Apple's newest products launch today, including the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, AirPods 5, Apple Watch Series 12, and Apple Watch Ultra 4. Many of these devices have launch discounts available at various retailers, all of which you can find below.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
AirPods and Apple Watch Launch Day
What's the deal? Get launch deals on AirPods 5 and Apple Watch Series 12
The AirPods 5, Apple Watch Series 12, and Apple Watch Ultra 4 all launch today, and there are a few initial deals on some model available on Amazon. Although these discounts are small, if you're looking to buy Apple's newest products on launch day, they're the best sales you'll find online.
iPhone 18 Pro
What's the deal? Get launch deals on iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
It's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max launch day, and you can find the usual carrier offers from AT&T, Verizon, and more on the new devices. The popular offer this year is up to $1,200 off the iPhone 18 Pro with eligible device trade-in on select unlimited plans.
iPhone 18 Pro Accessories
What's the deal? Save on color-matched accessories for your iPhone 18 Pro
If you're buying the new iPhone 18 Pro, you might be shopping for matching accessories, and popular accessory companies like Anker and Satechi have introduced a few color-matched accessories for the new burgundy color. This includes the MagGo 2 Pro Magnetic Power Bank from Anker and more.
Mac Mini and Mac Studio Pre-Orders
What's the deal? Take up to $49 off Mac mini and Mac Studio pre-orders
Amazon recently introduced the first cash discounts on Apple's brand new Mac mini and Mac Studio, with discounts reaching up to $49 off original prices. All of these deals are pre-order discounts on the 2026 Mac mini and Mac Studio, which officially launches on September 22.
If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
YouTube channel REWA Technology today shared one of the first iPhone 18 Pro teardown videos, offering a look inside the new device.
iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max feature a smaller Dynamic Island, which Apple achieved by moving Face ID's infrared camera under the display in the top-left corner. The pixels above the infrared camera have a special pattern that lets infrared light pass through, yet the screen looks completely normal at typical viewing angles.
The teardown shows the repositioned infrared camera, plus other changes like the larger 48-megapixel main camera with variable aperture.
The model in the video has a physical SIM card tray, meaning it has a slightly smaller battery compared to eSIM-only models sold in the U.S., Canada, Japan, and select other countries. As expected, this model has a 4,056 mAh battery capacity.
We are still waiting for a teardown of the U.S. version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, which is expected to have a Qualcomm cellular modem, such as the Snapdragon X80 or the Snapdragon X85. The smaller iPhone 18 Pro uses Apple's C2 modem worldwide, as does the iPhone 18 Pro Max in all other countries beyond the U.S., according to Apple.
Apple's latest iPhone upgrade cycle is showing stronger-than-expected demand, with buyers favoring more expensive models and storage configurations, according to an Evercore ISI consumer survey seen by Investing.com.
Evercore surveyed nearly 4,000 consumers in the United States. Among respondents, 67% identified their existing iPhone's age as the main reason to upgrade, a substantial increase from 48% in the previous year's survey.
The purchase preferences also suggest that buyers remain willing to spend more on Apple's higher-end devices. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max together attracted 53% of prospective buyers, with 32% choosing the Pro Max, compared with 29% a year earlier.
Evercore estimates that average iPhone selling prices could increase by approximately 28%. Its forecast combines higher retail prices with a greater proportion of purchases going toward premium models and larger storage configurations, including the reported 2TB options for the iPhone 18 Pro models and iPhone Duo.
The foldable iPhone Duo attracted interest from 14% of respondents. Evercore believes that figure could rise as its mid-October launch approaches, although the survey currently places it well behind the combined Pro models.
Interest extended to other Apple products, with 38% of respondents planning an Apple Watch purchase and 43% considering AirPods. Both figures increased from the previous year.
The findings reflect stated purchase intentions in the U.S., rather than completed sales or worldwide demand. Evercore nevertheless believes they support a stronger revenue outlook for Apple's fiscal 2027 than the ~7% growth anticipated by analysts.
"Design the Next iPhone," an interactive website from developer Neal Agarwal, gives users control over a virtual iPhone's look, including the option to combine conventional smartphone components with deliberately impractical accessories.
The interactive tool starts with a bare iPhone model that can be rotated in 3D, with users able to drag and drop components onto its surface. Cameras, volume buttons, Lightning ports, Home buttons, and Apple logos can be placed wherever users want, with multiple copies of each item available for more unconventional designs.
Beyond standard smartphone features, the site offers a headphone jack, HDMI port, Apple Watch-style Digital Crown, and a hinge. Users can also add an Android or pear logo, a rotary dial, an antenna, or a classic iPod click wheel. The more absurd options include a steering wheel, a joystick, and a Mac Pro "Pro Wheel."
Users can customize the device's color and wallpaper, and give their creation a name. Selecting "Present" generates a mock Apple product presentation with a fictional price based on the components added, along with a pop-up of former Apple CEO Tim Cook praising the design. The finished iPhone can be downloaded as a rotating video.
Starting today, many if not all Apple Stores around the world have received a new "hello" decoration somewhere in the store for the purposes of testing iPhone camera zoom.
Like the iPhone 17 Pro models, the new iPhone 18 Pro models that launched today offer up to 8× optical zoom.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max launched today in markets around the world. Keep reading if you're the owner of one of Apple's latest models. Whether you're upgrading from an older iPhone or completely new to Apple, this guide will help you get the most out your new device.
With the first round of pre-ordered iPhones 18 Pro models now being delivered to customers and availability in stores, MacRumors has put together the following series of dedicated how-to articles explaining all the new features to be found on Apple's newest models.
