Apple has launched the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, two flagship smartphones that will be available for pre-order starting September 12, with deliveries beginning September 18.

The new Pro models were unveiled at Apple’s “Surprise and Shine” event on Wednesday, alongside upgrades to the devices’ cameras, processors, battery performance and artificial intelligence capabilities. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299 — pricing that keeps the Pro line above the $1,000 mark, at the top end of the smartphone market. The September unveiling also follows Apple’s customary fall cadence, a window the company has long used to position its flagship lineup ahead of the holiday shopping season.

Camera upgrades with variable aperture

The iPhone 18 Pro series features a 48-megapixel camera equipped with a variable aperture system made up of six thin blades. According to Apple, the new camera system is designed to give photographers greater control over the amount of light entering the lens, and the company highlighted resulting improvements to photography performance.

The Pro models also introduce a new burgundy colour option, which replaces the orange finish offered with the previous generation.

A20 Pro chip and longer battery life

Both the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are powered by Apple’s new A20 Pro chip and feature a redesigned vapour chamber aimed at improving cooling during use. The company has also redesigned the battery system on the new models.

Apple says the iPhone 18 Pro supports up to 36 hours of video playback, while the larger iPhone 18 Pro Max can deliver up to 45 hours. Those figures are company claims, with real-world endurance to be confirmed through independent testing once devices reach reviewers.

Updated Siri with on-screen intelligence

Apple also showcased a new Siri experience built around contextual on-screen intelligence, allowing the assistant to understand information displayed on the user’s screen. The updated Siri will support English in beta at launch, arriving alongside the rollout of iOS 27 this month. The company said support for French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish will follow in October — meaning users outside English-speaking markets will need to wait for the October expansion to access the assistant’s new capabilities.

Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max open on September 12, with deliveries beginning September 18. When orders go live, initial delivery estimates and early demand will provide the first indication of how the new Pro lineup is landing with buyers.

Source: TechNext24 | X: https://x.com/techcrunch/status/2097739089306911074?s=46