iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: Price, 2nm A20 Pro Chip, Camera and Dates

Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max on September 9, 2026 — the first smartphones in the world with a 2-nanometer chip. This generation bets on a variable-aperture camera, Apple’s own C2 modem, a bigger battery and a redesigned cooling system — and lands at a price $100 higher than last year. Sales begin September 18.

Quick answer: what is new?

A 2nm A20 Pro chip (TSMC) with “desktop-class” cores, a main camera with variable aperture (ƒ/1.48 to ƒ/4.0), a smaller Dynamic Island, Apple’s C2 modem, a vapor chamber with triple the surface area, and up to 45 hours of battery on the Pro Max. New Glacier and Burgundy colors. Pre-orders on September 12; in stores September 18. Pricing starts at $1,199 (Pro) and $1,299 (Pro Max).

A20 Pro: the first 2nm chip in a phone

The A20 Pro is built on TSMC’s 2nm process — the iPhone 18 Pro is the first device to use it. Apple redesigned the cores and calls them “desktop class,” with a focus on speeding up on-device AI tasks such as the new Siri in iOS 27. The company cites gains of roughly 18% in performance and up to 30% in power efficiency over the A19 Pro. The redesigned vapor chamber has three times the cooling surface, which should sustain performance in games and 4K recording for longer.

Camera: variable aperture changes iPhone photography

The most tangible upgrade for users is the variable aperture on the main camera. Six laser-cut blades switch between ƒ/1.48, ƒ/1.8, ƒ/2.8 and ƒ/4.0. In practice: more light at night, real depth-of-field control, and motion effects in broad daylight without filters. The main sensor is a three-layer stacked design, the telephoto gained a wider aperture, and Apple added manual aperture and shutter controls, “Apple Reference Image” authentication to prove a photo is original, and grain controls in Photographic Styles.

Specs and pricing

Item	iPhone 18 Pro	iPhone 18 Pro Max
Chip	A20 Pro (2nm, TSMC)
Display	~6.3″ LTPO+, smaller Dynamic Island	~6.9″ LTPO+, smaller Dynamic Island
Main camera	Variable aperture ƒ/1.48–ƒ/4.0, three-layer stacked sensor
Modem	Apple C2 (different versions per model); eSIM-only in select countries
Battery	A full day (reviews)	Up to 45 h video; ~5,567 mAh (reports)
Colors	Glacier, Burgundy and two more options
Starting price (U.S.)	$1,199	$1,299
1TB	+$300 over the base model
Pre-orders / in stores	September 12 / September 18, 2026

What was left out

The design is nearly identical to the iPhone 17 Pro, and the Pro Max got slightly thicker and heavier because of the battery. The standard iPhone 18 was not announced — Apple changed its calendar and will launch it in spring 2027. And the iPhone 17 Pro has been discontinued, so the “last year’s Pro at a discount” option no longer exists.

Why this matters to you

If you own an iPhone 16 Pro or 17 Pro, the variable-aperture camera and the battery are the only strong reasons to upgrade. If you are coming from an iPhone 13, 14 or 15, the leap in chip, camera and the new Siri makes a real difference — but wait for the first weeks of battery reviews before deciding. And budget for the $100 bump: at $1,199, the 18 Pro is the most expensive base Pro Apple has ever sold.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the iPhone 18 Pro cost?

In the U.S., the iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 and the Pro Max at $1,299 — $100 more than the previous generation. The 1TB tier costs $300 above the base model.

When does the iPhone 18 Pro go on sale?

Pre-orders opened September 12, 2026, and the phones hit stores on September 18 in the first wave of countries.

What is the iPhone 18 Pro’s variable-aperture camera?

A six-blade mechanism that physically adjusts the main lens aperture between ƒ/1.48 and ƒ/4.0, allowing more light at night and true depth-of-field control.

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