Apple’s next-generation iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models are set to arrive in September 2026 with larger batteries to accommodate the A20 chipset’s increased power demands, according to filings with Chinese certification authorities. The Chinese model of the iPhone 18 Pro has a 4,065 mAh battery, while the U.S. version has 4,288 mAh—both an increase over the iPhone 17 Pro’s capacity.

Battery Increases and Regional Variations

The battery increases are partly due to the use of eSIMs in the U.S., which free up internal space compared to physical SIMs in China, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max will also see a rise in capacity, with 5,391 mAh in China and 5,567 mAh in the U.S. Apple has optimized the A20 chipset and iOS 27 to manage the increased power consumption from persistent AI tasks, according to Forbes.

iPhone Air 2: A Leaked Preview

Leaker Jon Prosser recently shared a 3D render of the rumored iPhone Air 2, set to launch in spring 2027; the second-gen model is expected to include a dual-camera setup with both main and ultrawide lenses, each with 48 megapixels. Apple is reportedly redesigning the Face ID system to make space for the additional camera, the iPhone Air 2 will also reportedly feature a 2nm A20 Pro chip, offering improved battery life, and will retain its titanium midframe. Color options may include a new lavender variant, according to Gizmodo.

Leaks and Unconfirmed Rumors

Additional unconfirmed details about the iPhone 18 Pro have surfaced from a data leak attributed to a Ransomware group that allegedly accessed files from Indian manufacturer Tata. These files include purported footage of the Pro model undergoing a drop test, shared on social media accounts linked to leakers like Ice Universe and EvLeaks. While the videos suggest the device survived the test, it is unclear whether they depict an actual iPhone 18 Pro or another model, as the material is reported to have originated from early 2026, according to t3n.

Meanwhile, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has predicted a delayed launch for Apple’s foldable iPhone, drawing comparisons to the iPhone X of 2017, Kuo estimates production of 7,8 million units for the foldable model, lower than the 20,22 million units expected for the Pro models. He cites production challenges similar to those faced with the iPhone X, which introduced a full-OLED display and Face ID for the first time; According to Applesfera, these challenges could push the foldable’s launch to late 2026.

Separately, WIRED explores Apple’s underused feature that turns an iPhone into a limited-use device for children,essentially a “dumb phone.” The article highlights how Apple’s built-in parental controls are not sufficient to block Safari or prevent children from bypassing restrictions with links sent by friends. While third-party apps like Dumb Phone for iPhone and Minimalist Phone for Android offer alternatives, the author criticizes the idea of paying to remove features from a phone.