After Wednesday’s event, members of the media were shown the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, which keep a very similar exterior to the iPhone 17 Pro models but introduce substantial internal changes.
Design and display
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max look almost identical to the iPhone 17 Pro lineup, with the same 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch sizes and unchanged overall shape. The new models present a more uniform finish, with less contrast between the aluminum frame and the glass back than the two-tone look on the 17 Pro. Apple is offering four colors: silver, black, burgundy and glacier, with burgundy and the return of black noted as distinct choices in person. Display quality remains the same, though Apple has slimmed down the Dynamic Island so it occupies less space and can show up to three Live Activities at once. Both models are slightly heavier, and the iPhone 18 Pro Max weighs 16 grams more than the 17 Pro Max.
iPhone 18 Pro performance and cooling
Inside the new phones is a 2nm A20 Pro chip. Users upgrading from an iPhone 17 Pro are unlikely to notice a day-to-day difference between the A19 Pro and the A20 Pro, but the 18 Pro models may run cooler. The phones include a new vapor chamber cooling system that occupies three times more area and Apple says it supports up to 40 percent faster sustained performance. There is a new dual Neural Engine, while RAM remains unchanged at 12GB.
Cameras and imaging
The iPhone 18 Pro models keep a three-lens camera system with an upgraded 48MP Main camera that features a variable aperture with four stops: ƒ/1.48, ƒ/1.8, ƒ/2.8 and ƒ/4.0. Aperture will adjust automatically but a new Pro Controls option allows manual adjustment of aperture, shutter speed and white balance, and includes a histogram for precise tweaks. Photographic Styles gain texture and grain controls. Video features include smart focus tracking that can stay locked on a subject even if it briefly leaves the frame, the ability to add cinematic effects after capture for the first time, Audio Mix that works with music, and support for 4K Dolby Vision time-lapse videos.
Battery, charging and connectivity
Battery life improves in both Pro models: the iPhone 18 Pro lasts up to 36 hours when watching video and the iPhone 18 Pro Max lasts up to 45 hours. USB-C charging is faster, with a 50 percent charge possible in 15 minutes using a 60W power adapter. MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging remain supported but are capped at 25W.
All 6.3-inch iPhone 18 Pro models use the C2 modem. iPhone 18 Pro Max models in the U.S. ship with a Qualcomm modem, while Pro Max models outside the U.S. also use the C2. The C2 is described as faster and more energy-efficient than the prior C1X and now supports mmWave 5G in addition to sub–6GHz; it is not clear why Apple opted for the modem split on Pro Max units.
Price, storage and availability
Apple raised prices for the new Pro models. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 in the U.S., and the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299, a $100 increase for both base models. Starting storage remains at 256GB with options up to 2TB. Pre-orders begin at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Saturday, September 12, and the new iPhones will launch on September 18.
