iPhone 18 Pro Enters Mass Production Testing [Rumor]

Apple has moved the iPhone 18 series into mass production testing, according to a new supply chain update. Manufacturing lines for the iPhone 18 Pro are reportedly already active, signaling the next stage of development for the company's 2026 flagship.



The latest details come from the Weibo account Fixed Focus Digital, which says early mass production testing is now underway. According to the leaker, the overall materials and exterior specifications will remain largely unchanged from the current generation. Apple is expected to retain the existing chassis design rather than introduce a major physical redesign for the 2026 models.


This timeline is consistent with a claim the same source made in December, when it said Apple was preparing to begin trial production shortly after the New Year. Entering mass production testing in late February suggests suppliers are now refining assembly processes ahead of a fall launch.

Although the design may not change much, the internals are expected to. Reports suggest Apple will use a 2-nanometer A20 Pro chip and 12GB of RAM, providing more headroom for on-device AI features. The device is also rumored to feature Apple's in-house C2 baseband modem, further reducing reliance on Qualcomm components.

The camera system may also receive meaningful changes. Despite a similar outward design, the primary wide-angle lens is said to be gaining a variable aperture mechanism. That would allow physical control over light intake and depth of field, potentially improving low-light performance without increasing the size of the rear camera module. Separate reports have pointed to under-display Face ID testing, which could reduce the Dynamic Island to a single circular cutout.

Entering mass production testing at this stage is typical for Apple's Pro models, which involve complex component sourcing and assembly. The move also follows reports that Apple may delay the standard iPhone 18 until 2027, focusing production resources on higher-end models.


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