Apple launches iPhone 18 Pro lineup with longer battery life and new colours
Prices rise as US tech giant introduces its latest Pro smartphones
DUBAI – US tech giant Apple has unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, introducing faster performance, camera improvements and substantially longer battery life to its latest premium smartphones.
The two models were announced at Apple’s “Surprise and Shine” event alongside the company’s first foldable handset, the iPhone Duo.
Both retain the unibody aluminium design introduced with the previous generation while adding several hardware and performance upgrades.
Performance boost
Both Pro models are powered by Apple’s new A20 Pro chipset, which the company describes as the fastest CPU in a smartphone.
Apple has also introduced a next-generation vapor chamber designed to improve cooling. The technology is intended to help the devices manage heat more effectively during demanding tasks, complementing the performance gains delivered by the new processor.
The two smartphones continue to use the aluminium unibody construction introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro generation, which Apple says also provides improved cooling.
The Dynamic Island has also been reduced in size, giving the latest models a slightly more streamlined front-facing design.
Camera upgrade
The main rear camera remains a 48-megapixel system but gains a new mechanical aperture.
The addition gives users more precise control over depth of field, potentially providing greater flexibility when taking photographs where background separation is important. Apple also says the updated camera system improves low-light photography.
The mechanical aperture represents one of the more notable camera changes in the new Pro models, expanding the level of control available through the main camera beyond Apple's previous approach.
Longer battery life
Battery performance receives one of the biggest upgrades in the iPhone 18 Pro generation.
Apple says the iPhone 18 Pro can provide up to 36 hours of video playback, while the larger iPhone 18 Pro Max can deliver up to 45 hours.
The Pro Max therefore retains its advantage for users who prioritise endurance, while both models receive a significant boost compared with the previous generation.
Apple has also introduced four new colour options for the Pro lineup: Deep Black, Glacier, Silver and Burgundy. The new finishes replace the Cosmic Orange and Deep Blue colours offered with the iPhone 17 Pro models.
Prices and launch
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,200, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,300. The higher starting prices come as Apple faces an ongoing memory shortage.
Pre-orders for both models will open on September 12, followed by their official launch on September 18.
Alongside the iPhone Duo, the iPhone 18 Pro series gives Apple a broader flagship lineup, combining its traditional premium smartphone design with upgraded performance, photography capabilities and battery endurance.