Translucent design and camera under the screen are the big news expected for Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro
Apple is preparing one of the biggest visual and technological restructurings for its line of smartphones with the arrival of the iPhone 18
These changes not only alter the aesthetics of the device, but also promise to improve the user experience, offering a more immersive screen and a design that mixes nostalgia with a futuristic vision. Além looks, the new generation should bring significant advances in the set of cameras, in processing power with a new chip and in battery life, reinforcing Apple’s strategy of maintaining its leadership position in the premium device segment.
Despite the profound transformations, the expectation is that screen sizes will remain consistent with previous generations, with 6.3 inches for the Pro model and 6.9 inches for the Pro Max version. The rear camera module, although internally renewed, must preserve a familiar appearance, maintaining the visual identity that has become a trademark of the Pro line in recent years.
A design that honors the legacy of Apple
The inspiration for the new look of the iPhone 18 Pro refers to an iconic period in the history of the Esses computers, designed under the leadership of Steve Jobs, marked an era with their colorful and semi-transparent bodies, which made it possible to view part of the internal components. The strategy appears to be to evoke a feeling of nostalgia whilst presenting a modern and sophisticated approach, connecting the brand’s innovative past with its future ambitions.
More on this story: Apple develops iPhone 18 Pro with translucent back and front lens hidden under the display
The main aesthetic feature will be a clear glass area on the back of the device, strategically located around the MagSafe charging ring. Essa window will allow viewing of selected internal components, such as the induction charging coil and other adjacent circuitry, creating a distinctive and technical visual effect. Implementing this design represents an engineering challenge to ensure durability and a premium finish, without compromising the structural integrity or strength of the device.
The screen of the future without the Dynamic Island
One of the most anticipated transformations for the 2026 Pro line is the complete elimination of the Dynamic Island cutout, introduced on the iPhone 14 Pro. The Apple is in advanced testing stages of an under-panel camera solution, which would make the front sensor virtually invisible when not in use, providing a truly uninterrupted viewing experience. The implementation of this technology would increase the useful display area by approximately 5% compared to current models, which represents a significant gain for content consumption, games and navigation. The technology, developed in partnership with Samsung Display, involves the use of enhanced OLED panels that maintain the 120 Hz ProMotion refresh rate, essential for fluid animations and scrolling. The technical challenge is complex, as it requires the pixels above the camera to become transparent enough to allow light to pass through without distorting the captured image. The Face ID facial recognition system sensors would also be located under the display, although they may remain subtly visible, postponing the arrival of a 100% stutter-free screen for future generations.
Main camera with variable aperture technology
The iPhone 18 Pro’s camera system is set to receive one of the most important updates in recent years, with the introduction of a main sensor with variable aperture.
Learn more: Retro look and invisible camera: Apple bets on translucent design for the new iPhone 18 Pro
This technology, already present in some competitors, offers unprecedented control over light input and depth of field, allowing users to manually adjust the lens aperture within a range that can vary from f/1.4 to f/2.0.
In practice, a larger aperture like f/1.4 is ideal for low-light scenarios, capturing more light to reduce noise, as well as creating a more natural and pronounced background blur (bokeh effect) in portraits.
On the other hand, a smaller aperture, such as f/2.0, is better suited for landscape or group photography, where the goal is to keep a larger area of the image in sharp focus.
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Power and efficiency with the A20 Pro chip
The brain behind the new features will be the A20 Pro chip, which promises a generational leap in performance and energy efficiency. Fabricado on an advanced 2 nanometer process, the new processor will have a much higher transistor density, which translates into more computing power in a smaller space.
This increase in capacity is crucial to enabling features such as the real-time image processing required by the variable aperture camera, the enhanced Cinema mode, and more complex artificial intelligence and machine learning tasks, which must be integrated into the iOS 27 operating system.
On the same topic: Forecast points to Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro announcement in August 2026
Battery and cooling system optimization
The autonomy of the iPhone 18
This 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 4800 mAh in the Pro Max model, guaranteeing up to 30 hours of mixed use. The efficiency will be complemented by a new 5G modem developed in-house by Apple, designed to consume less power.
New launch strategy for the entire line
Industry sources suggest that for the 2026 and 2027 cycle, Apple may change its launch schedule. The company would be considering presenting the Pro models and the more affordable models at separate events, creating distinct marketing windows and giving more prominence to each product segment.
More on this story: IPhone 18 Pro gains translucent chassis and 5200 mAh battery in aesthetic redesign
Technical details and feasibility of the new construction
The implementation of a partially transparent back 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 construction does not affect the reception of cell phone signals, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, thanks to the use of layers of filters and specialized materials that are permeable to radio waves.
The IP68 certification for protection against water and dust will be maintained, ensuring the device’s robustness in daily use. The titanium chassis, which combines lightness and high resistance, will continue to be a distinguishing feature of the Pro models, with the possibility of the company reintroducing classic colors with a modern finish, as an updated version of the Jet Black.
