Apple iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max: What’s New, Price, Camera, Battery and Key Features

On 9th September 2026, Apple officially introduced its new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models.

The new Pro models introduce significant enhancements to the camera, battery, performance and AI.

The most talked-about feature is the new camera's 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture. In layman's terms, the users have more control over the amount of light that enters the camera and the amount of background that stays blurred.

The company has also unveiled its new A20 Pro chip, a new cooling system, a new and improved Dynamic Island and the next generation of Siri AI.

Good news for Indian buyers: India is one of the countries where the pre-orders will commence from September 12, 2026 and availability will start on September 18, 2026. 

iPhone 18 Pro Series: Quick Facts

If you have to compare the iPhone 18 Pro & iPhone Pro Max model with iPhone 17 Series, you can get it from this article: Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro & iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 18 Pro Max

iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone Duo pic.twitter.com/LEVPDRhNO3

— Apple Hub (@theapplehub) September 9, 2026

What is special about the iPhone 18 Pro camera?

Source: Apple

One of the largest changes this year is the camera!

The main camera is a variable aperture 48MP Fusion camera. It's the first time Apple has added aperture control to the iPhone.

The camera can auto-expose the aperture based on the light conditions and type of photo. This can be particularly useful when taking photos in low light, portraits and group photographs.

The camera can open up to ƒ/1.48 which enables the camera to be more light gathering in low light conditions. 

What does "variable aperture" mean in the iPhone 18 Pro camera?

The "variable aperture," which has been used in the iPhone 18 series, it will:

• Provides better control over light and background blur.

• A wider aperture will let more light into the camera, and it can help to produce a more pronounced background-blur effect. The shallower the depth of field, the more of the image will be in focus.

• Apple has put six little laser-cut blades into the camera system to facilitate these changes.

New Pro camera controls

Apple is also giving users more manual control.

With the new Pro controls, users can adjust things such as:

• Aperture

• Shutter speed

• White balance

• Exposure using a histogram

This means photography enthusiasts can control the camera more like a dedicated professional camera.

Apple introduces Reference Image

Source: Apple

The other interesting feature is Apple Reference Image. It is aimed at assisting to demonstrate if a photograph has been altered from the time it was taken.

With the iPhone's camera, sensor data can be signed when it's photographed. This establishes an "unalterable image reference" that can be compared with the edited image, says Apple.

It might be beneficial to photographers, journalists, and those who want to know if a photo is original.

A20 Pro chip: More power for the iPhone

Source: Apple

According to Apple, the chip is made using a 2nm process, and features a 6 core CPU and 7 core GPU.

The company claims the GPU can be up to 40% faster than the A19 Pro, while the new chip has 50% more memory bandwidth.

The A20 Pro is also getting a new Dual 16-core Neural Engine, which will be paired with the existing 16-core unit to make a total of 32 Neural Engine cores for AI processing.

In an easy way, it should assist with tough games, photo/video and in-device AI. 

Improved cooling for heavy consumption.Improved cooling during heavy use

High-performance processors can produce heat, particularly during the time of gaming or video recording. For this, Apple has come up with a new vapor chamber cooling system.

The new design offers three times the surface area of the previous generation iPhone 17 Pro, Apple claims. The company claims this can provide up to a 40% improvement in sustained performance. 

Battery life gets a major boost

Battery life is another major focus of the iPhone 18 Pro series.

According to Apple, eSIM-only models offer:

• iPhone 18 Pro: up to 36 hours of video playback

• iPhone 18 Pro Max: up to 45 hours of video playback

The iPhone 18 Pro can charge up to 50% in around 15 minutes with wired charging.

Apple also says that just five minutes of wired charging on the iPhone 18 Pro Max can provide around seven hours of video playback.

Siri AI comes to the new iPhone 18 Pro & iPhone 18 Pro Max

The iPhone 18 Pro series is equipped with iOS 27 and the new Siri AI is being rolled out in beta.The new Siri is meant to be more contextual and can work in various applications.

Some examples include the ability for Siri to search messages, emails and photos. It can also be taught to read the content on the screen and respond to it accordingly.

There's even a Siri mode within the Camera app, so you can ask questions about the items you're looking at. 

Dynamic Island gets an upgrade

Apple has also revamped the Dynamic Island. The upgraded version can display up to three Live Activities at the same time.

So that users can view more information without having to open other applications. Face ID is still enabling unlocking the phone, payments and signing into compatible apps. 

iPhone 18 Series Colours Combination

Source: Apple

Apple has introduced four colours for the iPhone 18 Pro models:

• Black

• Silver

• Glacier

• Burgundy

The new Burgundy colour is likely to attract buyers looking for something different from the usual black or silver iPhone.

iPhone 18 Series Offers eSIM-only models

Apple is also selling eSIM-only phones in certain countries.These models are not SIM card-based.

eSIM offers increased flexibility and security, and frees up additional room in the device for a larger battery.

The eSIM-only variants are offered in certain countries including the UAE and Gulf nations, Japan, Canada and the United States.

India is part of the extended list of launch countries, although buyers should make sure to check the specific SIM card in the Indian version before buying. 

iPhone 18 Pro & iPhone 18 Pro Max price and availability

Now, you all have seen its multiple advanced features, which Apple has launched with the iPhone 18 series, and you all will be excited to know the iPhone 18 Pro & iPhone 18 Pro Max price and availability.

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

The two phones will come with storage of up to 2TB and 256GB.

The pre-orders will start from September 12, 2026, followed by sales from September 18, 2026 in over 65 countries & regions including India.

The price of the device in the United States is not necessarily the final price in India, as Apple has not provided an information about the price in Indian Rupees. 

What are the new accessories included in the iPhone 18 series Model?

Apple has also announced new accessories for the iPhone 18 Pro series.

These include:

• Silicone Cases

• TechWoven Cases

• Clear Cases

• FineWoven Wallets

• Wrist Straps

Source: Apple

• Crossbody Straps

The new Wrist Strap is designed to make carrying the iPhone easier without holding it continuously.

iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: What Is the Difference?

The two new phones share most of their important features.

So, the iPhone 18 Pro series is not just about a faster processor. Apple has focused heavily on the areas people use every day — camera, battery, performance and AI.

The variable-aperture camera is probably the most noticeable upgrade for photography lovers, while the A20 Pro chip and improved cooling are aimed at people who want stronger performance.

For Indian buyers, the key dates to remember are September 12 for pre-orders and September 18 for availability.

The final question for buyers will be simple: Are these upgrades enough to move from an older iPhone to the new Pro models? For people who regularly use their phone for photography, gaming, video and AI features, the answer may be yes.