Apple has launched the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, introducing a new variable-aperture camera system, the A20 Pro chip, enhanced battery performance and a next-generation vapour chamber designed for sustained performance.
The launch film strongly emphasizes the iPhone 18 Pro’s camera capabilities, showcasing photography and video across challenging environments, including low-light scenes, outdoor action, and underwater moments. The film also highlights the phone’s internal architecture and thermal management, reflecting Apple’s focus on combining performance with sustained operation.
At the centre of the camera upgrade is a new 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture, marking the first time Apple has introduced aperture control on an iPhone. The system can automatically adjust the aperture according to lighting and depth-of-field requirements, while Pro controls provide manual adjustment of settings including aperture, shutter speed and white balance.
The iPhone 18 Pro also features a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera and a 48MP Fusion Telephoto camera, with up to 8x optical-quality zoom. Apple has further added new Photographic Styles controls for texture and grain, along with enhanced low-light photography and video capabilities.
For video creators, the new Pro lineup supports cinematic effects that can be applied after recording, along with 4K Dolby Vision HDR time-lapse recording, Audio Mix and professional video capabilities including ProRes RAW and Apple Log 2. The launch film’s focus on action and difficult shooting conditions underlines the device’s positioning towards creators and professional users.
Performance is powered by Apple’s new A20 Pro chip, built using a 2-nanometre process and paired with a next-generation vapour chamber. Apple says the thermal system has three times more surface area than the previous-generation iPhone 17 Pro, helping improve sustained performance. The A20 Pro also features a new Dual 16-core Neural Engine for on-device AI workloads.
Apple has also redesigned the Dynamic Island to accommodate up to three Live Activities at once, while the new iPhone 18 Pro models introduce an updated design with four finishes: black, silver, glacier and the new burgundy option.
Battery performance has also received a major upgrade. The iPhone 18 Pro models support faster wired charging, reaching up to 50 per cent in around 15 minutes with a compatible power adapter. The iPhone 18 Pro Max offers up to 43 hours of video playback, according to Apple’s India product page.
The new Pro models also bring iOS 27, Apple Intelligence and the new Siri AI, which Apple describes as a more personal and conversational assistant capable of using personal context and onscreen awareness.
In India, pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max begin at 5:30 PM IST on September 12, with availability starting September 18.
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