Apple Preparing to Start Trial Production of iPhone 18 Pro

Apple is reportedly preparing to begin trial production for the iPhone 18 lineup just after the New Year. According to a new supply chain rumor, the manufacturing lines for the Pro models are already being established.

The claim comes from leaker Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo, who states that the iPhone 18 series will start testing on mass production lines shortly after January 1. The process is expected to land as early as the weeks preceding the Lunar New Year. The leaker adds that the production line for the iPhone 18 Pro specifically has already been set up.



The report mentions that external design changes might not be as drastic as some have anticipated. That contrasts with earlier leaks pointing to noticeable physical updates for the 2026 flagship. We have seen reports of a smaller punch-hole display and a new back glass process meant to blend the frame and back panel seamlessly. There has also been talk of a simplified Camera Control button.


Regardless of the exterior look, the internals are slated for a major overhaul. The lineup is expected to move to Apple's 2-nanometer A20 chip and adopt a second-generation in-house C2 modem. The camera system should also see improvements, with the iPhone 18 Pro Max likely gaining a variable aperture lens.

Apple has also reportedly started testing under-display Face ID, although it isn't certain if the technology will make the final cut. Other rumors suggest the iPhone 18 Pro Max could end up being the heaviest model yet to accommodate the new hardware.

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