For customers who forgot to pre-order one of the new models or simply decided to wait, most configurations ordered online are now estimated for delivery in late September or early October, but the good news is that same-day or next-day pickup is now an option at select Apple Store locations around the world.
Like the iPhone 17 Pro models, the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max have three rear cameras – a 48MP Fusion Main lens, an 8x48MP Telephoto lens, and a 48MP Ultra Wide lens. They also share the same focal lengths and resolutions as their predecessors. The big upgrade this year though is the new variable aperture on the Main camera. Let's dive in.
Aperture is what controls how much light enters the lens and hits the sensor. If too little light hits that sensor, images tend to be blurry and/or grainy. To compensate, the shutter has to stay open longer, or it has to turn on Night Mode. The problem with this approach is that the longer the shutter stays open or Night Mode is engaged, the more likely that the imagery will be blurry. Even still photos can lack sharpness and definition.
The solution is to use a variable aperture lens that is physically able to let more or less light in depending on the shot, which in turn allows for variations in shutter speed. The iPhone 18 Pro models can do this automatically, or you can take over the process manually for more stylistic control.
To achieve this, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max trade a fixed ƒ/1.78 aperture for a four-stop variable aperture ranging from ƒ/1.48 to ƒ/4.0, delivering around 50 percent better low-light performance and giving photographers optical control over depth of field that the iPhone has never offered before.
As mentioned, you can leave the iPhone 18 Pro to do its thing with the new variable aperture, or you can take control of it manually. Here's how it's done:
In the Camera app, tap the button with six dots at the bottom-right of the interface.
Select Lens Aperture from the control pane.
Tap one of the four circles to set the aperture: from left to right they range ƒ/1.48, ƒ1.8, ƒ2.8, and finally, ƒ/4.0.
If you change your mind, tap the Auto button on the left to let the iPhone automatically control the aperture.
Try experimenting with different aperture settings to see how they affect your images. The ƒ/1.48, for example, produces a more shallow depth of field, while the ƒ/4.0 will have more of the image in focus.
Just remember that with a variable aperture, the lower the f-number, the wider the aperture and the more light reaches the sensor. That allows the camera to use a faster shutter speed in the same lighting conditions, while also producing a shallower depth of field. By contrast, the higher the f-number, the smaller the aperture, letting in less light but increasing the amount of the scene that can remain in focus. The latter can be useful for landscapes and group shots, for example.
Apple's new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models are now being delivered to customers worldwide following the pre-order period that began on Saturday, September 12. For those who didn't pre-order, there's now a 3-4 week wait time for iPhone 18 Pro Max models across all storage options and colorways in the U.S. Demand has been less strong for iPhone 18 Pro models, but you're still looking at a 2-3 week wait for any configuration. However, delivery or in-store pickup at select Apple Store locations on launch day is still an option.
As of writing, Apple's online stores in the United States and Canada haven't yet been updated to show pickup availability, but there could be shortages for some configurations, though there could be some variation state by state.
In the U.K., all iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max configurations have shipping estimates running into the first and second week of October, respectively, but same-day pickup is still available in many regions, but it could depend on the store you choose. Apple Stores in Australia, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Türkiye, and the UAE are also offering same-day pickup options.
To order a product with Apple Store pickup, add the product to your bag on Apple.com or in the Apple Store app, proceed to checkout, select the "I'll pick it up" option, enter your ZIP or postal code, choose an available Apple Store location, select a pickup date, and select a 15-minute check-in window. Payment is completed online, and a valid government-issued photo ID and the order number may be required upon pickup.
iPhone 18 Pro models may also be available for walk-in customers at Apple Store locations with sufficient inventory, but availability can't be guaranteed. Walk-in customers may be placed into a separate queue with lower priority upon arrival to the store.
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 and the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299. Both received a $100 increase over their predecessors, and the increases get steeper the more storage you opt for, with a 1TB iPhone 18 Pro now costing $300 more than a 1TB iPhone 17 Pro did last year.
Both phones have the same OLED Super Retina XDR always-on display with ProMotion and the Dynamic Island, the A20 Pro chip, 5G connectivity, a 48 megapixel Pro Fusion camera system, and the same four color options: Burgundy, Glacier Blue, Silver, and Black. Both are also offered in the same four storage tiers, including a 2TB option that is available on the smaller Pro model for the first time.
Apple Fifth Avenue in New York is ready for iPhone 18 Pro launch day.
The store's iconic glass cube entrance has received a colorful makeover that matches the iPhone 18 Pro's new Burgundy and Glacier finishes. "So excited for tomorrow," said Apple CEO John Ternus, who will likely be at the store for the launch tomorrow.
It's Friday, September 18 in Australia and New Zealand, which means customers who pre-ordered are beginning to receive their new devices. The iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and AirPods 5 are launching today.
Apple fans who ordered an iPhone, Apple Watch, or AirPods will soon be sharing first impressions on Instagram, Reddit, the MacRumors forums, and other social networks. If you've received one of Apple's latest devices, let us know in the comments below and feel free to share photos and first impressions.
Since there are no Apple Stores in New Zealand, customers in Australia are the first that can pick up their new devices or make a purchase in an Apple Store. In-store stock in Australia will give us insight into what we can expect worldwide, but we are anticipating ample supply of most iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models.
If you missed pre-ordering, you can likely get a new iPhone from an Apple retail location, a carrier, or another big box retailer like Target, Walmart, or Best Buy.
