JAKARTA - Ahead of Apple's launch event in September 2026, leaks regarding the iPhone 18 Pro Max are getting stronger. This time, attention is focused on two main aspects that are believed to be the biggest attraction of the premium phone, namely a major improvement in the camera sector as well as performance supported by artificial intelligence (AI).
Various reports from Apple's supply chain say the iPhone 18 Pro Max is not just a routine update from the previous generation. Apple is said to be preparing major changes that could potentially change the standard of premium smartphones, ranging from the camera system, processor, to battery capacity.
One of the most significant improvements is rumored to be present on the main camera. Apple is said to be embedding a mechanical variable aperture technology on the 48-megapixel main sensor. Unlike the digital system that has relied on software so far, the new mechanism allows the lens opening to physically change according to lighting conditions.
With this technology, the camera is able to regulate the amount of light that enters the sensor more precisely, both when shooting in low light conditions and in very bright sunlight. Users will also get better control over the bokeh effect and depth of field, approaching the capabilities of professional cameras.
Not only the main camera, Apple is also rumored to still maintain a three-camera rear configuration with a resolution of 48 megapixels. The system consists of a main camera, an ultra-wide camera with a 120-degree viewing angle, and a periscope telephoto camera that offers further optical zoom capabilities. The three are combined with third-generation sensor-shift image stabilization technology to produce more stable photos and videos.
Meanwhile, the front camera is also said to have improved. The biometric sensor and depth sensor will be updated to support the Apple Intelligence feature that runs directly on the device. The selfie camera is also expected to be able to record spatial video (spatial video) in 4K resolution with better quality.
Behind its performance, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is said to be powered by the A20 Pro chip which is produced using TSMC's 2 nanometer fabrication process. If the rumor is true, the A20 Pro will be the first smartphone processor in the industry to use this manufacturing technology.
The smaller fabrication process allows for improved performance and power efficiency. At the same time, Apple is rumored to increase memory capacity to 16 GB RAM on the System-on-a-Chip (SoC) system. This RAM addition is believed to be the main foundation for various Apple Intelligence features that increasingly rely on AI processing directly on the device without having to connect to cloud services.
In addition to the new processor, battery life is also expected to increase. A number of regulatory documents circulating say the iPhone 18 Pro Max will carry a battery almost 10 percent larger than its predecessor. To accommodate the battery while improving the heat dissipation system, Apple is said to make the device body a little thicker, namely around 8.8 mm.
The increase in specifications is expected to have a direct impact on the selling price. The cost of producing 2 nanometer chips, large capacity memory, and new camera components has led a number of analysts to predict that Apple will raise the price of the iPhone 18 Pro Max by around US$100 to US$200 or around Rp1.8 million to Rp3.6 million assuming a rate of Rp18,000 per US dollar compared to the previous generation.
If the prediction is proven, the iPhone 18 Pro Max variant of 256 GB is estimated to be priced starting at 1,399 or around Rp. 25.2 million. Meanwhile, higher storage variants such as 1 TB and 2 TB are predicted to be sold at a much higher price.
However, all of this information is still limited to rumors that come from supply chain reports and industry analysts. Apple is expected to only reveal the complete specifications along with the official price of the iPhone 18 Pro Max in the keynote event scheduled to take place in September 2026. Until then, all leaks still need to be treated as information that has not received official confirmation from the company.
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