Apple is expected to bring several camera upgrades to the iPhone 18 Pro models this year, but there are no consistent rumors suggesting that these upgrades will require measurable, visible changes to the device’s rear camera platform. And yet a new series of dummies suggests just that.
iPhone 17 Pro dummy (left) vs. iPhone 18 Pro (photo: Vadim Yuryev)
Max Tech’s YouTube channel Vadim Yuryev recently shared images of dummy units for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max — as well as Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone. Dummy units are often created by third-party developers based on information from Apple’s partner factories.
Yuryev says that the dummy units “have very dense cameras… The black glass in the cameras comes out a little too.” He also says that the camera platform itself is “slightly larger” than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and provided the image above for comparison. The silver unit is an iPhone 18 Pro Max dummy, while the blue one is an iPhone 17 Pro Max dummy. Apart from the triple rear lens camera system, the dimensions of the two devices are said to be very similar – the same thickness, but a smaller height (.36mm) and width (.39mm) increased from the 18 Pro Max unit.
Yuryev says he is against the accuracy of the iPhone 18 Pro dummies, saying they should “look” like the iPhone 17 Pro units he received last year, which likely came from the same source – believed to be Sonny Dickson.
The main camera on the iPhone 18 Pro can have a variable aperture, which can give users more control over how their photos look. iPhone users will be able to manually adjust how much light the sensor receives, reduce overexposure and offer new customization options for lighting and depth of field.
The Telephoto lens on the iPhone 18 Pro models can also feature a larger aperture, allowing more light in poor lighting conditions.
At least one of the iPhone 18 Pro models may also feature a three-layer stacked image sensor developed by Samsung. An improved image sensor can make the camera more responsive, and can reduce noise, increase dynamic range, and more.
Will any of these upgrades require a larger camera module? Theoretically, but none of the leaks have clearly stated that the lenses on the 18 Pro model will be larger or that the camera platform will be stronger. It’s especially surprising since the industry is actively focusing on flat or close-up camera systems for future devices, but Apple may be taking a different approach.
We’ll know for sure when the devices arrive in mid-September alongside the company’s first foldable iPhone.
Update: Since this story was published, Yuryev has shared some comparative dimensions: The overall thickness of the iPhone 18 Pro Max including the camera platform is said to be 11.54mm (vs. 11.23mm for the iPhone 17 Pro Max), while the overall thickness including the lens bumps is 13.77mm (vs. 12.917mm for the iPhone Pro).