Alright, so here's the scoop. I've been digging around, and it sounds like Apple is gearing up to test the waters with the iPhone 18. Word on the street, or rather, on Weibo, is that trial production might kick off right after the Chinese New Year. Think of it as Apple dusting off the machines and getting back to work after a well-deserved break.

Now, I'm hearing that the production lines for the iPhone 18 Pro are already prepped and ready. That hints that Apple has finalized the design for its premium models. Don't expect any wild, over-the-top changes if you're envisioning a completely new-look iPhone. From what I can gather, the overall design won't be too far off from what we'll see on the iPhone 17 Pro. I imagine, the camera setup will remain in a similar arrangement. I think that's good, they are doing a pretty great job with the iPhone design.

What I'm also paying attention to is this potential split launch cycle. As the rumors say, we might see the iPhone 18 Pro alongside Apple's first foldable iPhone in September 2026. But, the standard iPhone 18 and a new "iPhone 18e" version might not show up until Spring 2027. If this pans out, it's a pretty big shift in how Apple usually does things, right?

I read somewhere, that Apple might be tweaking the Camera Control button on the iPhone 18. It looks like the physical button will still be there. That's a smart way to keep costs down while retaining functionality.

Looking under the hood, the standard iPhone 18 could get a RAM bump to 12GB in 2026. Also, it could feature the A20 chip based on TSMC's 2nm architecture. That's great for performance, because it will make a big difference. But details beyond that are pretty scarce at the moment.

Now, what about the iPhone 18 Pro? Well, expect Apple's A20 Pro chip. Furthermore, there are whispers of under-screen Face ID tech and a fancy new variable aperture lens. Not to mention, a new three-layer stacked image sensor made by Samsung might be in the works. Apple is also tipped to debut its next-gen, custom-made C2 modem.

I don't know about you, but it's got me excited. I think Apple is cooking up something interesting for the future. However, as always, it's important to take these leaks with a grain of salt. After all, things can change, and Apple likes to keep its secrets close to the vest until it's ready to unveil them. Still, it's fun to speculate and see what the future holds for the iPhone.