM with the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine on the same wafer. Early estimates suggest 15% faster performance and 30% better power efficiency compared to the A19 series.

Battery capacity could rise to 5,100mAh, the largest in iPhone history. This increase may make the device slightly thicker and heavier, potentially exceeding 240 grams, but would deliver significantly longer battery life.

Connectivity and Display Size

Connectivity upgrades are also expected, with Apple’s in-house C2 modem supporting mmWave 5G for faster speeds in markets using high-frequency networks.

The 6.9-inch display size is expected to remain unchanged. Some sources suggest the Dynamic Island may shrink rather than disappear entirely, depending on the readiness of under-display Face ID technology.

Pricing and Launch Timeline

Apple has not confirmed pricing for the iPhone 18 Pro Max. In India, the iPhone 17 Pro Max launched at Rs 1,49,900, following a steep increase. Analysts warn that another sharp hike could hurt sales in price-sensitive markets.

Component costs, particularly rising RAM prices driven by AI demand, may influence Apple’s final pricing decisions. Apple typically finalizes prices only months before launch.

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to be unveiled in September 2026, though some reports suggest the standard iPhone 18 could be delayed until 2027.

Context: Why It Matters

If these leaks prove accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro Max could mark one of Apple’s most significant upgrades in years. A redesigned front, advanced camera system, and larger battery would position it as the company’s most powerful smartphone to date, setting the tone for the next generation of mobile devices.

What Happens Next?

Apple is expected to finalize design and production details in the coming months. As September approaches, more concrete information will likely surface, giving consumers and analysts a clearer picture of what could be the biggest Pro iPhone leap yet.