iPhone 18 Pro Max: What to expect from Apple’s next smartphone
By Katemarthason Okudo, August 25, 2026Apple’s next flagship smartphone is expected to arrive in September 2026, with the iPhone 18 Pro Max tipped to bring changes to the camera, display, performance and battery. However, it is important to note that the phone has not yet been officially released.
Expected release date
Apple plans to break away from this routine for the iPhone 18 generation, according to Forbes and multiple international publications.
Instead of dropping all models simultaneously, Apple is preparing a staggered release schedule split across two distinct windows. The flagship iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and Apple’s first foldable device are slated for September 2026.
Buyers waiting for the standard iPhone 18, the iPhone 18e, or the second-generation iPhone Air will have to wait until spring 2027.
A familiar but refined design
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to retain the large 6.9-inch display used on the current Pro Max generation. Rather than introducing a completely different shape, Apple could focus on making the existing design cleaner.
One of the most discussed changes is a smaller Dynamic Island. Reports suggest that some Face ID components could move beneath the display, reducing the space the cut-out occupies.
Camera could receive one of the biggest upgrades
Photography is expected to remain one of the main selling points of the Pro Max.
The biggest rumoured change is a variable-aperture main camera. Unlike a fixed aperture, this technology could allow the camera to control how much light enters the lens. This would give users more flexibility in bright and low-light conditions and could also improve control over background blur.
Reports also suggest that Apple could retain its triple-camera system while improving the sensors and image processing. The front camera is expected to receive an upgrade, with some reports pointing to a 24MP sensor.
New A20 Pro chip
Inside the phone, Apple is expected to introduce the A20 Pro chip, manufactured using a 2nm process. The new chip is expected to focus not only on faster performance but also on improved power efficiency.
For everyday users, this could mean smoother gaming, faster photo and video processing, and better handling of demanding applications. The efficiency improvements could also help the phone use less power during normal tasks.
The Pro Max is also expected to feature Apple’s newer C2 modem, which could improve cellular connectivity and power management.
Bigger battery and longer use
Battery life could be another major area of improvement. The iPhone 18 Pro Max may have a larger battery than its predecessor, although the exact capacity has not been confirmed by Apple.
A larger battery combined with a more efficient processor could give users more time between charges. The phone may also become slightly thicker to accommodate the additional battery capacity.
What about the price?
Apple has priced the iPhone 18 Pro Max from US$1,299, which is approximately Ksh168,000, for the 256GB model.
The 512GB version starts at US$1,499, or about Ksh194,000, while the 1TB model costs US$1,699, which translates to roughly Ksh220,000. Buyers opting for the top-end 2TB model will part with US$1,999, or approximately Ksh259,000, before taxes.
Those prices often appear much lower than what the same devices retail for in Kenya.
However, Apple’s listed prices in the United States do not include state sales tax. Depending on where the phone is purchased, buyers can pay up to about 10 per cent more before even leaving the country.
Importing the device also attracts several additional costs that many first-time buyers overlook.
For now, the iPhone 18 Pro Max remains an upcoming device rather than a released product. The camera, A20 Pro chip, smaller Dynamic Island, and possible battery improvements make it an interesting upgrade.