Leaker Claims Under-Display Face ID for iPhone 18 Pro Delayed [Rumor]

Apple may hold off on major design changes for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup next year, with new supply chain rumors suggesting the company will reuse some of the previous generation molds and delay under-display Face ID to a future generation.



According to details shared by Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station, the iPhone 18 Pro will retain a largely unchanged Dynamic Island display design. Earlier rumors suggested Apple was testing an under-display Face ID system that could shrink the cutout by roughly 35 percent. Those plans have apparently been pushed back, leaving the display aesthetic largely untouched for another year. The large rear camera matrix design is also expected to carry over without visual modification.


Physical dimensions are anticipated to stay nearly identical to the current generation. Fellow leaker Ice Universe also corroborated the lack of exterior updates, noting that the overall footprint remains largely unchanged and that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will measure about 8.8 millimeters thick. This aligns with recent supply chain feedback indicating the device had entered early mass production testing without a significant physical redesign.

While the exterior appears static, Apple is still planning substantial upgrades inside. The devices are expected to run on the next-generation A20 Pro chip backed by 12GB of RAM to handle intensive on-device Apple Intelligence tasks. Built on TSMC's 2-nanometer process, the silicon should bring a major efficiency boost, though it may also come with a steep manufacturing price hike. To support those upgrades, Apple is rumored to be equipping the Pro Max with a battery exceeding 5,000 mAh. We previously tracked reports pointing to a 5,100 to 5,200 mAh cell for the international version of the flagship.

The camera system is the other primary focus for this upgrade cycle. Digital Chat Station highlighted a large-aperture imaging setup, which matches our earlier coverage of Apple testing a variable aperture mechanism for the main lens and an upgraded telephoto module. By focusing on optical improvements rather than a visual overhaul, Apple appears to be prioritizing internal performance and battery longevity for the 2026 Pro models.

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