Mumbai: Apple has unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, sharpening its flagship line-up with a variable-aperture camera, the new A20 Pro chip, longer battery life and upgraded Siri artificial intelligence.
The devices were introduced at Apple’s “Surprise and Shine” event, with prices starting at $1,199 for the iPhone 18 Pro and $1,299 for the Pro Max. Both are $100 costlier than their predecessors.
Variable-Aperture Camera
The biggest upgrade comes to the camera system. Apple has equipped the Pro models with a 48-megapixel main camera featuring a variable aperture built around six thin blades.
The mechanism gives users greater control over how much light enters the camera. Apple has also expanded professional controls, allowing adjustments to white balance, shutter speed and aperture alongside access to histogram settings.
For video, the devices support 4K recording in Dolby Vision HDR. Cinematic effects can also be applied after footage has been recorded, providing additional flexibility during editing.
A20 Pro, Longer Battery Life
Both smartphones run on Apple’s new A20 Pro chip and feature a redesigned vapour chamber intended to improve thermal management during demanding workloads.
Apple has also reworked the battery system. The company claims up to 36 hours of video playback on the iPhone 18 Pro and as much as 45 hours on the Pro Max.
A smaller Dynamic Island can display up to three Live Activities simultaneously, enabling users to follow multiple updates without leaving their current screen.
Siri Gets AI Upgrade
Artificial intelligence forms another key pillar of the refresh. Apple demonstrated a more context-aware Siri capable of understanding information and actions displayed on the iPhone screen.
With iOS 27, an iPhone handoff feature will allow two iPhones to operate using a single eSIM, enabling users to switch between devices.
Apple has also introduced a burgundy colour option. Pre-orders open Saturday, while retail sales are scheduled to begin on September 18.
