Fact Check 20 iPhone 18 Rumors, Which One Is the Most Reasonable?

JAKARTA - The launch of the iPhone 18 family is just weeks away. Apple is expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its first foldable phone in September 2026. Meanwhile, the regular version of the iPhone 18, the iPhone 18e, and the iPhone Air 2 are predicted to follow in the spring of 2027 as part of a new phased launch strategy.

Ahead of the official announcement, various leaks continue to emerge. However, not all rumors have the same level of credibility. A number of information has been strengthened by various sources that have an accurate track record, while some others are still speculative.

One of the most powerful rumors says that the iPhone Air 2 will bring improvements to the camera sector. If the first generation only relies on one main camera, the latest model is said to get an additional ultra-wide camera so that it is more flexible for shooting landscapes and group photos without significantly changing its main design.

In the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, Apple is also rumored to be preparing a new Dark Cherry color as the flagship color this year. The color is said to be accompanied by Light Blue, Silver, and Dark Gray options. This rumor is getting stronger after a number of dummy models circulating on the internet showing similar color combinations.

Another major improvement is expected to come to the main camera. Apple is said to be embedding a lens with a variable aperture on the 48 MP main sensor in both Pro models. This technology allows the camera to set the size of the lens aperture so that users have better control over lighting and bokeh effects, something that has been more commonly found on professional cameras.

In addition to the camera, memory capacity is also predicted to increase. Although reports are still different in terms of size, the regular iPhone 18 is believed to come with 9 GB or even 12 GB RAM, up from 8 GB on the iPhone 17. This RAM addition is believed to be necessary to support Apple Intelligence features that are increasingly complex in iOS 27.

Apple is also expected to increase battery life, especially on the Pro Max model. Its battery capacity is said to reach around 5,567 mAh for the global market, combined with a 2 nanometer process-based A20 Pro chip and the latest generation LTPO panel that is more power-efficient. The combination is expected to provide a noticeable increase in battery life in everyday use.

Another rumor that is increasingly consistent is the presence of Apple's first folding iPhone. Unlike clamshell-style folding phones, this device is said to have a book-like design with an outer screen of around 5.5 inches and a main screen of 7.8 inches when opened. The screen ratio is estimated at 4:3 so that the user experience will resemble an iPad mini when the device is unfolded.

Apple is also believed to be expanding the use of its own-made modems. The second-generation C2 modem is said to be present in the iPhone Fold and most of the iPhone 18 Pro for the international market, offering faster connectivity as well as 5G satellite communication support. However, for the United States market, Apple is likely still using Qualcomm modems if the C2 modem does not support mmWave networks.

On the other hand, the price increase seems to be a difficult news to avoid. The increase in memory and storage costs is expected to make Apple raise the price of the entire iPhone 18 line. A number of analysts predict that the iPhone 18 Pro will be priced starting at 1,299 US dollars or around Rp23.4 million, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to start at 1,399 US dollars or around Rp25.2 million assuming a rate of Rp18,000 per US dollar. Both are up around 200 US dollars compared to the previous generation. Meanwhile, the iPhone Fold is expected to be sold above 2,000 US dollars or more than Rp36 million.

In addition to rumors that are considered quite strong, there are also a number of leaks that are still in the gray area. For example, the iPhone Air 2 is said to have a battery of around 3,500 mAh, up around 11 percent compared to its predecessor. There is also a rumor that the iPhone Fold will only be available in two color options that tend to be conservative.

The Dynamic Island design is also still a question mark. Some leaks say its size will shrink to around 35 percent, but other reports say Apple may delay the change because it is still facing challenges in miniaturizing the Face ID component.

Apple is also said to be simplifying the Camera Control button by removing the capacitive touch sensor and relying only on physical pressure. This step is believed to reduce touch errors while reducing production costs.

For the folding screen, Apple is rumored to have managed to reduce the folds on the inner screen to almost invisible when used. However, the latest report indicates that eliminating the folds completely is still a challenge so that the final result will likely be much more blurred than current folding devices.

The official name of Apple's folding phone is still a subject of speculation. Some analysts believe that the device will be marketed as an iPhone Ultra to put it above the Pro Max series. However, the name iPhone Fold is still considered a possibility that has not been completely closed.

Meanwhile, some rumors are starting to be considered unlikely to come true. One of them is the use of a hole-punch model selfie camera that replaces the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 18 Pro. The rumor is weakening after various recent leaks actually show Apple still maintaining Dynamic Island, although perhaps with a smaller size.

Likewise, the news that the regular iPhone 18 will experience a decrease in specifications in order to reduce production costs. This information contradicts various other reports that say the standard model will actually get an increase in RAM and the latest generation A20 chip.

Rumors about the front camera under the screen (under-display camera) for the iPhone Fold have also begun to be doubted because the technology is considered not mature enough for Apple to use this year. Instead, the company is expected to still use a punch-hole camera on the outer screen and the inner screen.

Finally, although the iPhone Fold is almost certainly only compatible with eSIM, the physical SIM card slot does not seem to have been removed from the entire iPhone 18 line. Battery capacity leaks still show variants with physical SIM cards for a number of countries such as China and Hong Kong.

Although Apple has not confirmed any information, most of the rumors circulating indicate that the company is focusing on improving the user experience through improved cameras, artificial intelligence, battery efficiency, and a major step into the folding smartphone market. The answer will finally be revealed when Apple officially introduces the iPhone 18 family at its launch event in September.