Apple is reportedly gearing up to start trial production of the iPhone 18 as early as before the Chinese New Year, according to information shared by the Weibo-based leaker Fixed Focus Digital.
“Exclusive: After New Year’s Day, the iPhone 18 series will begin testing its mass production lines, with production expected to land as early as before the Lunar New Year. It is reported that the production line for the 18 Pro has already been set up, and the design changes are not as significant as many might imagine,” according to Fixed Focus Digital as translated from Chinese by Gemini.
According to the source, assembly lines for the iPhone 18 Pro models have already been established, signifying that Apple has finalized the Pro hardware design. The leaker also notes that the external design updates for the upcoming models will be more incremental than what some may have predicted. This aligns with industry expectations that the iPhone 18 Pro will maintain a similar overall design to the iPhone 17 Pro, with the familiar triple-lens rear camera system set within a new camera plateau.
Additionally, this timeline matches previous reports suggesting Apple is moving toward a staggered iPhone release schedule. Under this plan, the iPhone 18 Pro models are projected to launch in September 2026 alongside Apple’s anticipated first foldable iPhone. The standard iPhone 18 and an entry-level “iPhone 18e” would arrive later, reportedly targeting a spring 2027 release.
In terms of features, the upcoming iPhone 18 might introduce a streamlined Camera Control button that drops the capacitive sensor for cost savings, while still retaining pressure sensitivity for all functions. The standard model is also expected to receive a boost to 12GB of RAM and a new A20 chip based on TSMC’s 2nm process, though further details on specifications remain limited at this stage.
For the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, expectations include the debut of Apple’s A20 Pro chip, potential implementation of under-display Face ID, a variable aperture camera lens, and a three-layer stacked image sensor manufactured by Samsung. The devices are also set to be the launch vehicle for Apple’s next-generation, custom-designed C2 modem.
