Translucent retro design and invisible camera under the screen are Apple’s bets for the iPhone 18 Pro

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Apple caixa, iphone Foto: Apple caixa, iphone - atracurium_/ iStock

Apple is preparing substantial changes to the design of its smartphone line with the launch of the iPhone 18

The main new features are focused on a partially translucent look and the long-awaited removal of the Dynamic Island cutout, which will be replaced by front camera technology under the screen. Além of the visual changes, the new generation promises important updates to the camera system, processor performance and battery life.

Despite the transformation, the new devices must maintain the already known screen sizes: 6.3 inches for the iPhone 18 Pro and 6.9 inches for the Pro Max version. The rear camera module, although with internal improvements, should preserve the general appearance of the previous generation, maintaining the visual identity of the line.

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A tribute to the classic design of the Apple

The inspiration for the new look came from Macintosh computers from the late 90s, such as the iMac G3 and the iBook, which stood out for their colorful and semi-transparent bodies. The main aesthetic novelty of the iPhone 18 Pro will be a translucent glass section on the back of the device, located in the MagSafe charging ring area. Esta “window” will allow you to view some internal components, such as the wireless charging coil and other circuits, creating a distinct and technological visual effect. Especialistas in the sector interpret this decision as a strategic maneuver by Apple to reinforce the premium identity of its products. By integrating elements that refer to its past commercial successes, the company not only differentiates itself from competitors, but also strengthens the emotional bond with its most loyal consumer base, evoking the nostalgia of the era of Steve Jobs, a period in which Apple established itself as a reference in industrial design.

The future of seamless display

One of the most anticipated transformations for the 2026 Pro line is the elimination of the cutout known as Dynamic Island, introduced on the iPhone 14 Pro. Apple is testing a solution that positions the selfie camera under the display, making it practically invisible when not in use. Estima This change is expected to increase the viewing area by approximately 5% compared to current models.

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The sensors required for the Face ID facial recognition system will also be positioned under the screen, although they should not be completely invisible. The production of these panels involves a partnership with Samsung Display, which will provide enhanced OLED displays while maintaining the 120 Hz ProMotion refresh rate to ensure fluid animations and scrolling.

This innovation represents a significant step towards a fully immersive screen experience, a goal pursued by the smartphone industry for years. Removing any notches or perforations on the front screen will allow content to occupy the entire surface of the display, improving viewing of videos, games and other media.

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Significant advances in the camera system

The iPhone 18 Pro camera system will receive important improvements, including a main sensor with variable aperture, technology that offers unprecedented control over light flow and depth of field. Essa functionality, already present on competitor devices, will allow users to manually adjust the lens aperture within a range of f/1.4 to f/2.0.

In practice, a larger aperture, such as f/1.4, is ideal for low-light conditions, allowing you to capture more information and reduce noise, as well as creating more natural background blur (bokeh) in portraits. On the other hand, a smaller aperture, such as f/2.0, is useful for landscape or group photography, where you want to keep a larger area of ​​the image in focus.

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In addition to this new feature, the telephoto lens should support 48 MP resolution with 5x optical zoom, while the ultra-wide-angle lens will receive an improved stabilization system for more stable photos and videos. The ability to record 8K video at 60 frames per second is also a real possibility.

These enhancements solidify the iPhone’s position as a professional photography tool, offering content creators and photography enthusiasts greater flexibility and creative control, bringing the quality of smartphone images even closer to that achieved with dedicated cameras.

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Performance and efficiency with the A20 Pro chip

Many of the new features, especially advances in image and video processing, will be enabled by the A20 Pro chip. Este new processor, manufactured using a 2 nanometer process, promises a significant leap in performance and energy efficiency. Greater transistor density will allow the chip to perform artificial intelligence and machine learning tasks faster, which is crucial for features like Cinema mode and computational photography.

The optimization of the new manufacturing process is not only reflected in speed, but also in lower energy consumption. Isso means the iPhone 18 Pro will be able to perform complex tasks for longer without compromising battery life, a key balance for the user experience on high-performance mobile devices.

Battery optimization and new cooling system

The autonomy and durability of the iPhone 18 Pro Max will be reinforced by the use of a battery with a stainless steel casing, which will replace the aluminum used in previous models. Essa structural change not only increases impact resistance by approximately 20%, but also improves heat dissipation by approximately 15%, allowing the device to maintain peak performance for longer during intensive tasks.

The battery capacity must also be increased, reaching 4,800 mAh in the Pro Max model, which guarantees up to 30 hours of mixed use. Essa improvement is complemented by a new 5G modem, developed by Apple itself, which promises to be more efficient in energy consumption.

New launch strategy for the line

In the 2026 and 2027 cycles, Apple plans to change its launch schedule. The iPhone 18 models Pro and Pro Max, as usual, will hit the market in September 2026. However, the models Standard and

This strategic division allows the company to focus its most advanced innovations on the Pro models, making them the main event of the year. At the same time, it creates a separate launch window for the most affordable models, avoiding sales cannibalization and giving each line its own prominence in the market.

Technical details and feasibility of the new construction

The use of a partially translucent backplate raises questions about durability and signal interference. However, sources linked to the production chain claim that the prototypes have already undergone rigorous testing and that the design does not affect the reception of cell phone signals, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Isso is possible thanks to the use of layers of filters and specialized materials, permeable to radio waves. The IP68 certification for protection against water and dust will also be maintained, ensuring the device’s robustness in daily use.

Carolina Costa é colaboradora da redação do Mix Vale, portal de notícias com cobertura de Brasil e mundo. Produz conteúdo nas editorias de economia e benefícios, com foco em informação de serviço para o leitor brasileiro. Escreve para o portal desde 2019. Formação: Administração

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