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iPhone 18 on Nov. 12, 2025: Apple tipped to drop two‑tone back, test punch‑hole + under‑display Face ID, and reshuffle the 2026 lineup

November 12, 2025
by
iPhone 18 on Nov. 12, 2025: Apple tipped to drop two‑tone back, test punch‑hole + under‑display Face ID, and reshuffle the 2026 lineup
  • More uniform back: Multiple reports say Apple is moving away from the iPhone 17 Pro’s two‑tone rear to a single, uniform finish on at least the iPhone 18 Pro models. The change reportedly comes from a new rear‑glass process that minimizes the color difference between the glass cutout and the aluminum panel. [1]
  • Front design in flux: For 2026’s iPhone 18 Pro, some leakers still expect under‑display Face ID with only a small punch‑hole for the selfie camera; others now forecast a smaller hole‑punch without under‑display Face ID in 2026. [2]
  • All‑screen milestone in 2027: The 20th‑anniversary iPhone (2027) is again rumored to hide the selfie camera under the display for a truly bezel‑free look. [3]
  • Lineup shake‑up (today’s news context): Following The Information’s reporting, major outlets note iPhone Air 2 is delayed, with Apple now eyeing spring 2027—leaving fall 2026 focused on iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and a foldable iPhone if plans hold. [4]
  • Foldable optics rumor: JP Morgan–sourced notes indicate Apple’s first foldable could use a 24MP under‑display camera, far above today’s typical 4–8MP UDCs. [5]

What’s new today (Nov. 12, 2025)

The Verge updated its coverage to reflect The Information’s follow‑up: iPhone Air 2 has been pushed past fall 2026 and is now “likely” spring 2027, in part to add a second rear camera. That sequencing—Pro and Fold in fall 2026, base iPhone 18/18e (and possibly the revised Air) in spring 2027—would make next fall’s lineup Apple’s most unusual in years. [6]

Reuters also summarized the delay off The Information’s reporting, underlining weak demand for the first‑gen Air and Apple’s silence on the matter. [7]

9to5Mac’s analysis lays out the implication: unless Apple pulls the base iPhone 18 back into fall, only three models might arrive next September—iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Fold—which would push the entry price higher than usual. [8]

The rear design: goodbye two‑tone, hello uniform back

The iPhone 17 Pro family introduced an aluminum chassis with a glass cutout around MagSafe hardware, creating a subtle two‑tone effect. For iPhone 18 Pro, leaker Instant Digital (Weibo) says Apple is adopting a new rear‑glass process that makes the finish appear more seamless across materials. AppleInsider rates this “Possible,” while MacRumors echoes the claim of a more unified look. [9]

A separate rumor roundup (Wccftech) adds color testing (brown/purple/burgundy) and reiterates that Apple is iterating on the Pro hardware rather than overhauling it externally—though some whispers go further (e.g., translucent elements) and should be treated as speculative. [10]

The front: smaller cutout in 2026, invisible camera in 2027?

Two tracks have emerged:

  1. 2026 iPhone 18 Pro (front)
    • Under‑display Face ID with a small punch‑hole for the selfie camera remains a leading scenario in long‑running supply‑chain chatter. Earlier reports this year suggested Face ID hardware moves under the screen while the selfie camera remains visible. [11]
    • However, newer briefings point to Apple using HIAA (hole‑in‑active‑area) OLED tech to shrink the camera opening in 2026—without fully hiding Face ID yet. That would still reduce the visual footprint versus today’s Dynamic Island. [12]
  2. 2027 iPhone (20th anniversary)
    • Multiple outlets now align on Apple burying the selfie camera under the display in 2027, delivering an all‑screen iPhone with no visible cutouts when idle. Today’s note flow re‑ups that timeline. [13]

Why the caution? Under‑display cameras traditionally suffer from light loss and image distortion; Apple suppliers like LG Innotek are said to be developing freeform optics to compensate—one reason analysts believe Apple is staggering Face ID vs. camera timelines across 2026–2027. [14]

