iPhone 18 Series: What NOT to Expect in Apple’s 2026 LineupApple’s 2026 iPhone lineup is leaving several highly anticipated features on the cutting room floor. Consequently, the company is aggressively prioritizing internal battery and processing power over massive visual changes. Here at Tech Mansion, we have been closely tracking the supply chain leaks leading up to the September 9 “Surprise and Shine” event. Ultimately, it is clear that several long-rumored updates have officially been delayed, canceled, or restricted.
⚡ Quick Facts: What’s Missing?
- No Standard iPhone 18: The base model is delayed until spring 2027 due to memory costs.
- No Hidden Face ID: The Dynamic Island remains, although rumors suggest it may shrink.
- No Lightweight Pro: Expect a heavier iPhone 18 Pro Max to accommodate a massive battery and new cooling.
- No Face ID on the Foldable: The “iPhone Ultra” is expected to rely on a side-mounted Touch ID sensor.
📉 The Missing Features: A Closer Look
📉 The Missing Features: A Closer Look\n\n\n
\n
1. The Standard iPhone 18
For the first time in years, an affordable, base-model iPhone will not launch at Apple’s September event. The fall 2026 showcase will exclusively feature the premium iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and Apple’s first foldable phone, the “iPhone Ultra”. Surging memory costs have reportedly pushed the launch of the standard iPhone 18 (and the rumored iPhone 18e) to the spring of 2027.
2. A Completely Hidden Face ID
Early rumors suggested Apple was finally going to hide the Face ID cameras completely underneath the glass. That ambitious feature has reportedly been delayed yet again. Instead of disappearing entirely, rumors indicate the Dynamic Island cutout might shrink by about 35%, achieved by moving only the flood illuminator beneath the screen.
3. A Thin, Lightweight Pro Phone
Do not expect a sleek, featherweight device this year. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is bulking up to fit a larger battery, pushing past 5,500 mAh. To support heavier artificial intelligence features and a new stainless steel vapor chamber cooling system, the device is expected to tip the scales around 240 grams and measure 9mm thick.
4. Face ID on the Foldable
If you are planning to spend over $2,000 on Apple’s upcoming foldable “iPhone Ultra,” you will likely have to give up Face ID. Because the device is expected to be incredibly thin, Apple reportedly could not fit the necessary TrueDepth sensors inside. Instead, the foldable is rumored to rely on a Touch ID fingerprint sensor built directly into the side power button.
💰 A Price Freeze? Think Again.
Upgrading is going to hurt your wallet more than usual. Thanks to a global memory shortage and the massive cost of manufacturing Apple’s lightning-fast new 2nm processor, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to see a steep price hike.
Market intelligence firm Counterpoint Research estimates that the bill of materials for the 1TB iPhone 18 Pro Max will jump by approximately $300. To offset this, analysts project Apple will implement an average retail price increase of $200 across the iPhone 18 Pro Max lineup.
Stay tuned to Tech Mansion for full coverage of the Apple Event on September 9th, where we’ll get our official look at the iPhone 18 Pro lineup.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will there be a standard iPhone 18 this year?
No. Current reports indicate that Apple is delaying the standard iPhone 18 until the spring of 2027 due to surging memory component costs. The September event will focus entirely on the Pro models and the new foldable “Ultra.”
Does the iPhone 18 Pro have a hidden Face ID camera?
No. While Apple is reportedly working on under-display Face ID technology, it is not expected to be ready for the iPhone 18 series. However, the Dynamic Island cutout may be slightly smaller this year.
Why is the iPhone 18 Pro expected to cost more?
A global memory shortage has significantly increased the cost of NAND and DRAM chips. Combined with the high manufacturing cost of the new 2nm A20 Pro chip, Apple’s component costs have surged, which is expected to translate into a $200 price increase for consumers.
