Apple announces iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max with major camera upgrades
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are official!
Apple announced its next-generation iPhone lineup at its big September “Surprise and Shine” event on Wednesday, after months of rumors and leaks about the devices.
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will have starting prices of $1,199 and $1,299. Preorders begin on Sept. 12 and the new iPhones will officially be released on Sept. 18.
Meet the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max specs, which include new A20 Pro
Credit: Apple
As expected, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max arrive with critical upgrades:
The new Apple smartphones will be powered by the company’s latest Silicon chipset, the A20 Pro. The A20 Pro was built for AI processing, just as Apple launches the new Siri AI with iOS 27, so it will easily be able to handle Apple’s most advanced new AI features. Apple said it had to completely redesign its Silicon chipset in order to create the A20 Pro.
In addition to the chip itself, Apple created a brand-new next-generation vapor chamber to keep the iPhone cool and deliver the highest possible performance.
And Apple really showcased that power during the event by focusing on Apple Intelligence and all-new Siri AI features.
New iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max colors revealed
As leaked by a few third-party case makers last week, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will be available in four colors: black, silver, burgundy, and a light blue, which Apple is calling “glacier.
Credit: Apple
Apple’s new CEO, John Ternus, specifically confirmed that the iPhone 18 Pro models will be available in an “incredibly deep black,” answering users’ complaints about the lack of a black colorway in the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
iPhone 18 battery life
Reports previously claimed that the premium iPhone 18 models would be receiving a big battery upgrade, and Apple delivered. Even though the iPhone 18 Pro is smaller than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple says it delivers the same battery life. As for the iPhone 18 Pro Max, Apple is calling it the “the largest increase of battery life ever on iPhone.”
Apple says the iPhone 18 Pro provides 36 hours of video playback and 24 hours of battery life per charge. The iPhone 18 Pro Max has 45 hours of video playback and lasts 30 hours per charge. Apple also says that the iPhone 18 Pro can reach 50 percent charge in 15 minutes. Just 5 minutes of charging time result in an additional 6 hours of video playback.
Credit: Apple
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max cameras get massive upgrade
This is the big upgrade. Speculation about the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max camera upgrades has been spreading online for years. The new Pro iPhone 18 models introduce a physical variable aperture in their 48MP fusion main camera, providing users with ultimate control over depth of field and low-light photography. Apple says it included laser-cut components thinner than a human hair to pull this off.
In addition to the anticipated variable aperture, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max have new Pro Controls for more professional photo and video outputs.
Credit: Apple
Apple also introduced Apple Reference Image, which signs photo data on each image to confirm what was actually in the shot.
Smaller Dynamic Island: The Dynamic Island has been shrunk, while simultaneously gaining additional functionality with 3-in-1 activity display.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max prices
The iPhone 18 Pro will launch at a starting price of $1199 while the iPhone Pro Max will start at $1299
This is a developing story…
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