CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – Apple has introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, boasting new camera hardware, a more powerful processor, and longer-lasting batteries. These models showcase a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera with a variable aperture. Additionally, they are equipped with the A20 Pro chip and a redesigned vapor chamber aimed at enhancing sustained performance. The company has reduced the size of the Dynamic Island while expanding its capabilities. Preorders commence on September 12, with initial retail sales starting September 18.
The upgraded Main camera incorporates six laser-cut blades to regulate the aperture across four settings. Users are able to manually adjust aperture, shutter speed, and white balance directly within the Camera app. The interface now includes a histogram to help monitor exposure during framing. Apple has enhanced Photographic Styles with new controls for texture and grain. Video recording can now utilize Cinematic effects after capturing footage at up to 60 frames per second. Furthermore, time-lapse recording supports 4K video with Dolby Vision HDR.
A new feature, called Apple Reference Image, emphasizes verifying the authenticity of photographs. This mode captures signed sensor data along with images taken with the Main camera. Private Cloud Compute processes this data into a reference image for comparison within the Photos app. Users can then analyze it against the primary photo to detect any visible alterations. Apple plans to add SynthID support later in 2026. Greg Joswiak, Apple’s global marketing chief, emphasized improvements in camera, performance, battery life, and intelligence during the launch event.
Variable aperture introduces enhanced control for iPhone photography
The A20 Pro chip is built on a 2-nanometer manufacturing process and features a six-core CPU alongside a seven-core GPU. Apple claims the GPU provides performance up to 40% faster than the A19 Pro. The chip also integrates a Dual 16-core Neural Engine, totaling 32 cores. A redesigned thermal system positions the processor closer to a larger vapor chamber, which offers three times more surface area than the previous version. Apple states this design supports up to 40% higher sustained performance.
Battery enhancements are particularly noticeable on eSIM-only models, which utilize space previously allocated for a physical SIM tray. Apple’s testing shows the iPhone 18 Pro can deliver up to 36 hours of video playback, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max reaches up to 45 hours. Wired charging can bring the device to 50% in approximately 15 minutes. eSIM-only variants will initially launch in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, among other markets.
iOS 27 introduces Siri AI and broader Apple Intelligence capabilities
Both models of the iPhone 18 Pro will run on iOS 27 and support the latest Apple Intelligence features. Siri AI enters beta on September 14 for supported devices configured in English. Support for French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish will follow in October. Siri AI can leverage personal context from messages, emails, and photos to respond to requests. It can also act upon information displayed on the device screen. Supported cloud-based tasks use Private Cloud Compute, while other Apple Intelligence functions operate directly on the device.
Pricing for the iPhone 18 Pro begins at $1,199 in the United States, with the Pro Max starting at $1,299. Customers can choose from storage options of 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB. The models are available in black, silver, glacier, and burgundy. Preorders open at 5 a.m. Pacific Time on September 12, with sales starting on September 18 across more than 65 countries and regions. An additional 20 markets will join the rollout on September 25, expanding the availability of Apple’s new Pro lineup.