After Australia and New Zealand, sales and deliveries of the new iPhone 18 models and the other devices will begin in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and finally, North America. Some Apple Stores worldwide are opening early at 8:00 a.m. local time to allow customers to pick up reserved devices and make walk-in purchases.
We shared our first unboxing video of the iPhone 18 Pro today, but we'll have the new Apple Watch models tomorrow, and an in-depth iPhone 18 Pro camera video next week.
Apple last week unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. While the devices look very similar to the iPhone 17 Pro models, there are still quite a few new features and incremental changes compared to the previous generation.
Below, we have recapped 10 new features coming with the iPhone 18 Pro models, which have been available to pre-order since Saturday, September 12 and will begin arriving to customers and launch in stores this Friday, September 18.
A20 Pro chip, the first 2nm chip in an iPhone. It has a 6-core CPU, a 7-core GPU, and a 32-core Neural Engine. Apple says the chip delivers up to 20% faster CPU performance and up to 40% faster graphics performance compared to the A19 Pro chip in the iPhone 17 Pro. Apple also says sustained performance is up to 40% faster.
Three new color options: Burgundy, Black, and Glacier. Orange is no longer an option. The rear aluminum and Ceramic Shield glass area are now more color matched.
The main 48-megapixel Fusion camera on both the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max has variable aperture, allowing you to adjust the amount of light that reaches the image sensor for greater control over depth of field. Apple says this upgrade will allow for improved low-light photography and crisper details in the back of group photos. Aperture options include ƒ/1.48, ƒ/1.8, ƒ/2.8, and ƒ/4.0.
In the Camera app on iPhone 18 Pro models, new Pro controls allow you to manually control or adjust shutter speed, white balance, and aperture, and there is an option to use a histogram.
iPhone 18 Pro models can record time-lapse videos in 4K and Dolby Vision HDR.
Both of the iPhone 18 Pro models have longer battery life compared to the previous generation — especially the iPhone 18 Pro Max. If we go by Apple's offline video playback metric, the iPhone 18 Pro Max has up to 15% longer battery life compared to the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Fast charging to 50% now takes 15 minutes, down from 20 minutes.
The revamped vapor chamber cooling system in the iPhone 18 Pro models has three times more surface area than the one in the iPhone 17 Pro models, for even better heat dissipation.
iPhone 18 Pro models worldwide are equipped with Apple's second-generation C2 cellular modem for 5G and LTE, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max has it in every country except for the U.S., where it has a Qualcomm modem. Apple says the C2 chip has "AI-powered improvements" to cellular quality and reliability, delivering "meaningfully faster uploads when compared to its previous C1X modem while consuming 15% less energy. In the U.S., the chip supports mmWave 5G.
There is now a 2TB storage capacity for both the Pro and Pro Max models — it was previously exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Starting today, new and qualifying returning subscribers can get a free three-month Apple One trial with the purchase of any new iPhone, iPad, or Mac capable of running the latest iOS, iPadOS, or macOS versions from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller.
For the three-month trial, you can choose from any of the available plans: Apple One Individual (normally $21.95 per month in the U.S.), Apple One Family (normally $27.95 per month), or Apple One Premier (normally $39.95 per month). After the trial ends, you will be automatically billed at the full price unless/until you cancel.
Here's what each plan includes:
Individual: 50GB of iCloud+ storage, Apple TV, Apple Music, and Apple Arcade
Family: 200GB of iCloud+ storage, Apple TV, Apple Music, and Apple Arcade
Premier: 2TB of iCloud+ storage, Apple TV, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, and Apple News+
Apple says the offer is not available to current Apple One subscribers, or to previous Apple One subscribers who cancelled within the last 60 days. There are some other strings attached, so visit the offer page and review Apple's terms and conditions.
Apple's steps to initiate the trial:
Turn on your new iPhone, iPad, or Mac and sign in with your Apple Account.
Make sure the device is running the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS.
Open the Settings app and look for "Services included with your purchase" to complete setup.
If you cancel the trial, Apple says it ends immediately.
Apple says the three-month trial is available in the following countries:
Customers receiving an iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, an Apple Watch Series 12, or an Apple Watch Ultra 4 tomorrow will need to install a software update right away.
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max ship with iOS 27 variants with a 24A427 or 24A8428 version number. The launch version of iOS 27 is version 24A437, so if you're getting an iPhone 18 Pro, expect a software update during the setup process.
The Apple Watch Series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4 have watchOS 27 with a version number of 24R359, but the launch version of watchOS 27 is 24R364.
We're also expecting the AirPods 5 to have a day one firmware update, though that will happen over the air. Apple recently released 9A350 AirPods firmware to add support for iOS 27 features.
All of the new products are set to launch on Friday, September 18.
Both the 18 Pro and Pro Max are heavier than the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models they replace, and it's most noticeable when you pick up the Pro Max. It was a heavy phone to begin with, and now there's more weight (249 grams vs. 233 grams).
If you hated last year's two-tone design with the contrast between the aluminum frame and the glass back, there's good news. Apple is now matching the glass to the frame for a more uniform look.
Our review unit is Apple's new glacier color, which is a light blue that's slightly different from the other light blue shades Apple has used in the past. Unlike some of those blues, the glacier color actually looks blue and not silver. Apple is also offering the iPhone 18 Pro models in burgundy, silver, and black. We have a burgundy model on the way and will share that in the future.
