Apple iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Are Official: $1,199, Fancy Cameras and More

Apple has officially announced the release of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models during their "Surprise and Shine" event on September 9. While not featuring the folding display of Apple's rumored iPhone Ultra, these devices boast cutting-edge technology. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 in the US, while the Pro Max model is priced at $1,299 with 256GB of storage. Preorders commence this Saturday and the phones will launch on September 18.

Apple claims these latest phones see the most substantial camera upgrades in years, featuring a variable aperture on the main 48-megapixel camera. The camera uses six thin, adjustable blades that open and close to control the aperture, enhancing low-light performance and depth of field. Software-wise, the new iPhones include Pro controls for manual adjustments, more customization options for Apple's Photographic Styles, and support for Google's SynthID standard for authenticating non-AI-created images, along with Apple's own authentication method.

The A20 Pro chip, redesigned from scratch, is 20% faster than its predecessor and positioned as the fastest CPU in any smartphone, specifically optimized for AI computing. Added to this is a robust thermal cooling system to prevent overheating during intense gaming sessions. Battery life has also been improved, with Apple anticipating the Pro Max to provide 45 hours of video playback.

During the event, Apple demonstrated Apple Intelligence and how Siri leverages AI to provide answers using information from messages, emails, and various apps. A Siri app now archives past conversations for easy reference and follow-up. Apple's AI also enhances photo manipulation capabilities, such as expanding canvas size or erasing objects within scenes, all with improved accuracy compared to previous iterations.

The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models have earned praise for their performance and camera abilities in the past year. However, Apple will need to compete with other top-tier smartphones like Xiaomi and Leica's Leitzphone, which have been awarded CNET's Editors' Choice for their exceptional imaging capabilities.