The iPhone 18 Pro may experience a significant redesign.

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      If the release schedule for the iPhone 18 wasn't already significant, it appears that the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models may transition to under-screen Face ID, featuring just a small camera located in the top-left corner of the display. This information originates from Digital Chat Station on Weibo, a leaker with insider knowledge of Apple’s supply chain.

      “I checked with the Apple supply chain a few days ago. The iPhone 18/18 Pro Max is indeed testing 3D face technology under the screen, utilizing a single HIAA hole; meanwhile, the iPhone 18/18 Air will have a standard 2+1 hole,” they noted (as translated by Google).

      Although unverified, this development would be unexpected. Apple heavily promotes the pixel density of its displays, and that very density could complicate the functionality of under-screen Face ID. The Face ID system projects thousands of infrared dots onto a surface to generate a precise, detailed map of the user’s face. A front-facing camera can accomplish this easily, but OLED screens like those found in the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max tend to block and scatter light.

      Apple will need to devise a solution that allows the infrared light to penetrate or pass through the OLED panels without impacting display quality. This might explain why this change is projected for the iPhone 18 series rather than the iPhone 17; whatever the solution may be—whether it involves modifications to hardware or software adjustments—it will necessitate thorough testing and refinement before public release.

      The standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e are anticipated to utilize the same method as the current models, with front-facing sensors integrated into the Dynamic Island. These models are not expected to launch until spring of 2027, six months later than the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, as part of a new release timeline.

      The iPhone 18 will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the original iPhone, and it seems Apple intends to make some significant changes. The speculated foldable iPhone is also expected to be introduced around the same period as the iPhone 18, which may explain the adjusted release schedule.

      Patrick Hearn writes about smart home technology, including devices like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, smart light bulbs, and more.

      iPhone prices are rising, but not for the reasons you might think.

      The average selling price of iPhones has increased, but the reasons aren't solely attributed to one factor. Recent data from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) indicates that the average price of an iPhone has risen by $18 to $971, up from $953 in Q4 of 2024. While many may quickly cite tariffs as a factor, the influence of economic variables remains uncertain. The current tendency towards more expensive iPhones is mainly due to Apple's recent decision to discontinue the iPhone SE and iPhone 14 lines. Analysts use metrics like the U.S. Weighted Average Retail Price (US-WARP) to gauge the average sale price, as Apple stopped disclosing those figures at the end of 2018.

      I tested a phone with a 23,800mAh battery, and it’s both amazing and frustrating.

      No, that’s not a mistake. The Unihertz Tank 3 Pro is a rugged phone equipped with the largest battery I’ve ever seen in any handheld device, and nothing else comes close. This powerhouse is built to last for several days at a time, definitely sufficient if you’re primarily using it as a phone. If you suffer from battery anxiety, this device will almost completely alleviate those concerns, although that massive capacity does come with its drawbacks.

      The iPhone 17 may receive a significant RAM upgrade.

      We anticipated that the iPhone 17 would offer a notable improvement, but a new rumor indicates it could be an even bigger technological advancement than initially expected. According to the reputable tipster Digital Chat Station, the entire series will leverage Apple Intelligence on a "large scale," with every model in the lineup, from the base iPhone 17 to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, featuring 12GB of RAM. This claim aligns with earlier predictions from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, adding to its credibility. Given that all current iPhones are capped at 8GB of RAM, this represents a 33% increase—an impressive boost. Digital Chat Station also mentions that these phones will be powered by the TSMC A19 Pro chip, the most powerful processor yet in an iPhone. When combined, these features hint that the iPhone 17 lineup will deliver significantly faster performance compared to existing models.