There's a fancy new 2nm A20 Pro chip inside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, but depending on what you're upgrading from, you might not notice much in the way of performance. iPhones have used wildly fast chips for the last several years, and you're not stressing the processor when browsing the web and scrolling social media sites. What you might notice is the new vapor chamber cooling system. It takes up three times more surface area, so the iPhone stays cooler when you are doing something that takes a little more processing power like playing a game. Battery life has improved, but that's not something we've had time to test yet. Apple says you'll get up to 36 hours of video playback with the 18 Pro and 45 hours with the 18 Pro Max.
If you're in the U.S. and buying an iPhone 18 Pro, it will have Apple's new C2 modem, but if you get the 18 Pro Max, it's going to have a Qualcomm modem. Both models use the C2 outside of the U.S. The C2 modem has mmWave 5G for the first time, plus it's more efficient than Qualcomm modems, so it will be interesting to see some speed tests comparing the two.
Apple slimmed down the Dynamic Island by putting the infrared camera under the display, and that's the most noticeable change on the front of the device. It takes up less space, and Apple also updated it so it can show three Live Activities at once or two in more detail.
There's a new variable aperture Main camera that also has a new sensor, plus Apple tweaked its computational imaging pipeline. With a variable aperture lens, there's more control over lighting and depth of field. If it's super bright outside, the iPhone can automatically adjust the aperture to let in less light. If it's dark, a wider aperture will let in more light. There are four aperture settings in total, and it works behind the scenes so you can just snap photos as usual. You'll probably notice it most in low lighting.
If you want to control the aperture yourself, you can do so with new Pro Controls that also give you the option to adjust shutter speed and white balance. There's a histogram too so you can check exposure levels.
We'll have a full video on the iPhone 18 Pro camera system coming next week.
Pricing on the iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max is priced starting at $1,299. Both new iPhones launch on September 18.
In the U.S., Apple is charging a higher $129 out-of-warranty fee to replace the battery in an iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max compared to previous models, according to its website.
Apple has always charged $119 to replace the battery in iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro models, so the fee has increased by $10 for the iPhone 18 Pro models, which have larger batteries. If your iPhone has AppleCare+ coverage, though, Apple will replace the battery for no extra charge if its capacity has dropped below 80%. You can check this in the Settings app under Battery → Battery Health.
Apple announced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max earlier this month, arriving three years after the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Three generations of changes make for a substantial upgrade, bringing larger displays, an all-new design, improvements to every camera, significantly longer battery life, and faster charging.
The iPhone 16 Pro introduced larger displays with thinner borders, the Camera Control, a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera, and improved video and audio recording. The iPhone 17 Pro replaced the titanium frame and glass back with an aluminum unibody, added vapor chamber cooling and Ceramic Shield 2, and upgraded both the telephoto and front-facing cameras. This year's refresh centers on the A20 Pro chip, a variable-aperture Main camera, a smaller Dynamic Island, and a further increase in battery capacity. For iPhone 15 Pro owners, all three sets of changes accumulate.
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 for 256GB, $200 more than the iPhone 15 Pro's $999 launch price, although the entry storage tier has doubled from 128GB. The iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299, $100 more than the iPhone 15 Pro Max's equivalent starting configuration. Here are the key differences between the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro:
Design and Display
iPhone 15 Pro (2023)
iPhone 18 Pro (2026)
Brushed titanium frame with full glass back
Aluminum unibody with partial Ceramic Shield back, improving heat dissipation
Glass rounded square camera bump
Full-width rounded rectangle aluminum camera plateau
iPhone 18 Pro: 211 grams (7.44 ounces), an increase of 24 grams iPhone 18 Pro Max: 249 grams (8.78 ounces), an increase of 28 grams
Chip, Performance, and Connectivity
iPhone 15 Pro (2023)
iPhone 18 Pro (2026)
A17 Pro chip
A20 Pro chip
Built with TSMC's N3B process (first-generation 3nm)
Built with TSMC's N2 process (2nm), Apple's first 2nm smartphone chip
6-core CPU with 2 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores
6-core CPU with 2 super cores and 4 efficiency cores
8GB LPDDR5 RAM
12GB LPDDR5X RAM
51.2Gb/s memory bandwidth<
115GB/s memory bandwidth
6-core GPU
7-core GPU with Neural Accelerators
First-generation hardware-accelerated ray tracing
Faster hardware-accelerated ray tracing
16-core Neural Engine
Dual 16-core Neural Engine (32 total cores)
Vapor chamber cooling with 3x more surface area than the iPhone 17 Pro
New chip packaging that places silicon die beside memory, allowing it to attach directly to the vapor chamber
Earlier video encoding hardware
Enhanced video encoding hardware supporting higher-frame-rate recording and additional professional formats
Qualcomm Snapdragon X70 modem
iPhone 18 Pro: Apple C2 modem in all countries iPhone 18 Pro Max: Apple C2 modem in all countries except the U.S., where it uses a Qualcomm modem
Broadcom Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip
Apple N1 chip for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread
Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity
Bluetooth 6 connectivity
Rear Camera
iPhone 15 Pro (2023)
iPhone 18 Pro (2026)
First-generation quad-pixel sensor
Newer sensor and computational imaging pipeline, building on the faster readout speeds and zero shutter lag introduced with the iPhone 16 Pro
Fixed ƒ/1.78 aperture on the Main camera
Variable aperture with four stops: ƒ/1.48, ƒ/1.8, ƒ/2.8, and ƒ/4.0, using six laser-cut blades
API available for developers to control the aperture range within their own apps
Night mode
Faster Night mode, tied to the new variable-aperture lens
Around 50% better Main camera low-light performance than the iPhone 16 Pro, with more detail in the back of group photos
