Bad news for those waiting for the iPhone 18 Pro.

iPhone 17 Pro (left) and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Photo: CNN .

In a Bloomberg Power On report, analyst Mark Gurman stated that the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, expected to launch later this year, will not be a major upgrade.

Specifically, Gurman predicts that the iPhone 18 Pro series will only receive minor refinements compared to its predecessor. He compares this generation to Apple's past "S" iPhone series, which were intended for less significant upgrades.

"Years ago, Apple removed the 'S' from minor iPhone upgrades. This change occurred in 2021 with the iPhone 13 series, which should have been called the iPhone 12s since there weren't many changes compared to the iPhone 12."

This strategy was maintained in the following years when the iPhone 15 was upgraded to the iPhone 16. Later this year, this trend will continue as the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max will only receive minor upgrades compared to last year's iPhone 17 and 17 Pro Max," Gurman wrote.

While not a major upgrade, the Bloomberg writer lists several significant changes on the iPhone 18 Pro, such as a camera system with variable aperture, the A20 processor, and Apple's own C2 modem.

This isn't the first time rumors have surfaced about a camera with a variable aperture lens on the iPhone. In December 2024, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo from TF International Securities stated that the main rear camera of the iPhone 18 Pro would have a variable aperture.

By October 2025, ET News (South Korea) reported that Apple planned to equip its next generation of iPhones with variable aperture technology. The company was reportedly in discussions to purchase components from suppliers including LG Innotech and Foxconn (sensors), and Luxshare and Sunny Optical (actuators).

By early February, the Weibo account of leaker Digital Chat Station also reported that Apple was testing a variable aperture camera on the iPhone, possibly to be featured on the iPhone 18 Pro as early as the first model.

Specifically for the iPhone 18 Pro Max, the device is expected to have a battery capacity of 5,100-5,200 mAh, the highest among Apple's smartphone lines. Combined with performance improvements on the A20 Pro chip, manufactured on TSMC's 2nm process, the iPhone 18 Pro Max could have even better battery life.

Gurman emphasized that the iPhone 18 Pro is not the highlight of Apple's year-end event; instead, it will be the foldable iPhone.

Previously, ETNews reported that Samsung Display would supply low-temperature polycrystalline silicon oxide (LTPO+) OLED panels for the iPhone 18 Pro and foldable iPhone series.

These panels utilize oxide technology in the controller, which improves energy efficiency while also supporting the placement of infrared cameras beneath the screen.

By using LTPO+ panels on the iPhone 18 Pro and foldable iPhone, Apple was able to move the Face ID sensors under the screen, allowing for a smaller Dynamic Island.