The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max have officially hit the market today, and the inevitable has already happened: someone has taken one apart on camera. A new teardown video of the iPhone 18 Pro has surfaced on YouTube, offering the first real look inside Apple’s latest flagship. If you’ve been waiting to see what makes the new model tick, this is your earliest opportunity. Just a heads-up: the video features an AI-generated voiceover, so prepare yourself for that particular experience.
The teardown begins like many others, with the removal of the pentalobe screws at the bottom of the device. From there, the procedure involves applying heat, using a suction cup, and carefully working with alcohol to lift the display. It’s a delicate dance, but it reveals the first major internal change: the smaller Dynamic Island. This reduction in size is achieved by relocating the infrared camera beneath the display panel. The pixels covering that sensor are a key part of how Apple manages to shrink the cutout without sacrificing functionality.
Inside the iPhone 18 Pro: A First Look
Teardowns are always a mix of curiosity and engineering appreciation. They show us not just what’s new, but how Apple continues to refine its internal architecture. The iPhone 18 Pro is no exception. While the external design may look familiar, the internal layout tells a story of evolution and compromise. The video, though brief, gives us plenty to unpack.
Display Removal and the Smaller Dynamic Island
The first challenge in any modern iPhone teardown is the display. Apple’s adhesive game is strong, and the iPhone 18 Pro is no different. After unscrewing the pentalobe screws, the technician applies heat to soften the adhesive, then uses a suction cup to create a gap. Alcohol is injected to help break the bond further. It’s a slow, methodical process that requires patience and the right tools.
Once the display is finally free, the reason for the smaller Dynamic Island becomes clear. The infrared camera, previously part of the front-facing sensor array within the cutout, has been moved under the screen. This is a significant engineering feat. The display pixels above the IR camera are specially designed to allow infrared light to pass through while still functioning as normal pixels for the user. This allows Apple to reduce the physical size of the Dynamic Island without losing Face ID functionality.
It’s a clever solution that hints at where Apple is heading: a future iPhone with no visible cutout at all. For now, the smaller Dynamic Island is a step in that direction, and seeing it achieved through under-display technology is impressive.
Battery and Internal Layout
With the display removed, the battery takes center stage. The iPhone 18 Pro appears to use a similar L-shaped battery design to its predecessor, but there may be subtle changes in capacity or connector placement. The teardown doesn’t provide exact mAh numbers, but it’s clear that Apple has maintained its focus on maximizing space efficiency.
The internal layout is a tightly packed puzzle. Components are arranged to make the most of every millimeter. The logic board, now more compact than ever, sits alongside the battery and camera modules. The use of flexible cables and connectors is extensive, allowing for modularity during assembly and repair. However, as always, the adhesive and proprietary screws mean that DIY repairs are not for the faint of heart.
Camera System and Other Components
The rear camera array is another area of interest. The iPhone 18 Pro features an updated sensor setup, and the teardown reveals how the modules are mounted. The larger sensors require precise alignment and sturdy housing to prevent movement. The video shows the camera assembly being carefully disconnected, highlighting the complexity of modern smartphone photography.
Other notable components include the Taptic Engine, which provides haptic feedback, and the speaker modules. These are familiar sights in iPhone teardowns, but their integration continues to improve. The earpiece speaker, for instance, now doubles as a secondary speaker for stereo sound, and its placement is optimized for the new internal layout.
The teardown also reveals the presence of thermal management materials. Apple has been increasingly focused on cooling, especially with the powerful A-series chips. The iPhone 18 Pro likely uses graphite pads and possibly a vapor chamber to dissipate heat. While the video doesn’t go into deep detail, the visible layers suggest that thermal performance is a priority.
What the Teardown Tells Us About Repairability
Repairability has become a hot topic in recent years, with right-to-repair legislation gaining traction worldwide. Apple has made some strides, offering self-repair programs and designing some components to be more accessible. However, the iPhone 18 Pro teardown suggests that the company still prioritizes sleek design and water resistance over easy access.
