Highlights
- Leaks suggest iPhone 18 Pro will retain the full-width rear camera plateau from the 17 Pro with minor tweaks.
- iPhone 17e is expected to feature a Dynamic Island display instead of a notch, but will still be limited to a 60Hz refresh rate and no ProMotion support yet.
- Apple appears to be maintaining design continuity for Pro models while gradually enhancing features on budget variants.
There is never a time throughout the year when we are not hearing reports about the upcoming iPhone. You might think iPhone 17 Series has just launched, the fact is next year’s iPhones are already making headlines.
A new leak has revealed early design details for Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 17e, shedding light on what users can expect from next year’s iPhone lineup. The information comes from a reliable tipster Digital Chat Station (DCS) via 9to5Mac, who just shared insights about the iPhone 18 Pro’s variable aperture camera upgrade. Here’s what we know.
iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 17e Design Details (Leaked)
According to DCS’s response to a comment, the iPhone 18 Pro will retain the same rear camera design as the current iPhone 17 Pro. This means the full-width camera “plateau” introduced with the 17 Pro series will carry over to the next generation.
While the overall layout may remain unchanged, the leaker hinted that the glass cutout below the camera plateau could feature a slightly different transparent design. This suggests subtle aesthetic refinements along with new colour options for 2026.
Meanwhile, DCS also shared new information about the iPhone 17e, Apple’s upcoming budget model expected to launch earlier next year. The device will reportedly feature a Dynamic Island display, replacing the standard notch design seen on the iPhone 16e.
However, the leaker added that the display will still be limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, meaning ProMotion support won’t be available on this model just yet.
This aligns with Apple’s recent decision to bring ProMotion technology to the base iPhone lineup for the first time with the iPhone 17 series. Based on this trend, it may take another year or more before Apple’s adaptive refresh technology makes its way to the ‘e’ variant.
When asked about the standard iPhone 18, DCS clarified that he hasn’t come across any design specifications for that model so far, only for the iPhone 18 Pro.
Overall, the leak suggests that Apple’s 2026 iPhone lineup will focus on refined design continuity for the Pro series and gradual feature upgrades for its more affordable models.
FAQs
Q1. What design changes are expected in the iPhone 18 Pro?
Answer. The iPhone 18 Pro will retain the full-width rear camera plateau from the iPhone 17 Pro, with minor refinements like a transparent glass cutout and new colour options.
Q2. What upgrades will the iPhone 17e offer?
Answer. The iPhone 17e is expected to feature a Dynamic Island display instead of a notch, but it will still have a 60Hz refresh rate, no ProMotion support yet.
Q3. Has any information leaked about the standard iPhone 18?
Answer. No design details have surfaced for the standard iPhone 18 yet. The current leak only covers the iPhone 18 Pro and the budget-friendly iPhone 17e.