CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – Apple has launched the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, featuring a variable-aperture camera, extended battery life, and the new A20 Pro chip. These flagship models introduce manual camera controls and a redesigned Dynamic Island. Both devices operate on iOS 27 and support Siri AI via Apple Intelligence. Preorders commence on September 12, with the phones becoming available from September 18 in over 65 countries and regions.
The 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera now offers users four different aperture options. Six laser-cut blades regulate the opening, enabling control over depth of field and light intake. Adjustments to shutter speed and white balance can also be made within the Camera app. New Pro features include a histogram for exposure assessment. Video recording capabilities include Cinematic effects at up to 60 frames per second post-capture, and 4K resolution time-lapse recordings with Dolby Vision HDR are supported.
Additionally, the camera system introduces the Reference Image feature, which captures signed sensor data when Reference mode is activated. Private Cloud Compute then processes this data into a reference image for comparison within the Photos app. This aims to assist users in determining if an image has changed after capturing. Support for SynthID will be added through a software update later this year. Greg Joswiak, senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, stated that the new lineup enhances camera capabilities, performance, battery life, and intelligence.
The new camera system offers enhanced manual controls
Powered by the A20 Pro processor built on a 2-nanometer process, the device includes a six-core CPU and a seven-core GPU. It also features a Dual 16-core Neural Engine with a total of 32 cores. Apple claims the GPU is up to 40% faster than the A19 Pro. A redesigned vapor chamber increases the cooling surface area, while the improved thermal system, combined with updated chip packaging, sustains higher performance during intensive tasks.
Battery life sees improvements across both Pro models, especially in eSIM-only versions. The iPhone 18 Pro offers up to 36 hours of video playback, while the Pro Max extends that duration to 45 hours. Wired charging can bring the battery to 50% in approximately 15 minutes. eSIM-only models will be released in markets including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, along with several other countries outside the Middle East.
Siri AI enhances Apple Intelligence features on iOS 27
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are shipped with iOS 27, which provides access to the latest Apple Intelligence functionalities. Siri AI begins beta testing on September 14 for supported devices set to English. Support for French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish is expected in October. Siri AI can analyze messages, emails, and photos to provide relevant information. It also responds to on-screen content and assists with tasks through the Camera app.
Pricing for the iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 in the United States, with the Pro Max beginning at $1,299. Customers can select storage options of 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB. Available finishes include black, silver, glacier, and burgundy. Orders open at 5 a.m. Pacific Time on September 12, with sales beginning on September 18 in the initial markets. An additional 20 countries and regions will receive the iPhone 18 Pro lineup starting September 25.