Apple Unveils iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Apple has unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, with the new generation focused on camera capabilities, performance, battery life and artificial intelligence features.

The main innovation is a 48-megapixel Fusion main camera with an adjustable aperture. Apple describes it as the most advanced professional camera ever introduced on an iPhone. Both models also feature the new A20 Pro chip, a next-generation vapor chamber cooling system and an updated Dynamic Island.

The iPhone 18 Pro Max delivers the biggest battery-life increase in iPhone history. Apple said this was achieved through new developments in Apple silicon and an increased battery capacity.

Both models run iOS 27 with Apple Intelligence and the new Siri AI. Apple positions the smartphones as personal intelligent hubs that combine AI capabilities with personal context while maintaining a focus on privacy and security.

“With iPhone 18 Pro, we’ve advanced the areas that matter most to our users: camera, performance, battery, and intelligence. And we didn’t settle for incremental improvements — we made a giant leap forward, creating the best iPhone Pro we’ve ever made,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.

Adjustable-aperture camera

For the first time, the 48-megapixel Fusion main camera features an adjustable aperture. Six laser-cut blades allow the aperture to be smoothly adjusted, while automatic settings help select depth of field and shooting parameters based on lighting conditions.

The new sensor is designed to improve image quality in low-light conditions, increase background detail in group photos and expand creative shooting options.

In the Camera app, iPhone 18 Pro owners will be able to manually select one of four aperture settings. Apple is also providing third-party developers with an API that offers additional control over the aperture range.

A new computational photography pipeline provides sharper, more detailed images. Updated Photographic Styles offer additional texture and grain controls.

Apple has also expanded video capabilities. Cinematic effects can now be applied to video at up to 60 frames per second after recording. Time-lapse mode supports 4K and Dolby Vision HDR recording.

The updated Audio Mix uses new algorithms to improve voice quality and separate voices from music.

For professional shooting, Apple introduced the Pro controls interface. It provides quick access to frequently used settings and allows manual adjustment of aperture, shutter speed and white balance. The interface also includes a histogram for monitoring exposure across different areas of the frame.

Apple Reference Image

The new Apple Reference Image feature is designed to verify the authenticity of photographs taken with the iPhone 18 Pro. The new main-camera sensor can sign every visible pixel.

When Reference mode is used, the camera preserves signed sensor data, after which Private Cloud Compute converts it into an immutable reference image.

The image can be viewed in the Photos app alongside the original photograph and used as a digital negative for visual comparison and checking for possible alterations.

Apple is providing an API for iOS, iPadOS and macOS 27 that will allow third-party developers to add reference-image viewing support to their applications.

Image metadata and future support for the SynthID standard are also intended to help identify images created or modified using artificial intelligence. Apple said the combination of these technologies is particularly important for photojournalists, photographers and everyday users.

New Dynamic Island

The Dynamic Island has received a redesigned structure and, despite its smaller size, offers more functionality. It can now display up to three Live Activities simultaneously.

Face ID support remains available, including secure device unlocking, purchase authentication and app sign-ins.

A20 Pro and performance

The iPhone 18 Pro is powered by the new A20 Pro chip, manufactured using a 2-nanometer process.

The six-core CPU provides 50% greater memory bandwidth than the A19 Pro. Neural Accelerators are integrated into the chip.

According to Apple, the seven-core GPU is up to 40% faster than the GPU in the A19 Pro. AI and computational photography tasks are handled by a new dual-block 16-core Neural Engine.

The A20 Pro has 32 cores in total, which Apple says doubles AI computing power compared with the A19 Pro.

Both models also feature Apple’s N1 wireless chip, with support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread.

The iPhone 18 Pro introduces Apple’s new C2 cellular modem, which uses artificial intelligence to improve the quality and reliability of connectivity. It provides significantly faster download speeds than the C1X while reducing power consumption by 15%. Support for mmWave has been added in the United States.

Cooling system

To sustain high performance, Apple developed a new cooling architecture for the A20 Pro inspired by Apple silicon chips in the M series.

The chip and memory are positioned next to each other, moving the memory out of the chip’s thermal path, while the A20 Pro is directly connected to a next-generation vapor chamber.

