Apple has launched the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max at its 'Surprise and Shine' event on Wednesday. The new models bring several changes over the iPhone 17 Pro series, including Apple's latest A20 Pro chip, a new C2 modem and a redesigned vapour chamber. There's also a major camera change this time, with variable aperture making its debut on an iPhone.
Battery life gets an upgrade too. Apple claims the iPhone 18 Pro can last for up to 24 hours on a single charge, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max is rated for up to 30 hours.
iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max Specifications
| Specification | iPhone 18 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ₹1,64,900 | ₹1,79,900 |
| US Starting Price | $1,199 | $1,299 |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
| Display | 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Refresh Rate | ProMotion, Always-On | ProMotion, Always-On |
| Processor | A20 Pro | A20 Pro |
| CPU | 6-core | 6-core |
| GPU | 7-core | 7-core |
| Neural Engine | Dual 16-core | Dual 16-core |
| Main Camera | 48MP Fusion with Variable Aperture | 48MP Fusion with Variable Aperture |
| Ultrawide Camera | 48MP | 48MP |
| Telephoto Camera | 48MP | 48MP |
| Front Camera | 18MP Autofocus with Centre Stage | 18MP Autofocus with Centre Stage |
| Modem | Apple C2 | Apple C2 |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread, 5G | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread, 5G |
| Cooling | Next-generation Vapour Chamber | Next-generation Vapour Chamber |
| General Battery Life | Up to 24 hours | Up to 30 hours |
| Video Playback | Up to 36 hours | Up to 45 hours |
| Fast Charging | Up to 50% in around 15 minutes | 5 minutes provides around 7 hours of video playback |
| Operating System | iOS 27 | iOS 27 |
| Build | Aluminium Unibody | Aluminium Unibody |
| Colours | Black, Silver, Glacier, Burgundy | Black, Silver, Glacier, Burgundy |
| Preorders | September 12, 2026 | September 12, 2026 |
| Availability | September 18, 2026 | September 18, 2026 |
Specs And Features
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max run iOS 27 and come with Apple Intelligence and the new Siri AI. Apple has added features such as Spatial Reframing and Extend, while Clean Up also gets an update.
The iPhone 18 Pro has a 6.3-inch display, whereas the Pro Max gets a 6.9-inch screen. Both use Super Retina XDR OLED panels with ProMotion and Always-On mode. Apple has kept the aluminium unibody design, along with the Action button and Camera Control from the previous generation.
The new A20 Pro chip sits at the heart of both phones. It is a 2nm-generation processor with a six-core CPU, integrated Neural Accelerators, a seven-core GPU and a dual 16-core Neural Engine. Apple says the chip offers 50 percent more memory bandwidth than the A19 Pro, up to 40 percent faster GPU performance and twice the AI processing power.
Variable Aperture Camera
The camera setup gets one of the more noticeable changes this year. Both phones have a 48-megapixel Fusion main camera with variable aperture. It is the first time Apple has added adjustable aperture control to an iPhone, and the company says the new sensor is also designed to improve low-light shots.
The Camera app now has Pro Controls, letting users manually change the aperture, shutter speed and white balance. Apple has also updated Photographic Styles.
The main sensor is joined by a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 48-megapixel telephoto camera. For selfies and video calls, there's an 18-megapixel front camera with autofocus and Centre Stage support.
Apple is also adding Apple Reference Image to the new phones. The feature is designed to help verify whether a photo was actually captured on an iPhone 18 Pro. In Reference mode, the camera records signed sensor data, which Private Cloud Compute uses to create an unalterable reference image.
Dynamic Island And C2 Modem
Apple has made a small but useful change to the Dynamic Island. It can now display three Live Activities at once and continues to work with Face ID for authentication.
The thermal system has also been reworked. The new vapour chamber has three times the surface area of the previous generation, which should help with heat dissipation during demanding tasks.
Apple's new C2 modem is another key addition. According to the company, it brings better cellular connectivity, faster uploads than the C1X and 15 percent lower energy consumption. The modem also supports mmWave in the US.
iPhone 18 Pro Battery And Charging
Apple claims the iPhone 18 Pro can provide up to 36 hours of video playback, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max can reach up to 45 hours. These figures apply to the eSIM-only versions.
For overall battery life, Apple rates the iPhone 18 Pro for up to 24 hours and the Pro Max for up to 30 hours on a single charge.
Charging gets a boost as well. The iPhone 18 Pro can reach 50 percent in around 15 minutes over a wired connection, while wireless charging takes around 30 minutes to reach the same level. Apple says the iPhone 18 Pro Max can add around seven hours of video playback with just five minutes of wired charging.
Alongside the phones, Apple has launched new accessories, including Silicone and TechWoven cases, Crossbody Straps, FineWoven Wallets and Wrist Straps
iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max Price And Availability
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 (roughly Rs. 1,14,000) for the 256GB version. The iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299 (roughly Rs. 1,23,000), again with 256GB storage.
In India, the starting price is Rs. 1,64,900 for the iPhone 18 Pro and Rs. 1,79,900 for the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Both prices are for the 256GB models. Apple will also sell the phones with 512GB, 1TB and 2TB storage.
ALSO READ: From Smartphones To Smart Homes: Tracking Xiaomi’s Multi-Category Play
The two phones come in Black, Silver, Glacier and a new Burgundy colour. Pre-orders start September 12, with both models going on sale from September 18.