Key Highlights:

  • New camera system: The iPhone 18 Pro series features a 48-megapixel main camera with a variable aperture mechanism, plus new pro-level manual controls for white balance, shutter speed and aperture.
  • A20 Pro chip and better cooling: Both models are powered by Apple's new A20 Pro chip, paired with a redesigned vapor chamber for improved heat management.
  • Longer battery life: Apple claims up to 36 hours of video playback on the iPhone 18 Pro and up to 45 hours on the Pro Max.
  • Smarter Siri: A new Siri AI with contextual on-screen intelligence can better understand what's displayed on the user's screen.
  • Dual-iPhone eSIM handoff: iOS 27 introduces a feature letting users operate two iPhones with a single eSIM and switch between them.
  • Pricing and availability: The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 and the Pro Max at $1,299 — a $100 increase over last year — with pre-orders starting Saturday and sales beginning September 18.

New Delhi: Apple on Wednesday unveiled its latest flagship smartphones, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, at its fall "Surprise and Shine" event, with major upgrades focused on camera capabilities, performance, battery life and artificial intelligence.

A Major Camera Overhaul

While the overall design of the new Pro models remains largely unchanged from the previous generation, Apple has significantly upgraded the camera system. The iPhone 18 Pro series features a 48-megapixel main camera with a variable aperture mechanism built using six thin blades.

What Is A Variable Aperture: Unlike previous iPhones, which had a fixed camera aperture, a variable aperture can physically widen or narrow the opening that lets light into the lens — similar to how a professional camera works. A wider aperture lets in more light for better low-light shots and a blurred background effect, while a narrower one keeps more of the scene in sharp focus, such as in bright daylight or landscape shots. This gives photographers far more creative control than a fixed-aperture camera allows.

Apple has also introduced new professional controls within the Camera app, giving users greater control over white balance, shutter speed, aperture and histogram settings.

On the video front, the new Pro models can record 4K footage in Dolby HDR Vision. Users will also be able to apply cinematic effects to recorded footage after shooting, giving them greater flexibility during the editing process.

Design Updates: A Smaller Dynamic Island

Apple has made changes to the front of the devices as well. The new Pro models feature a smaller Dynamic Island, which can now display up to three Live Activities simultaneously, allowing users to monitor more information without leaving the current screen.

A20 Pro Chip And Improved Battery

Under the hood, both smartphones are powered by Apple's latest A20 Pro chip and feature a redesigned vapor chamber aimed at improving heat management during demanding tasks. Apple has also redesigned the battery system to improve endurance. The company claims the iPhone 18 Pro can deliver up to 36 hours of video playback, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max offers up to 45 hours.

Siri Gets Smarter With On-Screen Context

Artificial intelligence was another major focus of the launch. Apple demonstrated its new Siri AI with contextual on-screen intelligence, allowing the assistant to better understand information and actions displayed on the user's screen.

With iOS 27, Apple is also introducing an iPhone handoff feature that allows users to use two iPhones with a single eSIM and switch between the devices.

New Colour And Pricing

The iPhone 18 Pro series also gets a new burgundy colour option, replacing the orange finish offered with the previous generation.

The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299, representing a $100 increase over last year's models. Pre-orders will begin Saturday, with both devices scheduled to go on sale on September 18.