Pro controls in the Camera app: manual lens aperture, shutter speed, white balance, and histogram
12-megapixel Ultra Wide camera
48-megapixel Fusion Ultra Wide camera
12-megapixel Telephoto camera
48-megapixel Fusion Telephoto camera
iPhone 15 Pro: 3x Telephoto camera, with 77mm focal length iPhone 15 Pro Max: 5x Telephoto camera, with 120mm focal length
4x Telephoto camera, with 100mm focal length, also enabling 12-megapixel optical-quality 8x shots at 200mm
iPhone 15 Pro: 0.5x, 1x, 2x, and 3x zoom options, with optical-quality 2x derived from the Main camera iPhone 15 Pro Max: 0.5x, 1x, 2x, and 5x zoom options, with optical-quality 2x derived from the Main camera
0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, and 8x zoom options, with optical-quality 2x and 8x derived from the Main and Telephoto cameras
Macro photography
48-megapixel macro photography
Support for JPEG-XL format
First-generation Photographic Styles
Photographic Styles 3, with tone, color, texture, and grain controls
Depth mapping for AR and portrait photography
Enhanced depth mapping for AR and portrait photography, with more accurate background and subject separation and more realistic bokeh
Smart focus tracking
Apple Reference Image (Main camera only)
Camera Control
The iPhone 15 Pro already has an Action button that can launch the camera or Visual Intelligence, but it lacks the dedicated Camera Control introduced with the iPhone 16 lineup. The iPhone 18 Pro's Camera Control provides the following additional functions:
Press Camera Control to launch the Camera app
Press to capture a photo or press and hold to record video
Light press to lock focus and exposure before reframing
Slide across the capacitive surface to adjust settings such as zoom, exposure, styles, and tone
Light-press controls overlay for quick access to camera settings
Integration with supported third-party camera apps
Press and hold to activate Visual Intelligence
Video Recording
iPhone 15 Pro (2023)
iPhone 18 Pro (2026)
4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps, with Dolby Vision HDR up to 60 fps
4K Dolby Vision video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps, 100 fps (Fusion Main), or 120 fps (Fusion Main)
1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
1080p Dolby Vision video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps, or 120 fps (Fusion Main)
ProRes video recording up to 4K at 60 fps with external recording
ProRes video recording up to 4K at 120 fps with external recording
Slo-mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps
Slo-mo video support for 1080p up to 240 fps and 4K Dolby Vision up to 120 fps (Fusion Main)
Cinematic mode recording up to 4K HDR at 30 fps
Cinematic mode recording up to 4K Dolby Vision at 60 fps
Cinematic mode effects can be applied after capture to Fusion Main video shot at up to 60 fps
Pro controls for lens aperture, shutter speed, white balance, and histogram
Smart focus tracking
Improved low-light video at 1080p
Time-lapse video recording with stabilization
Time-lapse video recording with stabilization, up to 4K Dolby Vision
QuickTake video
QuickTake video up to 4K Dolby Vision at 60 fps
Apple Log
Apple Log 2
ProRes RAW capture support
Genlock support
Dual Capture up to 4K Dolby Vision at 30 fps
Front Camera
iPhone 15 Pro (2023)
iPhone 18 Pro (2026)
12-megapixel TrueDepth camera with conventional rectangular sensor
18-megapixel Center Stage camera with square sensor and TrueDepth technology
Tap to zoom
Tap to zoom and rotate, allowing portrait and landscape framing without rotating the iPhone
Center Stage for photos and video calls
Ultra-stabilized video
Dual Capture, recording the front and rear cameras simultaneously at up to 4K Dolby Vision at 30 fps
First-generation Photographic Styles
Photographic Styles 3, with tone, color, texture, and grain controls
Smart focus tracking, as described in the supplied comparison
Pro controls for shutter speed, white balance, and histogram
4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps, with Dolby Vision HDR up to 60 fps
4K Dolby Vision video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
1080p Dolby Vision video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps
Cinematic mode up to 4K Dolby Vision at 30 fps
Cinematic mode effects can be applied after capture
Improved low-light video at 1080p
Time-lapse video recording with stabilization
Time-lapse video recording with stabilization, up to 4K Dolby Vision
QuickTake video
QuickTake video up to 4K at 60 fps in Dolby Vision
Apple Log
Apple Log 2
ProRes RAW capture support
Audio Recording
iPhone 15 Pro (2023)
iPhone 18 Pro (2026)
Stereo recording
Spatial Audio and stereo recording
Studio-quality four-mic array
Wind noise reduction
Audio Mix with algorithms for higher-quality voices and the ability to isolate music
Battery and Charging
iPhone 15 Pro (2023)
iPhone 18 Pro (2026)
iPhone 15 Pro: 3,274 mAh battery iPhone 15 Pro Max: 4,422 mAh battery
iPhone 18 Pro: 4,056 mAh battery (SIM-tray models); 4,288 mAh battery (eSIM-only models) iPhone 18 Pro Max: 5,391 mAh battery (SIM-tray models); 5,567 mAh battery (eSIM-only models)
iPhone 15 Pro: Up to 23 hours of video playback iPhone 15 Pro Max: Up to 29 hours of video playback
iPhone 18 Pro: Up to 36 hours of video playback iPhone 18 Pro Max: Up to 45 hours of video playback
iPhone 15 Pro: Up to 20 hours of streamed video playback iPhone 15 Pro Max: Up to 25 hours of streamed video playback
iPhone 18 Pro: Up to 33 hours of streamed video playback iPhone 18 Pro Max: Up to 40 hours of streamed video playback
Up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes with a 20W adapter or higher
Up to 50% charge in around 15 minutes with a 60W-capable adapter or higher supporting Adjustable Voltage Supply
MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W with a 20W adapter or higher
MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W, reaching 50% charge in 30 minutes with a 35W adapter or higher
Qi2 wireless charging up to 15W
Qi2 wireless charging up to 25W
Storage and Pricing
iPhone 15 Pro (2023)
iPhone 18 Pro (2026)
iPhone 15 Pro: Available with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage iPhone 15 Pro Max: Available with 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage
Available with 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB storage
iPhone 15 Pro: Launched at $999 (128GB), $1,099 (256GB), $1,299 (512GB), $1,499 (1TB) iPhone 15 Pro Max: Launched at $1,199 (256GB), $1,399 (512GB), $1,599 (1TB)
Current purchase prices depend on third-party stock, condition, and warranty
iPhone 18 Pro: From $49.95 a month for 24 months via Apple Upgrade iPhone 18 Pro Max: From $54.12 a month for 24 months via Apple Upgrade
Which to Choose?
For iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max owners considering a replacement, the iPhone 18 Pro is a worthwhile upgrade. Three generations of changes bring improvements to the display, each camera on the device, battery life, charging, and sustained performance. Battery life is likely to be the strongest argument for most users, particularly if their current device no longer comfortably lasts through the day, while faster wired charging makes brief charging stops more useful.
The camera upgrade is especially compelling for anyone who regularly takes photos or records video. Higher-resolution Ultra Wide and Telephoto cameras expand the options beyond the Main camera, while the variable aperture and Pro controls provide additional creative flexibility. The Camera Control also offers a dedicated way to launch the camera and adjust settings, although its value will depend on whether you prefer physical controls to the touchscreen.
Owners of the smaller iPhone 15 Pro gain more native telephoto reach, moving from 3x to 4x, as well as the optical-quality 8x option. For iPhone 15 Pro Max owners, the camera moves from 5x to 4x, with the higher-resolution sensor enabling the additional 8x crop.
For video creators, the accumulated changes are more consequential still. Higher-frame-rate 4K recording, ProRes RAW, Genlock, Apple Log 2, Dual Capture, and improved audio tools expand the range of work that can be completed on the device. The square front-camera sensor also makes landscape framing easier without rotating the phone, while Center Stage improves flexibility for group photos and video calls.
The A20 Pro and vapor chamber cooling make the strongest performance case for users who play demanding games, record long video clips, or regularly push their device through sustained workloads. More RAM and additional AI processing hardware provide greater headroom for supported on-device tasks. For messaging, browsing, and other everyday activities, the A17 Pro remains capable, and access to iOS 27, Apple Intelligence, or Visual Intelligence alone does not require replacing it.
There are physical trade-offs to consider. Both newer models are larger and thicker, with weight increasing by 24 grams on the Pro and 28 grams on the Pro Max. The aluminum enclosure improves heat flow, but it may show dents and scratches more readily than the titanium frame. Users who chose the iPhone 15 Pro for its relatively compact size and light weight may find those changes less appealing, even with the improvements in screen size and battery life.
If your iPhone 15 Pro still meets your needs and comfortably lasts through the day, there is not am urgent reason to replace it. It is still a capable device with support for iOS 27, Apple Intelligence, and Siri AI. A battery replacement may be worth considering if reduced health is your main complaint and you would otherwise be happy to keep the device. The upgrade becomes much easier to recommend when battery limitations coincide with a desire for the newer cameras, larger display, or improved performance.
A discounted iPhone 17 Pro is another option if your priorities are the aluminum design, higher-resolution telephoto camera, square front-camera sensor, and vapor chamber cooling. Those upgrades arrived before this year's model. Paying more for the iPhone 18 Pro makes the clearest sense when you also want the variable aperture, Pro controls, A20 Pro, smaller Dynamic Island, and further improvements to battery life and charging.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max opened on Saturday, September 12, with availability beginning Friday, September 18.
Apple released macOS 27 Golden Gate this week, and despite the company's focus this year on refining its flagship operating system, improving performance, and nixing bugs, there are still plenty of new things to explore. There's an overhauled Siri experience, changes across Apple's apps, and much-needed updates across the system interface.
In this article, we've selected 50 new features and lesser-known changes that are worth checking out if you're updating your Mac. Siri AI remains in beta and is initially rolling out in English, and the availability of some features varies by language and region. What do you think of macOS Golden Gate so far? Let us know in the comments.
Siri AI Replaces the Old Siri Experience
In macOS 27, Apple has turned Spotlight into the place to search your Mac or ask Siri AI a question. From the new "Search or Ask" bar, you can hold a conversation with Siri, find relevant information in apps such as Mail and Photos, and take actions in supported apps.
Adjustable Liquid Glass Transparency Slider
System Settings now has a slider that lets users adjust Liquid Glass from ultra-clear to fully tinted (found in Appearance ➝ Liquid Glass). Apple has also improved contrast and window shadows, standardized macOS toolbars, and made sidebars extend to the edges of app windows. The changes aim to make controls easier to read and active windows easier to distinguish.
Safari's Start Page Can Resume a Browsing Topic
Safari's Start Page has a new Recently Viewed section that brings back your recently closed browsing topics as well as topics open on any of your other devices. It offers a handy way to pick up a search or research session without trawling through your browser history.
