We’re already in May, which means the next big iPhone season is slowly getting closer. In just a few months, iPhone 18 Pro will finally step into the spotlight, and I can’t deny it, I still get excited every year when a new iPhone launch approaches. There’s something fun about the buildup, the leaks, the keynote anticipation, and all the speculation that comes with it.
But recently, a new video from Jon Prosser at Front Page Tech gave us what could be an early look at the upcoming Pro model, and honestly, it left me a little underwhelmed. If these renders are even somewhat accurate, the phone feels way too familiar. It does not look bad or unattractive; it just looks safe in a way that makes it hard to feel excited about. At first glance, it barely feels like a new-generation iPhone at all.
The circle of iPhone life continues
According to Jon Prosser, the biggest visual change on the iPhone 18 Pro could be a slightly smaller Dynamic Island compared to last year’s Pro model. And that is where the “new design” conversation seemingly begins and ends. Earlier rumors about under-display Face ID also do not appear to be happening this year, so from the front, the phone may end up looking almost identical to what we already have today.
Honestly, that is the part that feels a little disappointing. Every year, there’s hope that Apple will surprise us with something visually fresh, something that makes the new iPhone feel exciting the moment you pick it up. But if these leaks are accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro seems more like a careful refinement. A smaller Dynamic Island is nice, sure, but it hardly feels like the kind of change people will notice outside tech circles.
As for colors, Prosser claims Apple could introduce shades like light blue, dark cherry, dark gray, and silver this year. Around the back, the phone is still expected to pack 48MP camera sensors across the board, but the real highlight may not be the megapixel count. According to him, Apple could finally bring a variable-aperture main camera to the iPhone, allowing the lens to adjust how much light it lets in based on the scene. In real-world use, that could translate to sharper shots, better low-light performance, and more natural-looking depth in photos.
The engine got louder, but the road still looks the same
That said, there may also be a small compromise. The Camera Control button reportedly supports only pressure-sensitive inputs this time, possibly because Apple wants to cut manufacturing costs. So while the company could be pushing camera hardware forward, it may also be simplifying a few things behind the scenes.
Internally, the iPhone 18 Pro is rumored to run on Apple’s new A20 Pro chip, which Prosser says could be around 50% faster and 30% more power efficient than the previous generation. Battery upgrades, however, seem fairly modest. The Pro Max model may reportedly move from a 5,100mAh battery to a slightly larger 5,200mAh unit, which does not exactly scream “massive leap.” One genuinely interesting addition, though, could be Apple’s new C2 modem. The Pro models are said to support satellite-based 5G connectivity, which sounds futuristic.
But perhaps the most telling part of Prosser’s leak is that even he seemed more excited about Apple’s rumored foldable device, supposedly called the iPhone Ultra. According to him, that is the product expected to truly steal attention this year. And honestly, that says a lot. The iPhone 18 Pro sounds polished, powerful, and predictably premium, but it also feels like another lap around a very familiar track.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
