Kathmandu, September 10
Apple has unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, bringing a new camera system, a more powerful chip, longer battery life and expanded AI capabilities.
The new Pro models were announced on September 9. Pre-orders will begin on September 12, with availability starting September 18 in more than 65 countries and regions.
Here are 11 things to look out for in Apple’s latest iPhones.
1. Variable aperture comes to the iPhone
The iPhone 18 Pro features a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera with variable aperture — a first for the iPhone.
The camera can automatically adjust the aperture based on lighting and depth of field. Users can also manually choose from four aperture settings.
2. More control for photographers
Apple has added Pro controls to the Camera app, allowing users to adjust aperture, shutter speed and white balance.
A histogram has also been added to help users monitor exposure.
3. New camera features for video
The camera system gets several video upgrades, including the ability to apply Cinematic effects after recording videos at up to 60 frames per second.
Time-lapse videos can now be recorded in 4K Dolby Vision HDR, while Audio Mix gets new algorithms designed to improve voice quality and isolate music.
4. Apple introduces a tool to check photo authenticity
The iPhone 18 Pro introduces Apple Reference Image, which is designed to help determine whether a photograph has been edited.
The feature creates an unalterable reference image that users can compare with the main photo in the Photos app.
5. A20 Pro chip moves to 2nm
The new Pro models are powered by Apple’s A20 Pro chip, built using 2-nanometre process technology.
The seven-core GPU is up to 40 percent faster than the A19 Pro, while the chip offers twice the AI processing power of its predecessor.
6. A bigger cooling system
Apple has redesigned the iPhone’s thermal management system with a new vapor chamber that has three times the surface area of the system used in the iPhone 17 Pro.
Apple says this can deliver up to a 40 percent gain in sustained performance.
7. Battery life gets a major boost
The iPhone 18 Pro offers up to 36 hours of video playback, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max reaches up to 45 hours.
Apple says five minutes of wired charging on the Pro Max can provide around seven hours of video playback.
8. Dynamic Island gets smaller
The Dynamic Island has been redesigned to occupy less space while providing more information.
It can now display three Live Activities at once, while continuing to support Face ID and other functions.
9. Siri gets an AI makeover
Apple is rolling out Siri AI in beta with iOS 27.
The new Siri can use personal context from messages, emails and photos, understand what’s on the screen and perform actions across apps.
It can also be used through the Camera app to provide information about what’s in front of the user.
10. eSIM-only models get a larger battery
In selected markets, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will be available as eSIM-only models.
By removing the physical SIM slot, Apple says it has created additional space for a larger battery. The eSIM-only models get up to two additional hours of video playback.
11. The price starts at $1,199
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 in the US, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299.
Both models will be available with storage options ranging from 256GB to 2TB.
The phones come in four finishes: black, silver, glacier and burgundy.
Pre-orders begin September 12, with availability starting September 18.