The display, for instance, requires significant effort to remove. The adhesive is strong, and the process involves heat and solvents. This makes screen replacements challenging for amateurs. The battery is also secured with adhesive strips, though these are somewhat easier to deal with. The use of pentalobe screws at the bottom is a reminder that Apple still wants to control who opens its devices.
On the positive side, the modular design of some components means that certain parts can be replaced without soldering. The camera modules, for example, connect via cables. The Taptic Engine is also a separate unit. This modularity can reduce repair costs and e-waste if done right. But the overall repairability score is likely to remain low, as is typical for modern iPhones.
Under-Display IR Camera: A Technical Deep Dive
The most talked-about feature of the iPhone 18 Pro’s internals is the under-display infrared camera. This is what enables the smaller Dynamic Island. But how does it work? Infrared light is used by Face ID to map your face in 3D. Traditionally, the IR camera sits in the notch or Dynamic Island area, taking up space. By moving it under the display, Apple frees up that area for more screen real estate.
The challenge is that display pixels are not transparent to infrared light. Apple’s solution involves designing the pixels above the IR camera to be transparent to IR while still emitting visible light for the user. This requires special materials and manufacturing processes. The result is a seamless look where the camera is invisible to the naked eye but still functions perfectly.
This technology is not entirely new; other manufacturers have experimented with under-display cameras for selfies. However, Apple’s implementation is specifically for IR, which is easier because IR doesn’t need to capture high-resolution images. It just needs to detect patterns of infrared light. This makes the engineering challenge more manageable, but still impressive.
Implications for Future iPhones
The move to under-display IR is a stepping stone. Eventually, Apple may also place the front-facing camera under the display, eliminating the need for any cutout. That would result in a truly all-screen iPhone. The iPhone 18 Pro’s smaller Dynamic Island is a sign that Apple is inching closer to that goal. Each generation brings us nearer to a seamless display.
For now, the smaller Dynamic Island is a welcome change. It’s less obtrusive and allows for more content to be displayed. The teardown confirms that this is not just a software trick but a hardware redesign. It’s a tangible improvement that users will notice.
Performance and Cooling: What’s Under the Hood
While the teardown video doesn’t show the chip itself in detail, we know the iPhone 18 Pro is powered by the A18 Pro chip. This is Apple’s latest silicon, built on a 3nm process. It promises faster performance and better efficiency. The teardown reveals the logic board where the chip resides, but without removing the shielding, we can’t see much. However, the board appears densely packed, with little wasted space.
Cooling is handled by a combination of graphite sheets and possibly a vapor chamber. The video shows a black layer covering part of the board, which is likely graphite. This helps spread heat away from the chip. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to handle gaming and heavy tasks better than previous models thanks to these improvements. The teardown doesn’t test thermal performance, but the presence of these materials is a good sign.
Battery life is another key factor. The battery in the iPhone 18 Pro appears to be similar in size to the iPhone 17 Pro, but with software optimizations and a more efficient chip, battery life should be improved. The teardown doesn’t provide capacity details, but we can expect all-day battery life for most users.
Conclusion: What We Learned from the First Teardown
The first iPhone 18 Pro teardown video gives us a valuable glimpse inside Apple’s newest flagship. The smaller Dynamic Island, enabled by an under-display IR camera, is the headline change. It’s a technical achievement that points to a future with no cutouts at all. The internal layout is refined, with a focus on space efficiency and thermal management. Repairability remains a mixed bag, with modular components but tough adhesive and proprietary screws.
As more teardowns emerge, we’ll learn even more about the iPhone 18 Pro’s internals. For now, this video satisfies our curiosity and confirms that Apple continues to innovate, even if the external design looks familiar. The iPhone 18 Pro is a testament to incremental progress, and the teardown is a reminder that there’s a lot going on beneath the surface.
If you’re considering a purchase, the teardown suggests a well-built device that should perform admirably. Just don’t try to open it yourself unless you have the right skills and tools. For everyone else, enjoy the view from the outside—and the smaller Dynamic Island.
