This might be the ultimate design of the iPhone 18 Pro, and it’s rather unexciting as expected.

      It’s already May, indicating that the next major iPhone season is approaching. In a few months, the iPhone 18 Pro will make its debut, and I must admit, I still feel a sense of excitement each year as a new iPhone launch nears. There’s an enjoyable aspect to the anticipation, the leaks, the buildup to the keynote, and all the speculation involved.

      Recently, a new video from Jon Prosser at Front Page Tech provided what may be an early glimpse of the upcoming Pro model, and to be honest, I found it a bit underwhelming. If these renders are even partly accurate, the phone appears too familiar. It doesn’t look unattractive; rather, it seems safe in a way that makes it hard to generate excitement. At first glance, it hardly feels like a next-generation iPhone at all.

      The cycle of iPhone development continues

      Jon Prosser notes that the most significant visual change on the iPhone 18 Pro might be a slightly smaller Dynamic Island compared to the previous year’s Pro model. This seems to be the extent of the “new design” conversation. Earlier rumors of under-display Face ID do not seem to be materializing this year, so the phone might look almost identical to the current model from the front.

      Honestly, that’s the part that feels somewhat disappointing. Each year, we hope that Apple will surprise us with something visually new, something that makes the new iPhone feel exciting right from the moment you hold it. However, if these leaks are accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro seems to be more of a careful refinement. A smaller Dynamic Island is nice, but it hardly feels like a noticeable change for anyone outside of tech enthusiasts.

      Regarding colors, Prosser believes Apple could offer shades like light blue, dark cherry, dark gray, and silver this year. On the back, the phone is still anticipated to have 48MP camera sensors across the board, but the standout feature may not be the megapixel count. According to him, Apple might finally include a variable-aperture main camera in the iPhone, allowing the lens to adjust the amount of light it lets in based on the scene. In practical terms, this could lead to sharper images, improved low-light performance, and more natural depth in photos.

      The engine sound is louder, but the path remains consistent

      That said, there may be a slight compromise. The Camera Control button is reportedly designed to support only pressure-sensitive inputs this time, possibly due to Apple wanting to lower manufacturing costs. So while the company may be advancing camera hardware, it might also be simplifying a few aspects behind the scenes.

      Internally, the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to feature Apple’s new A20 Pro chip, which Prosser claims could be about 50% faster and 30% more power-efficient than its predecessor. However, battery upgrades appear to be quite modest. The Pro Max model might see a shift from a 5,100mAh battery to a slightly larger 5,200mAh unit, which isn’t exactly a dramatic improvement. One genuinely intriguing addition could be Apple’s new C2 modem. The Pro models are said to support satellite-based 5G connectivity, which sounds advanced.

      However, perhaps the most telling aspect of Prosser’s leak is that he seemed more enthusiastic about Apple’s rumored foldable device, tentatively named the iPhone Ultra. He indicates that this is the product expected to truly capture attention this year. Honestly, that speaks volumes. The iPhone 18 Pro sounds refined, powerful, and predictably high-end, yet it also feels like another lap around a very familiar track.