Apple gave the media a first look at the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max after its Wednesday event, revealing devices that closely resemble their predecessors while introducing significant changes under the hood. Pre-orders begin September 12, with a launch set for September 18.

A familiar exterior with subtle tweaks

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max look almost identical to the iPhone 17 Pro lineup, but the color contrast between the aluminum frame and glass back has been reduced. That gives the new phones a more uniform appearance compared with last year's two-tone finish.

Apple is offering four colors: silver, black, burgundy, and glacier, a light blue. The sizes remain unchanged at 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, though both models are slightly heavier. The Pro Max weighs 16 grams more than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Display quality is the same, but Apple has slimmed down the Dynamic Island so it takes up less space and can show up to three Live Activities at once.

New chip, cooling, and battery gains

Inside sits a new 2nm A20 Pro chip. Day-to-day performance may feel similar to the A19 Pro, but Apple says the new phones run cooler thanks to a vapor chamber cooling system that covers three times more area and supports up to 40 percent faster sustained performance. There's also a new dual Neural Engine, though RAM stays at 12GB.

Battery life improves in both models. The iPhone 18 Pro is rated for up to 36 hours of video playback, while the Pro Max reaches up to 45 hours. Charging over USB-C is faster, delivering a 50 percent charge in 15 minutes with a 60W adapter. MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging remain, capped at 25W.

Camera and video upgrades

The three-lens system features an upgraded 48MP Main camera with a variable aperture offering four stops: ƒ/1.48, ƒ/1.8, ƒ/2.8, and ƒ/4.0. The aperture adjusts automatically, but a new Pro Controls option lets users manually change aperture, shutter speed, and white balance, with a histogram for fine-tuning.

Photographic Styles now include texture and grain controls. When filming, smart focus tracking can lock onto a subject even after it leaves the frame. For the first time, cinematic effects can be added to video after capture, Audio Mix works with music, and the phones support 4K Dolby Vision time-lapse videos.

Modem split and pricing

All 6.3-inch iPhone 18 Pro models use Apple's C2 modem, while iPhone 18 Pro Max units in the U.S. carry a Qualcomm modem. Pro Max models sold outside the U.S. also use the C2, and Apple has not explained the split. The C2 is faster and more energy-efficient than the earlier C1X and now supports mmWave 5G in addition to sub-6GHz.

Prices have risen. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 in the U.S., and the Pro Max starts at $1,299, both a $100 increase over the base models of the previous generation. Starting storage remains 256GB, with options up to 2TB.

Pre-orders open at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Saturday, September 12, with retail availability on September 18.