CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – Apple has unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, featuring a variable-aperture camera, extended battery life, and the new A20 Pro chip. These premium models also offer enhanced manual camera options and a redesigned Dynamic Island interface. Both devices operate on iOS 27 and support Siri AI via Apple Intelligence. Preorders begin on September 12, with units available starting September 18 in over 65 countries and regions.
The 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera now allows users to select from four different aperture settings. Six laser-cut blades manage the lens opening, controlling depth of field and light intake. Users can also modify shutter speed and white balance directly within the Camera app. Pro-level controls include a histogram for exposure monitoring. Video recording features include Cinematic effects at up to 60 frames per second after capture. Additionally, time-lapse recording now supports 4K resolution with Dolby Vision HDR.
A new Reference Image feature records signed sensor data when users activate Reference mode. Private Cloud Compute then processes this data into a reference image for comparison within the Photos app. This aims to help users identify if an image has changed post-capture. Support for SynthID will be introduced through a software update later this year. Greg Joswiak, senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, stated that the lineup enhances camera capabilities, performance, battery life, and intelligence.
Enhanced manual camera controls introduced with new system
The A20 Pro chip is built on a 2-nanometer process and features a six-core CPU alongside a seven-core GPU. It also includes a Dual 16-core Neural Engine with a total of 32 cores. The manufacturer claims the GPU offers up to 40% faster performance compared to the A19 Pro. A redesigned vapor chamber increases the cooling surface, working with updated chip packaging to sustain higher performance levels during intensive tasks.
Battery life improves on both Pro models, notably on eSIM-only variants. The iPhone 18 Pro provides up to 36 hours of video playback, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max extends this to 45 hours. Fast wired charging can bring the battery to 50% in around 15 minutes. The eSIM-only versions will debut in markets including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, as well as several other countries outside the Middle East.
Siri AI broadens Apple Intelligence features with iOS 27
Running on iOS 27, both the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max gain access to the latest Apple Intelligence features. Siri AI enters beta on September 14 for supported devices configured for English. Support for French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish is expected to follow in October. Siri AI can leverage messages, emails, and photos to provide information, respond to on-screen content, and assist with tasks via the Camera app.
The starting price for the iPhone 18 Pro is $1,199 in the United States, while the Pro Max begins at $1,299. Buyers can select storage options of 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB. Available finishes include black, silver, glacier, and burgundy. Preorders 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 new lineup from September 25.
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