Apple is testing new camera miniaturization technology to reduce the size of the front-facing camera on next year's iPhone 18 Pro models, claims a Chinese leaker.


According to Digital Chat Station, a Weibo account with more than three million followers, Apple is testing a single HIIA (hole-in-active-area) hole punch for the front-facing camera, which is currently located within the Dynamic Island.

HIAA is a display manufacturing technique developed by Samsung and other display makers that integrates front-facing cameras into OLED panels without taking up too much of the active screen. The technique involves precisely drilling a small hole within the active pixel area using laser micro-drilling, resulting in a single ultra-compact aperture opening.

This isn't the first time Digital Chat Station has claimed Apple is testing HIAA technology for the iPhone 18 Pro models. Back in May, they said Apple was using it in conjunction with under-display Face ID technology. These comments came on the back of a report by The Information that also said under-screen Face ID was on the cards, and that Apple intends to position the pinhole for the front-facing camera in the top-left corner of the screen.

Today's report, however, is more ambiguous. The leaker says that as a result of using HIAA technology, the device's "screen shape will change" owing to the smaller camera hole design, but it's not entirely clear if this means the front camera will move position, or that it will remain part of a smaller Dynamic Island. There is also no mention of under-display Face ID.

More recent reports appear to corroborate claims that the iPhone 18 Pro models will have a smaller Dynamic Island, so this could be a better interpretation of Digital Chat Station's latest information.

In addition to Apple's use of HIAA, the leaker reiterated other previously shared details, including Apple's use of a rear lens with variable aperture, the same camera plateau design as the iPhone 17 Pro, and a "transparent design" for the Ceramic Shield area for MagSafe charging. Lastly, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is said to feature a "steel-shell battery" – likely a reference to a stainless steel vapor chamber cooling system that has previously been rumored.

The iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, the next iPhone Air, and a foldable iPhone are all expected to come out in September 2026, while the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e could follow in spring 2027, as part of a new split-cycle launch strategy for Apple.
This article, "iPhone 18 Pro Said to Feature Smaller Display Hole for Front Camera" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple's second iPhone Air model is in development and could feature two rear cameras instead of one, according to a Chinese leaker with sources within Apple's supply chain.


The Weibo-based account "Digital Chat Station" claims that Apple is evaluating a dual-lens setup for the next version of its ultra-thin iPhone, with a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera joining the existing 48MP Fusion Main camera, similar to the base iPhone 17.

However, the leaker says that the second-generation device will keep the distinctive horizontal camera plateau, suggesting the second lens will sit alongside the existing one, unlike the dual-lens vertical arrangement on the iPhone 17.

Multiple technologies are housed in the plateau of the iPhone Air to maximize space for the battery, so Apple would presumably need to redesign the internals considerably to fit in another camera. Apple will reportedly continue to focus on making the device ultra-thin and lightweight.


Apple will release a second-generation iPhone Air alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its first foldable iPhone in the second half of 2026, according to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Apple also plans to launch a third iPhone Air model with a larger display in the second half of 2027. That said, the first-generation device has apparently not been selling well outside of China, so Apple's plans could change.

Digital Chat Station has a decent track record for Apple rumors. They accurately revealed that the ‌iPhone‌ 15 and ‌iPhone‌ 15 Plus would feature a slightly smaller 48-megapixel sensor than the ‌iPhone‌ 15 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 15 Pro Max, as well as the display panel design of the ‌iPhone‌ 12 back in 2020.
This article, "2026 iPhone Air Could Feature Two Rear Cameras, Says Leaker" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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While the iPhone 17 series and the iPhone Air are still a few days away from launching, there are already some early rumors about the iPhone 18 Pro's design.


Overall, the iPhone 18 Pro models will feature a similar design as the iPhone 17 Pro models, according to Digital Chat Station, a previously-accurate leaker with more than three million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo.

In a post today, the leaker said the devices will have the same rear camera system design as the iPhone 17 Pro models, with a "plateau" housing three lenses in a triangular arrangement. He also expects the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max to have the same 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes used since the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Notably, the leaker claimed that the Ceramic Shield area on the back of the iPhone 18 Pro models will feature a "slightly transparent design," without elaborating.

The post also said the iPhone 18 Pro models will be equipped with a stainless steel vapor chamber cooling system. On the iPhone 17 Pro models, Apple says the vapor chamber is laser-welded into the aluminum unibody, but it is not entirely clear if it uses any other types of metal. Teardowns will provide a closer look at the vapor chamber in the coming days.

In related news, Taiwan's Commercial Times this week reported that iPhone 18 Pro models will be equipped with an A20 Pro chip, fabricated with TSMC's latest 2nm process. The devices will also feature Apple's C2 modem, rather than a Qualcomm modem, the report said. Both of these changes have been widely rumored already.

Like all sources, Digital Chat Station has some hits and misses. We are still a year out from the iPhone 18 Pro models, so expect plenty more rumors to follow. Even if early rumors are true, designs and specs can change before they are finalized.

Earlier this week, another leaker claimed the iPhone 18 Pro models will feature a smaller Dynamic Island, but they do not expect the devices to have under-screen Face ID.
This article, "iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Design Rumors: Translucent MagSafe Area, Display Sizes, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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