CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – Apple has announced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, introducing a variable-aperture camera, longer battery life, and the new A20 Pro chip. The flagship devices also offer enhanced manual camera controls and a redesigned Dynamic Island. Running on iOS 27 and supporting Siri AI via Apple Intelligence, preorders open on September 12 with official availability beginning September 18 across more than 65 countries and regions.
The 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera now allows users to select from four aperture options. Six laser-cut blades regulate the opening, affecting depth of field and light intake. Additionally, shutter speed and white balance can be adjusted within the Camera app. New Pro controls include a histogram for exposure monitoring, while video capabilities feature Cinematic effects at up to 60 fps post-capture. Time-lapse recording now supports 4K resolution with Dolby Vision HDR.
The camera system also introduces Reference Image, which captures signed sensor data when Reference mode is activated. Private Cloud Compute converts this data into a reference image for comparison in the Photos app, helping users detect changes after shooting. Support for SynthID will be added via a software update later this year. Greg Joswiak, senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, stated that this lineup advances camera capabilities, performance, battery life, and AI features.
Enhanced manual control with new camera system
The A20 Pro chip, built on a 2-nanometer process, features a six-core CPU and a seven-core GPU. It also includes a Dual 16-core Neural Engine with 32 cores overall. Apple claims the GPU is up to 40% faster than the A19 Pro. A redesigned vapor chamber expands cooling surface area, working alongside updated chip packaging to sustain high performance during intensive tasks.
Battery life has improved on both Pro models, especially on eSIM-only variants. The iPhone 18 Pro offers up to 36 hours of video playback, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max extends this to 45 hours. Wired charging can bring the battery to 50% in approximately 15 minutes. eSIM-only models will launch in markets including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, along with several other countries outside the Middle East.
Siri AI broadens Apple Intelligence capabilities with iOS 27
The new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max come preloaded with iOS 27, featuring the latest Apple Intelligence enhancements. Siri AI enters beta on September 14 for supported devices set to English, with support for French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish expected in October. Siri AI can access messages, emails, and photos for user inquiries, respond to on-screen content, and assist 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. Storage options include 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB. Color finishes available are black, silver, glacier, and burgundy. Orders open at 5 a.m. Pacific Time on September 12, with sales commencing September 18 in the initial markets. An additional 20 countries and regions will receive the lineup from September 25.