iPhone 18 Pro: the design could feature a semi-transparent back

While there is still nearly a year until the release of the iPhone 18, early technical leaks are already giving a glimpse into the innovations Apple is preparing for its next high-end generation.

According to the well-known Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station, the current prototypes being tested in Cupertino feature a main camera with a variable aperture as well as a new “transparent” back design, which would be a first in the history of iPhones.

iPhone 18 Pro: A Variable Aperture Camera for Greater Flexibility

One of the most notable changes would concern the main lens of the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max. Apple is purportedly testing a variable aperture system, capable of opening wider for low-depth-of-field portraits or closing up in bright sunlight to deliver a more detailed and well-exposed image.

Currently, the iPhone 15 Pro and 16 Pro utilize a fixed aperture of f/1.78.

With this new mechanism, the iPhone 18 could adapt to lighting conditions like a true reflex camera, a concept already explored by Huawei (Mate 60 Pro+) and Samsung (Galaxy S24 Ultra).

A report from the South Korean media ET News had already mentioned this technology, estimating that it has the best chances of being integrated into the 2026 models.

Face ID Under the Screen and “Punch-Hole” Front Camera

Apple is also working on a new layout for the front camera. According to the leak, the iPhone 18 Pro versions are testing a punch-hole design, similar to that of Android smartphones, replacing the current Dynamic Island.

Simultaneously, the company is continuing its experiments with a Face ID system fully integrated under the screen. If these tests prove successful, the 2026 generation may mark the visible end of the front cutout on Pro models.

A “Transparent” Back: A Unique Aesthetic Shift

Another intriguing novelty is that Apple is testing a semi-transparent back panel, which would partially reveal the internal components of the phone. This would be a complete departure from the minimalist design adopted in recent years — and could be a nod to the era of translucent iMac G3s.

This choice would aim to differentiate the Pro models while enhancing their “technological” character, reminiscent of the “Nothing” smartphones or certain gaming phone models.

A Stable Design but Targeted Evolution

Despite these innovations, the horizontal arrangement of the camera module (“horizontal deco”) will be retained. Apple appears to be seeking to blend aesthetic continuity with new optical features rather than a complete redesign of the chassis.

What’s Next? The iPhone 19 Could Celebrate 20 Years of iPhone

Some rumors suggest that Apple may reserve its most spectacular changes for the iPhone 19 (expected in 2027), coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the iPhone.

Innovations such as completely invisible Face ID, an under-display front camera, and a fully transparent back may debut there.

With the iPhone 18 Pro, Apple seems poised to reintroduce a degree of boldness and personalization in its design while elevating mobile photography to a new level of flexibility.

If the rumors hold true, the iPhone 18 could signify a shift towards a more experimental era as we await the major upheaval anticipated for the 20th anniversary of the iPhone in 2027.