The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max have arrived with a focus on photographic versatility and internal hardware upgrades. The most notable addition is a mechanical variable aperture on the main camera, which allows users to manually adjust between four f-stops—f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8, and f/4.0—or rely on an automatic setting. This hardware implementation enables the creation of starburst effects around bright light sources, a feature previously absent from the iPhone lineup.
Performance benchmarks for the new A20 Pro chip suggest a substantial leap over the previous generation. Early Geekbench 6.7.0 results indicate single-core scores of approximately 4719 for the iPhone 18 Pro, representing a 21% to 33% improvement over the iPhone 17 Pro. Multi-core performance shows even greater gains, with the iPhone 18 Pro reaching 12677, an increase of 30% to 44% compared to its predecessor. The iPhone 18 Pro Max demonstrates similar performance characteristics, with negligible differences in general processing power between the two models.
Design refinements include a slimmer Dynamic Island, achieved by relocating the FaceTime camera beneath the display. The device is available in a new burgundy colorway, which has been noted for its sophisticated aesthetic. Battery capacities have also seen an increase; models equipped with physical SIM card trays feature 4,056 mAh and 5,391 mAh batteries for the Pro and Pro Max, respectively. These capacities represent an increase over the 3,988 mAh and 4,823 mAh batteries found in the corresponding iPhone 17 Pro models.
Despite these advancements, the price of entry has risen, with the iPhone 18 Pro starting at $1,199 and the iPhone 18 Pro Max at $1,299. This represents a $100 increase over the launch pricing of the previous generation. While the variable aperture offers creative potential for photographers and filmmakers, some observers suggest that the feature may not be a compelling enough upgrade for casual users who primarily utilize their devices for social media content.