Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are shaping up as significant upgrades over the current generation, with leaks pointing to a variable aperture camera system, the powerful A20 Pro processor on a 2nm process, enhanced connectivity via in-house chips and refinements to the display and design. Analysts and supply chain reports suggest these flagship models will debut in September 2026, maintaining Apple’s traditional fall launch timeline while potentially introducing a split release strategy for the broader iPhone 18 lineup.
iPhone 18 Pro Max
The iPhone 18 Pro series remains about seven months from announcement, but details from reliable sources like GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu, Ming-Chi Kuo and others have coalesced around several key improvements. These focus on photography versatility, performance efficiency, battery life and modem independence from Qualcomm.
Display and Design Refinements The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to retain a 6.3-inch display, with the Pro Max at approximately 6.9 inches, using advanced LTPO+ OLED technology for smoother refresh rates up to 120Hz and better power management. A smaller Dynamic Island is widely anticipated, achieved by relocating Face ID’s flood illuminator under the screen. This would create a cleaner front view without altering overall dimensions significantly.
External design changes appear minimal. The rear camera module is rumored to mirror the iPhone 17 Pro’s raised “plateau” with a triangular lens arrangement, avoiding drastic shifts. Some leaks suggest a more unified, polished look without two-tone finishes, potentially in new premium colors like coffee brown, purple or burgundy. The build remains aluminum with improved durability, though one report notes possible added weight or thickness for the Pro Max to accommodate larger internals.
Camera System Upgrades Photography stands out as a major focus. The main 48-megapixel Fusion camera on both Pro models is tipped to introduce a variable aperture mechanism—a first for iPhone. This physical adjustment would let users control light intake dynamically, enhancing low-light performance, depth of field control and creative flexibility similar to DSLR lenses. While smartphone sensor size limits extreme benefits, it promises greater versatility in varied lighting.
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Additional rumors include a three-layer stacked image sensor (potentially from Samsung, shifting from Sony) for better noise reduction, dynamic range and responsiveness. Telephoto lenses may see aperture improvements for sharper zoomed shots. The ultra-wide and selfie cameras could also receive boosts, supporting advanced computational photography and Apple Intelligence features.
Processor and Performance Powering the devices will be the A20 Pro chip, fabricated on TSMC’s first-generation 2nm process. This node jump from the A19 Pro’s process is expected to deliver around 15% better performance and 30% improved efficiency through higher transistor density. Advanced packaging, possibly Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM), could integrate RAM closer to the CPU, GPU and Neural Engine for faster on-device AI tasks and extended battery life.
RAM is rumored at 12GB across Pro models, supporting more demanding Apple Intelligence capabilities and multitasking.
Connectivity and Battery Enhancements Apple continues its modem transition with the in-house C2 chip replacing Qualcomm components in the Pro lineup. The C2 promises faster 5G speeds, better efficiency, mmWave support in the U.S. and potential satellite features like expanded messaging or internet. Paired with the N2 wireless chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, connectivity should see substantial gains.
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Battery capacity is tipped to increase, with the Pro Max potentially reaching 5,100-5,200mAh for up to 40 hours of use. Combined with efficiency improvements from the A20 Pro and optimized iOS, endurance could set new benchmarks.
Launch Timeline and Pricing Expectations Apple traditionally unveils flagships in early September, with pre-orders and availability following shortly after. Reports indicate the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max and a new foldable model (possibly iPhone Fold) will launch in fall 2026. The standard iPhone 18 and lower-tier variants may shift to spring 2027 due to manufacturing priorities favoring premium devices.
Pricing rumors suggest stability for base models, with no major hikes expected despite rising component costs. The iPhone 18 Pro could start around $1,099 (or equivalent in other markets), maintaining accessibility while offering meaningful upgrades.
As speculation builds, these features position the iPhone 18 Pro series as a compelling evolution rather than revolution, emphasizing refinement in key areas like imaging and efficiency. With Apple’s focus on on-device AI and ecosystem integration, the 2026 flagships aim to solidify leadership in premium smartphones.
Bath & Body Works Champagne Toast body wash, with no minimum shipping threshold, is now just a click away for Amazon Prime members.
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The mall-favorite brand is making some of its best-selling fragrances, body washes, hand soaps and candles available for Amazon’s U.S. shoppers. The selection is also eligible for Prime shipping.
Amazon is the No. 1 online destination for U.S. beauty shoppers, accounting for 47% of the online beauty and personal care market in the U.S. in 2024, according to Euromonitor. Sephora is second with 9% share. Euromonitor estimates 39% of all beauty and personal care sales take place online.
“Launching our first authorized brand storefront on Amazon allows us to put ourselves directly in the path of the consumer,” Bath & Body Works CEO Daniel Heaf told CNBC. “It’s about meeting them where they already shop.”
The Amazon launch marks the latest effort by Columbus, Ohio-based Bath & Body Works to expand its access points for customers. Last year, it began selling its products in college campus stores — with a footprint of now more than 1,000 locations — in the company’s first points of sale outside its roughly 2,600 owned and franchised stores and its own website.
