Apple will hold a new product announcement event “Good Morning World.” from 2:00 a.m. on September 10, 2026 Japan time. Bloomberg’s Mark Garman reports the latest predictions for the iPhone 18 Pro series with only 5 days left until the event.
The variable aperture mechanism, which is considered to be the centerpiece of the iPhone 18 Pro series camera improvements, is likely to be installed only on the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Is only the Pro Max equipped with variable aperture?
Regarding the installation of a variable aperture mechanism in the iPhone 18 Pro series, there have been two predictions so far: “Pro Max only” and “both Pro and Pro Max.”
In the latest Garman reporter’s report, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is specifically mentioned as a model equipped with a mechanical variable aperture mechanism.
However, the same reporter did not completely deny the possibility that it would also be installed on the iPhone 18 Pro. At the moment, the situation is that it is more likely to be installed in Pro Max.
Will it be installed on the Pro one year late?
If the variable aperture mechanism is installed only in the Pro Max, it will be a troubling differentiation for users who have chosen the compact Pro while focusing on camera functions.
In the past, there was an example in which the iPhone 15 Pro Max was equipped with a high-magnification telephoto camera that adopted a tetra prism, and this was expanded to the next generation compact Pro.
Similarly, it is possible that the variable aperture mechanism will be installed only on the Pro Max in 2026, and then rolled out to the Pro model next year.
A20 Pro and cooling mechanism will also be updated
The iPhone 18 Pro series is expected to be equipped with the A20 Pro manufactured using TSMC’s 2nm process and an improved vapor chamber.
In Garman’s latest report, one of the improvements is to enhance cooling performance with a higher-performance vapor chamber.
Focus on 7-core GPU and heat dissipation performance
The A20 Pro is rumored to use WMCM (Wafer-level Multi-Chip Module) and place DRAM horizontally instead of on top of the SoC.
Regarding the GPU, there are new predictions that it will be a 7-core GPU, an increase of 1 core from the 6 cores of the A19 Pro. It is also possible that a 7-core GPU can be installed by combining changes in the heat source layout using WMCM and strengthening the vapor chamber.
Does C2 support 5G mmWave?
It continues to be expected that the iPhone 18 Pro series will be equipped with the next generation cellular modem “C2” developed by Apple.
Reporter Garman previously expressed the view that the C2 would be compatible with 5G millimeter waves, and there were expectations that the model for Japan would also be compatible with millimeter waves.
Subsequently, other information has surfaced that the US models will continue to use Qualcomm modems, and the C2 will be installed in the non-US models. According to this prediction, only models for the US will support 5G millimeter waves with Qualcomm modems, and models equipped with C2 may mainly use the sub-6GHz band.
Garman’s article this time does not go into detail about the modem’s regional specifications, and we will have to wait for the official announcement of 5G millimeter wave support for models for Japan.
The third color of the main body color is opaque.
Regarding the body color, multiple sources agree that the new colors will be light blue and dark red. On the other hand, opinions are divided regarding the remaining color, with some saying it will be silver and others saying it will be dark gray or black.
A recently posted image of the SIM card tray shows three colors: dark cherry, light blue, and silver, suggesting that there may not be a black version. On the other hand, another leaker predicts that it will come in three colors, excluding silver: dark cherry, light blue, and black.
At the moment, dark cherry and light blue are two likely colors, but there is conflicting information as to whether the third color will be silver or dark (or whether there will be four colors).
Details of the iPhone 18 Pro series, including the official color lineup, are expected to be revealed at an event starting at 2:00 a.m. on September 10, Japan time.
Source: Bloomberg
Photo: Apple Hub/Facebook
Source: iPhone Mania
