Apple's new iPhone 18 Pro features a variable aperture and a huge battery life upgrade

Apple unveiled its latest Pro models, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, during its fall Surprise and Shine iPhone event. The standout feature of these devices is their improved camera system, which boasts a 48-megapixel sensor with a variable aperture of six thin blades. This advanced setup is expected to enhance low-light photography and capture speed.

The new camera software introduces pro controls such as white balance, shutter speed, aperture, and histogram adjustments, as well as photographic styles with customizable texture and grain settings.

Additionally, the new camera is capable of recording 4K videos in Dolby HDR Vision and offers cinematic effects post-shooting. The redesigned front of the devices features a smaller dynamic island, allowing for tracking of three live activities instead of two. Both models are equipped with Apple's latest A20 Pro silicon and incorporate a novel vapor chamber design for better cooling.

Apple claims the iPhone 18 Pro can sustain video playback for 36 hours, while the Pro Max variant offers up to 45 hours. The company previewed an enhanced Siri AI, which will offer contextual on-screen intelligence and English support in beta when iOS 27 is released this month, with additional languages like French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish following in October.

The new Siri will also complement the iPhone handoff feature introduced with iOS 27, enabling users to manage two iPhones using a single eSIM and seamlessly switch between them. Apple has introduced a striking new burgundy color to replace the previous orange hue in the lineup. The iPhone 18 Pro is priced at $1,199, while the 18 Pro Max is available for $1,299, marking a $100 increase over the prior year's models. Preorders for the devices begin on Saturday, with availability commencing on September 18.