Visual Intelligence Comes to the Mac
Visual Intelligence is now available on the Mac. Simply press Shift-Command-Space to select something onscreen, then ask Siri to explain it, translate text, search for similar images, or find related information. Siri can also use what it recognizes to take an action, such as adding the details from an event flyer to your Calendar.
Photos Can Save a Video Frame as a Still Photo
The Photos app can now save a frame from a video as a separate photo. Pause a clip at the moment you want, right-click (or Control-click) it, then choose "Save Video Frame as Photo," and it will add the still image to your library without exporting the entire video.
Past Conversations Are Saved in a New Siri App
macOS now has a dedicated Siri app where you can start new conversations or revisit past chats you've had with Siri. The app has a card-style interface with details on your most recent chats across all of your devices. You can also use the search button to find conversations, and there's a pin option for ones you revisit frequently. The Siri app is cross-platform and your content syncs across all of your Apple devices.
Shared Albums Go Full Resolution
Previously in Photos, pictures in a Shared Album were automatically reduced to 2,048 pixels on the long edge (except for panoramic photos, which can be up to 5,400 pixels wide). In macOS 27 though, Shared Albums finally support full-resolution photos and videos. But there comes a major trade-off. For years now, Apple has allowed you to store up to 5,000 photos and videos in Shared Albums without impacting your iCloud storage limit. That's no longer the case in Golden Gate.
Non-Apple Users Can Add to Shared Albums
People using Android or Windows can now join and contribute to your Shared Albums through iCloud.com. Users can also set an album to expire after 30 days, filter its photos and videos, review recent activity, and react to images with any emoji. Just remember that if you share an album with someone, what they add to it counts against your iCloud storage limit.
Photos Can Reframe Images
Photos has a new advanced editing tool in macOS 27. Reframe uses information captured with a compatible photo to change its apparent camera angle. It works by combining AI and spatial images so you can change the perspective or composition of a picture.
Photos Can Extend Images
Photos has another new editing feature: Extend lets you change the crop of an image, expanding the borders around content to zoom out a bit or change the photo's composition. It uses generative AI to fill in missing areas, and you can adjust the borders with drag gestures.
Cleaning Up Photos Got a Lot Better
Clean Up now uses new AI models, and it's better at removing objects. The original version of Clean Up was best for small items with little complexity in the surrounding area, but now it can do more work reconstructing backgrounds with generative AI. It also offers Fast, High Quality, and Auto modes. Apple says usage limits may apply.
Swipe Down to Refresh Comes to Mac Apps
The familiar swipe-down-to-refresh gesture comes to Safari, Mail, News, Podcasts, and Calendar on the Mac. Pulling down on content via your trackpad (or with your finger on iPad via Sidecar) causes the app to load the latest information, meaning you don't have to reach for a refresh button or keyboard shortcut.
Mail Search Puts More Relevant Results First
In Mail, search actually works properly in macOS 27. It now ranks messages by relevance rather than relying on matching words and recency. A search for a store, for example, can put an order confirmation ahead of promotional emails from the same sender, even if the order is buried in the inbox.
App Icons Gain More Liquid Glass Detail
Apple's app icons now have more layers of Liquid Glass, which adds detail and sharper edges across light, dark, clear, and tinted appearances. It's a smaller visual change than the new Appearance slider, but one you'll see throughout the Dock and app grid.
iPhone Mirroring Windows Become Resizable
Users can now drag a corner of an iPhone Mirroring window to make it larger or wider. Supported apps can show more information as the window expands, and macOS 27 now also supports playback of protected video in the mirrored window. Bear in mind that individual streaming providers may still restrict what can be mirrored, and iPhone Mirroring remains unavailable in the European Union.
Write With Siri Almost Anywhere
Write with Siri can generate a draft from a description, give feedback on existing text, or make a requested edit, such as shortening a paragraph or changing its tone. It works virtually anywhere you can type, and Apple says it can match your writing style in Mail and Messages.
Photos Adds Keywords and Star Ratings
Photos now lets users add keywords and one-to-five-star ratings to both photos and videos. Ratings can also be used as a filter, so it's easier to narrow down a large library to your best shots. Ratings controls are off by default, but you can enable them in Photos' General settings by checking the box next to "Show Rating Controls."
Add Extra-Large Widgets to Desktop
If you have any widgets on your desktop, try right-clicking (or Ctrl-clicking) on them and looking for a new option called Extra-Large Portrait. You can now make widgets take up a lot more screen space, which is useful for things like weather, home, and reminder widgets.
Trade in Siri for ChatGPT
The new Siri app and the "Search or Ask" bar (Command-Space) defaults to the new Siri AI, but you can switch it to ChatGPT if you prefer. Simply right-click (or Ctrl-click) and select "Ask..." From the context menu, and you'll see an option to change to ChatGPT. Note that conversation context doesn't transfer when you switch chatbot providers.
Safari Organizes Pages for You
If you have several webpages open with related content, Safari can automatically group these open tabs by topic while keeping any unrelated browsing sessions apart. To enable the feature, open Safari's Settings, select the Tabs section, and choose "Organize Tabs: Automatically Create Topics."
Safari Can Notify You When a Page Changes
Notify Me is another new Safari feature that enables the browser to watch a webpage for a specific change, such as a product restock or price drop, and alert you when it happens. The feature's monitoring options include daily, weekly, or monthly schedules.
