iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro: Full comparison and UAE prices

Apple revealed the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max on September 9, with UAE pricing turning out to be lower than initially anticipated. The headline news is that there isn't a standard iPhone 18; Apple has pushed back the release of that model and the iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2 to spring 2027. For consumers seeking a new iPhone this month, the options are between a Pro model or the existing iPhone 17. In the UAE, the price for these models has only increased slightly.

The iPhone 17 Pro, with 256GB storage, is now priced at Dh4,699. The iPhone 18 Pro, also with 256GB storage, starts at Dh5,099, which is Dh400 more than its predecessor. Similarly, the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the iPhone 18 Pro Max, both with 256GB storage, are priced at Dh5,099 and Dh5,499 respectively, both an increase of Dh400. This roughly equates to an 8% increase in price for both models, which aligns with the typical year-on-year price rise rather than a significant jump that many had feared.

One of the most significant upgrades is the variable aperture camera, a feature absent in the iPhone 17 Pro. This new feature allows the main camera to physically adjust its aperture, offering better control over depth of field and low-light performance. The camera system is designed to work more like a traditional camera lens than relying solely on software processing.

Under the hood, Apple has introduced the A20 Pro chip, which is built on a 2-nanometre process. This represents a significant jump from the chip in the previous generation, with a larger vapour chamber that is reported to be three times bigger. This change is expected to deliver up to 40% better performance during sustained tasks like gaming or video editing compared to its predecessor.

The C2 modem is another new addition, replacing the chip used in the iPhone 17 Pro. This next-generation cellular modem offers enhanced connectivity. Importantly for the UAE market, both the new Pro models come with eSIM-only configurations, meaning they do not have a physical SIM tray. This is a notable change and should be considered when purchasing if you rely on a physical SIM card.

In terms of battery life, the Pro Max models now offer up to 45 hours of video playback, an improvement attributed to the larger battery capacity that comes with the redesigned internal structure.

The iPhone 18 Pro also features a smaller Dynamic Island, a cosmetic refinement to the screen cutout at the top. Additionally, a new feature called Reference Image utilizes the main camera sensor to create an unalterable reference copy of a photo using Apple’s Private Cloud Compute. This feature allows users to view the original photo alongside the edited version, which can be helpful in verifying the authenticity of images.

The photo authenticity tools are a welcome addition for users concerned about the integrity of their images. However, when comparing these Pro models to the iPhone 15 Pro or older versions, the benefits are less pronounced for most users. The improvements in camera technology, chip performance, and battery life are significant enough to make a noticeable difference in daily use, particularly for those who perform demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or prolonged use.

For users who do not require the advanced camera features or the enhanced performance, the iPhone 17, non-Pro model, is still available at a more affordable price of Dh3,399. This model has received positive reviews and is a more sensible choice for those who do not need the additional upgrades that the Pro models offer.