The new vapor chamber has three times the surface area of the previous generation in the iPhone 17 Pro. Apple said this provides up to a 40% improvement in sustained performance, making it the best result in iPhone history.

Battery life and charging

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max feature new battery designs and more efficient use of the chips’ capabilities.

eSIM-only versions provide up to 36 hours of video playback on the iPhone 18 Pro and up to 45 hours on the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

The iPhone 18 Pro can charge to 50% in about 15 minutes using a cable or in 30 minutes wirelessly.

On the iPhone 18 Pro Max, five minutes of wired charging provides about seven hours of video playback. Under a new energy-use assessment method based on real-world usage data, the device can operate for up to 30 hours on a full charge.

iOS 27 and Siri AI

The new Siri AI will be available in beta alongside iOS 27. Apple describes it as an entirely new version of Siri built on Apple Intelligence.

Siri AI can use a user’s personal context and find relevant information in messages, emails, photos and other data.

The screen-awareness feature allows the assistant to perform actions related to information displayed on the screen and answer questions on virtually any topic.

Siri can also work with objects users see through the Camera app, providing information and performing relevant actions. Tasks can be described using natural language.

Apple Intelligence expands the capabilities of other applications. Photos, for example, can be edited using Spatial Reframing, Extend and an updated Clean Up feature. Image Playground can create photorealistic images.

In Safari, the Notify Me feature will track changes on web pages, including when products become available for purchase or prices fall.

To protect data, Apple uses on-device AI processing and Private Cloud Compute.

iOS 27 will also introduce a redesigned interface based on Liquid Glass and additional personalization options. New parental controls will allow users to manage content, contacts and screen time available to children.

The iPhone Handoff feature will allow users of supported carriers to switch between two iPhone models while keeping the same phone number.

eSIM and connectivity

Apple is placing additional emphasis on eSIM, which the company says provides greater flexibility and security than physical SIM cards while also helping improve battery life.

eSIM is supported by more than 500 carriers worldwide.

The eSIM-only versions of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be sold in Bahrain, Canada, Guam, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The absence of a physical SIM slot allows space for a higher-capacity battery and provides up to two additional hours of video playback.

Colors and accessories

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be available in four finishes: black, silver, glacier and a new burgundy color.

Apple has introduced silicone and clear cases, TechWoven cases, Crossbody Strap and Wrist Strap accessories, as well as FineWoven Wallets for the smartphones.

The clear case has been redesigned and is compatible with the Crossbody Strap and Wrist Strap.

The Wrist Strap is designed to allow users to carry an iPhone, AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods Pro 3 hands-free. The strap is made from 100% recycled polyester yarn and features flexible magnets.

It will be available in black, taupe, olive, bright blue, purple and burgundy.

Environmental features

With the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, Apple is continuing its plan to achieve carbon neutrality across its entire business chain by 2030.

Overall, 40% of the materials used in both models are recycled. The battery contains 100% recycled cobalt, while the enclosure is made from 85% recycled aluminum.

Across the supply chain, 50% of energy comes from renewable sources, including wind and solar power. The devices also meet Apple’s requirements for energy efficiency and the safe use of chemicals.

The paper packaging for the iPhone is made entirely from fiber-based materials and can be recycled at home.

Prices and availability

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be available with 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB storage capacities.

In the United States, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at US$1,199, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at US$1,299.

Preorders in more than 65 countries and regions will begin at 5 a.m. Pacific Time on 12 September. Sales will begin on 18 September. The devices will arrive in another 20 countries and regions on 25 September.

iOS 27 will be available as a free software update on 14 September. Apple Intelligence will also become available with iOS 27 on supported devices and in supported languages.

Siri AI will launch in beta on 14 September for supported devices configured in English. Support for French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish will arrive in October.

Apple noted separately that the availability of individual features may vary depending on the region, language, local laws and regulatory requirements.

The company is also extending free access to satellite features for existing iPhone 14, iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 users by another year if they activated their devices in countries where the relevant features are supported before midnight Pacific Time on 9 September.

For new iPhone owners, Apple offers various service and support options through AppleCare and cloud storage through iCloud+. Eligible new buyers of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max can also receive three months of Apple One for free. The offer is available in selected countries and regions from 17 September.