Apple unveils iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max with variable aperture camera and A20 Pro chip

Credit: Apple

Apple announced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max today, introducing upgrades to its flagship smartphones. Powered by the new 2-nanometer A20 Pro chip and a redesigned vapour chamber cooling system, the devices deliver up to a 40 percent boost in sustained performance. The updated models feature a smaller Dynamic Island that can display up to three Live Activities at once, enhanced connectivity via Apple's custom N1 and C2 chips, and the largest battery life increases in iPhone history—promising up to 45 hours of video playback on the Pro Max.

The lineup debuts a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera featuring Apple's first variable aperture system. Using six laser-cut blades, the system automatically or manually adjusts depth of field and exposure across four settings. Hardware and software updates introduce expanded manual controls, upgraded computational photography styles, and a new digital-negative feature called Apple Reference Image, which cryptographically signs sensor data to verify photo authenticity and track AI modifications.

Integrated with the upcoming iOS 27 release, the iPhone 18 Pro models serve as hardware hubs for Apple Intelligence and a revamped, personal context-aware Siri AI. Available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities, the phones come in black, silver, glacier, and burgundy finishes. Pre-orders open Saturday, September 12, with full retail availability starting Friday, September 18. Canadian pricing starts at $1,749 for the iPhone 18 Pro and $1,899 for the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

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