Heaf recently laid out his “plan to return [Bath & Body Works] to profitable, sustainable growth.” He calls it a “consumer-first formula” with four pillars: creating disruptive and innovative products, reigniting the brand, winning in the marketplace, and operating with speed and efficiency.
The Amazon partnership, Heaf said, “is the first of many milestones that we’ll be delivering this fiscal year against that strategy.”
Before the official storefront launch, Bath & Body Works products were sold on Amazon through third-party resellers.
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Now, Heaf says the company is attempting to reclaim the brand story on Amazon — and those marketplace sales.
Amazon: Friend or foe?
While Amazon has many first-party relationships with brands from Nike to Calvin Klein that use wholesale partnerships as part of their business models, there are few examples of retailers selling on the site that design, manufacture and sell their products entirely on their own.
For those so-called vertically integrated brands, like Bath & Body Works, Amazon is increasingly filling the role of skilled logistics partner rather than retailer.
Gap, J. Crew and Everlane are similarly vertically integrated and have small selections of branded products for sale on Amazon.
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Gap began selling what it calls “core basics for the whole family” in 2022 through a wholesale relationship, where Amazon owns and sells the products, which are Prime eligible. Gap has said its goal is to reach new or lapsed customers as well as provide existing shoppers the convenience for “core essentials.”
Under Bath & Body Works new agreement with Amazon, the brand will retain ownership of the inventory and control pricing, but will use Amazon’s fulfillment partners network for Prime eligibility.
Everlane declined to comment on its Amazon partnership. J. Crew did not respond to request for comment.
Jewelry company Kendra Scott has an authorized storefront on Amazon after initially opposing the partnership — even though it had wholesale relationships with other retailers, including Macy’s and Nordstrom. But over time, the brand began to view Amazon as another opportunity to reach shoppers rather than a competitive threat, according to a person familiar with the company’s decision making, who spoke about internal matters on the condition of anonymity.
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On its own website, Bath & Body Works is making it easier for shoppers to place their orders. The company lowered its free shipping threshold to $50 from $100 last month.
Still, Heaf admits, “We know that we will never compete with Amazon in terms of their Prime Network. No one is going to be offering next-day shipping. That’s just not what we’re in the business of. And so I think that by going on Amazon, we are also making our own site more competitive but recognizing that our job is not to build a fulfillment network that can operate at the speed of Amazon.”
“It’s no secret that our industry is facing significant headwinds,” Chief Executive Rahul Goyal said during Wednesday’s CAGNY conference shortly after the company reported results.
Sam Jones, Mark Pownall, Gary Adshead and Claire Tyrrell discuss the dim sum scandal; a $900k government severance package; ECU Mount Lawley’s future and other major news of the week.
EBay will acquire the secondhand fashion platform Depop from EtsyETSY 9.28%increase; green up pointing triangle for approximately $1.2 billion, adding an app popular with younger consumers to the online auction site’s core marketplace business.
Jamie Iannone, chief executive officer of eBayEBAY 3.13%increase; green up pointing triangle, said Wednesday that the addition of Depop to its portfolio would boost its footprint while also expanding its presence in the fashion market.
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The luxury car maker warned earnings will fall below £184m for 2025 as it also sells F1 team naming rights for £50m
Henry Saker-Clark PA Deputy Business Editor
10:20, 20 Feb 2026
The Aston Martin logo(Image: PA)
Aston Martin has cautioned that it will report lower-than-anticipated profits for the previous year, driven by declining sales as it grapples with pressure from US tariffs. The news came as the luxury car manufacturer also revealed the sale of naming rights for its Aston Martin F1 team to a related party in a bid to bolster its finances.
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London-listed Aston Martin Lagonda has been pressing ahead with efforts to turn its fortunes around under Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll. However, the company shed light on the scale of the challenge ahead with its latest profit warning update.
The car manufacturer told shareholders on Friday that gross profit margins and adjusted earnings before interest and tax are expected to come in “slightly below” the lower end of analyst expectations.
This means the Warwickshire-based company is anticipating earnings below £184 million for 2025.
Senior figures said it followed the company navigating “a highly challenging trading environment” throughout the year.
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The firm stressed that it made headway on its transformation despite mounting pressure from increased tariffs in the US and a decline in deliveries of higher-margin Special model vehicles.
Total wholesale volumes fell to 5,448 in 2025, down from 6,030 the previous year, the company confirmed.
The US remains the car maker’s largest market, though it was struck by a 10% tariff last year, reduced from a previously planned 27.5%.
Aston Martin has taken steps in recent months to strengthen its financial position, including scaling back investment plans last October. The company revealed on Friday a £50 million agreement to sell the naming rights of its Aston Martin F1 Team to associated party AMR GP Holdings.
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Under the terms of the deal, AMR will retain use of the Aston Martin name in F1 through to 2055. Executives confirmed the agreement would strengthen Aston Martin’s liquidity position.
Aston Martin has its headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, with a manufacturing base in St Athan, South Wales, and a base in Newport Pagnell.