Lineup and timing: how the Air 2 delay reshapes 2026–2027

  • Air 2 delay: Apple has reportedly pulled iPhone Air 2 from fall 2026, now targeting spring 2027; production of the current Air is sharply scaled back. The change appears aimed at adding a second rear camera after critiques of the single‑lens Air. [15]
  • Fall 2026: Expect iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a foldable iPhone if plans hold. That could temporarily raise the “entry” price tier each fall. [16]
  • Spring 2027: Base iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 are the models most often mentioned for this window. Apple has not confirmed any of these plans. [17]

Foldable iPhone camera rumor: a 24MP under‑display leap

While not an iPhone 18, Apple’s first foldable, tipped for fall 2026, continues to pick up camera chatter. A JP Morgan equity note (reported by MacRumors) points to an industry‑first 24MP under‑display camera inside the foldable’s main screen—far higher resolution than typical UDCs used elsewhere—though editorial skepticism remains about image quality. [18]

Other iPhone 18 Pro rumors to watch

  • Sizes: Pro models are expected to retain ~6.3‑inch and ~6.9‑inch displays, similar to iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max. [19]
  • Silicon & modem: An A20‑class chip fabricated on TSMC 2nm and Apple’s next‑gen C2 modem are making the rounds in rumor roundups; as always, treat pre‑announcements cautiously. [20]

What this means for buyers

If you prefer the cleanest back design, waiting for iPhone 18 Pro could deliver exactly that. If you care most about a front that “disappears,” the 2026 Pro phones may reduce the cutout size—but the fullly invisible selfie camera isn’t expected until 2027, according to today’s round of corroborating reports. And if you were eyeing a second‑gen iPhone Air, planning cycles now point to spring 2027, not next fall. [21]

FAQ

Will iPhone 18 Pro have under‑display Face ID?
Most recent briefings say yes for 2026, but with a visible (smaller) punch‑hole for the selfie camera. Some sources still expect under‑display Face ID and a small punch‑hole in 2026; others now suggest only the punch‑hole in 2026, with the selfie camera moving under‑display in 2027. [22]

Is Apple really ditching the two‑tone back?
That’s the current consensus from AppleInsider/MacRumors reporting out of Weibo: a more uniform back is planned for iPhone 18 Pro. [23]

What’s HIAA and why does it matter?
HIAA (hole‑in‑active‑area) is a technique to laser‑drill a tiny aperture in the OLED’s active pixel area so the camera sees through fewer layers, helping shrink the visible cutout and improve clarity. It’s a likely stepping stone before a fully hidden selfie camera. [24]

When are the next iPhones coming?
Rumor timelines today: Pro + Fold in fall 2026, then base iPhone 18/18e and the delayed Air 2 in spring 2027. Apple has not announced any dates. [25]

Sources & further reading

  • Apple to unify iPhone 18 back design — AppleInsider; MacRumors; Wccftech. [26]
  • Under‑display camera & all‑screen 2027 iPhone — Nasdaq/RTTNews; MacRumors. [27]
  • iPhone Air 2 delay and lineup implications — The Verge (updated Nov. 11); Reuters; 9to5Mac analysis. [28]
  • Foldable iPhone 24MP UDC — MacRumors; Tom’s Guide. [29]
BREAKING: Apple's 2026 Products LEAKED - 20 NEW Devices!
Watch this video on YouTube.

References

1. appleinsider.com, 2. www.macrumors.com, 3. www.nasdaq.com, 4. www.theverge.com, 5. www.macrumors.com, 6. www.theverge.com, 7. www.reuters.com, 8. 9to5mac.com, 9. appleinsider.com, 10. wccftech.com, 11. www.macrumors.com, 12. www.macrumors.com, 13. www.nasdaq.com, 14. www.nasdaq.com, 15. www.theverge.com, 16. 9to5mac.com, 17. 9to5mac.com, 18. www.macrumors.com, 19. wccftech.com, 20. wccftech.com, 21. appleinsider.com, 22. www.macrumors.com, 23. appleinsider.com, 24. www.macrumors.com, 25. 9to5mac.com, 26. appleinsider.com, 27. www.nasdaq.com, 28. www.theverge.com, 29. www.macrumors.com

Mateusz Brzeziński

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