Apple Launches iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max With Variable Aperture Camera and A20 Pro Chip

Apple introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max on September 9, 2026, at its ‘Surprise and Shine’ event at Apple Park. The launch marked the first major product unveiling under new CEO John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook.

New Camera System and A20 Pro Chip

The iPhone 18 Pro models feature a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera with a mechanical variable aperture, a first for iPhone. The system uses six laser-cut blades to adjust across four aperture settings: f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8, and f/4.0. A new ‘Pro Controls’ interface allows photographers to manually adjust aperture, shutter speed, and white balance.

Both phones run on the A20 Pro chip, built on a 2-nanometer process. Apple says the chip offers up to 40 percent faster GPU performance and double the AI processing power of the previous A19 Pro. Battery life sees a notable increase, with the iPhone 18 Pro rated for up to 36 hours of video playback and the Pro Max up to 45 hours.

Pricing and Availability

In India, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at Rs 1,64,900 for the 256GB variant, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at Rs 1,79,900. In the United States, the models start at $1,199 and $1,299, respectively. Both phones are available in Black, Silver, Glacier, and a new Burgundy finish.

Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max begin on September 12, 2026, at 5:30 PM IST in India. The devices will be available to customers starting September 18 in India and more than 65 countries and regions. A second wave of availability in another 20 countries will follow on September 25.

Foldable iPhone Duo Also Announced

Alongside the Pro models, Apple unveiled its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo. The device features a 7.6-inch inner display and a 5.4-inch outer display. It comes in Star White and Night Sky colours, with pricing starting at Rs 2,99,900 in India. Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo begin on October 16, with availability starting October 23.

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max ship with iOS 27 and support Apple Intelligence and Siri AI. The new models represent Apple’s continued focus on premium devices, with the standard iPhone 18 now expected in spring 2027.