iPhone 18 Pro may ditch Qualcomm in some markets, leak suggests

Apple's next-generation iPhone Pro models could look familiar on the outside, but under the hood they may represent one of the company's most significant engineering shifts in years.

A fresh leak, based on prototype documentation allegedly linked to Apple's manufacturing supply chain, points to sweeping hardware changes for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The documents suggest Apple is preparing a new modem strategy, redesigning its flagship A20 Pro processor and upgrading the main camera, while tailoring certain features to specific regions.

As with all pre-release information, none of these details have been confirmed by Apple, and prototype hardware often changes before commercial production. Even so, the leaked documents provide an intriguing glimpse into how Apple's next premium iPhones could evolve.

Apple may split modem strategy between regions

One of the biggest revelations concerns Apple's cellular hardware.

The leaked documents suggest Apple could adopt different modem suppliers depending on where the iPhone 18 Pro is sold. Models destined for the United States are reportedly set to continue using Qualcomm's modem technology, primarily because Apple's in-house modem is still believed to lack support for ultra-fast 5G mmWave networks.

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Outside the US, however, the company is tipped to rely on its second-generation in-house modem, known as the Apple C2.

If accurate, this would mark Apple's most complex modem rollout yet. The company has already begun transitioning away from Qualcomm in recent iPhones, but the iPhone 18 Pro could become the first flagship where the hardware itself varies by region rather than by model alone.

The leaked schematics reportedly reference separate logic board designs, reinforcing speculation that Apple is developing two distinct versions of the handset.

The documents also hint at another regional change. iPhone 18 Pro models sold in mainland China could reportedly gain eSIM functionality, potentially ending Apple's long-standing reliance on dual physical SIM slots in that market.

iPhone 18 Pro: Chipset and camera

Beyond connectivity, Apple could also be rethinking how its flagship processor is built.

The leaked files indicate that the upcoming A20 Pro chip may adopt Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) packaging instead of the packaging technology Apple currently uses.

Rather than integrating every major component into a single package, the new approach could allow separate chiplets for processing, graphics and AI tasks. Such a design would give Apple greater flexibility when configuring future processors and could potentially improve thermal efficiency, performance scaling and manufacturing yields.

Prototype motherboard layouts also suggest internal components may be rearranged, with the processor positioned closer to the edge of the logic board while storage shifts deeper into the stacked board assembly. Whether those changes translate into better cooling or easier servicing remains unclear.

The camera system could also receive meaningful attention.

Diagnostic information contained in the leaked files reportedly points to a new primary image sensor replacing the Sony IMX903 currently used in the iPhone 17 Pro. The successor is believed to be Sony's custom IMX905 sensor, although its exact specifications remain unknown.

Industry rumours over the past year have consistently suggested Apple is working on a variable-aperture main camera for the iPhone 18 Pro. If that feature makes the final cut, users could see improved depth control and more natural background blur, reducing reliance on software-based portrait processing.

Taken together, the reported upgrades suggest Apple is focusing on fundamental hardware improvements rather than headline-grabbing cosmetic changes. A smarter modem strategy, redesigned silicon and camera enhancements could make the iPhone 18 Pro one of the company's most technically ambitious devices yet.

Still, there is one important caveat. The documents are said to describe prototype hardware at various stages of development, meaning some features could be altered or abandoned before Apple unveils the final devices. Until then, these leaks offer an early, but far from definitive, look at what may be coming next.