Apple Notes Now Lets You Draw
The Continuity feature has allowed you to sketch in the Notes app by opening a virtual drawing board on your iPhone or iPad. But that meant you had to have at least one iOS device linked to your Apple Account. Happily, that's no longer a requirement in macOS 27, which adds a native drawing tool to the Notes app. It includes Pen, Monoline, Marker, Pencil, Crayon, Fountain Pen, Reed, and Watercolor tools.
Video Podcasts Get Better Mac Playback
The Podcasts app gives video shows fuller playback controls on the Mac, including Picture in Picture and a download option for offline viewing. You can switch between watching and listening when a show supports video, and the search function in a show's episode list makes older episodes easier to find.
Image Playground Gets More Styles
Image Playground has been overhauled to become genuinely useful, and it can now generate pictures in a wider range of styles, including photorealistic images. You can select part of an image and describe how you want it changed, or combine images to create something new. As with other Apple Intelligence features, Apple says usage limits may apply.
New Golden Gate Wallpapers Arrive
Golden Gate includes Sunset and Night wallpapers featuring San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, along with a new abstract wallpaper. The Bridge wallpapers animate when your Mac unlocks and you can also use them as your screen savers.
Safari Can Build Extensions From a Description
Safari's Create an Extension option lets you describe what you want a browser extension to do in plain language. For example, a request to add a button for saving recipes can become a custom extension without you having to go near a single line of code. Safari also offers suggested prompts for productivity, focus, and design tasks.
Freeform Adds Drawing, Collaborative Folders
Freeform now supports drawing directly on the Mac, thanks to sketching tools being included in its shared boards. Golden Gate also adds folders for organizing collaborative boards and a canvas that adapts to Dark Mode.
Faster AirDrop and Network Browsing
Apple says Golden Gate makes AirDrop transfers and browsing folders on Windows or NAS network shares faster. Safari's Start Page content also loads more quickly, and Mission Control and Spaces animations are smoother.
Calendar Events Can Be Added by Description
Calendar can now create or edit an event from your plain-language description. You can describe a lunch meeting, change the time and adjust the description to make it a coffee meeting, and Calendar will adjust the event rather than requiring every detail to be edited separately.
Enhanced Maps Flyover
With Flyover, cities like Boston, New York, London, and Chicago include more detailed 3D renderings of their skylines. Apple has enhanced the 3D models for these cities by combining AI and aerial imagery to achieve more detailed and realistic cityscapes.
Slideshows Can Start From Any Photos Album
Photos can now create slideshows from any album or collection, rather than limiting them to Memories. You can customize the presentation and save it as a video to keep or share.
Passwords Will (Soon) Auto-Repair Weak Logins
The Passwords app already warns users about weak or compromised logins. Apple says a future software update will let it use Safari to change eligible passwords automatically, replacing a vulnerable login with a stronger one on your behalf.
External Displays Get Better Resolution Support
Golden Gate adds more resolution and refresh-rate choices for compatible external displays, including 5K at 120Hz on certain ultrawide screens. Apple also says the Mac does a better job of restoring window positions, Spaces, and screen assignments when a display is unplugged and reconnected.
macOS Suggests Names for Files and Folders
In Finder, TextEdit, and other Apple apps, Apple Intelligence can suggest a name for a file or folder based on its contents. The feature is designed to make saved items easier to recognize later, especially when the original name doesn't give much away about what's inside.
Siri Gains New Expressive Voices
Siri AI now has more expressive voices alongside a big improvement to systemwide dictation accuracy. You can adjust both the expressiveness and pace of Siri's voice to your preference with sliders in a new Voice section in System Settings ➝ Siri. Siri's new expressive voices require an M3 or newer Mac with at least 12GB of memory.
Weather's Forecast Views Are Refreshed
Weather in macOS 27 has a more orderly layout, with more room for its hourly and 10-day forecasts. You can also switch between current conditions, precipitation, and wind views, while a new Highlights section calls out notable weather events ahead. Highlights are currently only available in U.S. English.
Create Shortcuts With Natural Language
True to this era of AI, Shortcuts can now build you an automation from a plain-language description. You can ask it to assemble a sequence of actions across apps, then test, edit, or refine the result with another description. Apple says usage limits may apply.
Finder Columns Are Easier to Size and Reset
New autosize and reset controls make columns easier to manage in Finder. Right-click (or Control-click) the bottom of a column, and you'll see options to adjust a crowded view without dragging each column boundary into place by hand.
Sidecar Finally Supports Direct Finger Input
Sidecar now lets you interact directly with the Mac interface on an iPad used as a second display. With a compatible iPad, you can tap controls, scroll with a finger, and use more system gestures instead of relying on your mouse or trackpad.
New Screen Time Controls for Parents
Parents can now set category-level allowances with different schedules by day and time, making controls more flexible than one broad daily limit. Meanwhile, Ask to Browse lets kids ask your permission to visit websites. There are also expanded protections against gore and violence, alongside existing nudity protections.
Make Interface Boundaries Clearer
A new Show Borders accessibility option makes the boundaries of macOS interface elements easier to see, in case you could do with some help distinguishing controls and panels where translucent surfaces otherwise blend into the surrounding window.
Widgets Can Update in Real Time
Widgets will now update in real time when their associated app is open, so the information you see on the desktop remains in step with what you see inside the app, instead of you having to wait for a less frequent refresh.
Dock Shows Active Background Processes
If you quit an app and it is still running a background process, you'll see the indicator beneath its Dock icon turn a light gray. To end the activity, right-click the app's icon and select "Stop Running in Background."
Photos Gains New Utility Collections
The Photos app now has two Utility collections. "Captured by Me" gathers pictures taken with your current and any previous iPhones, while "Identity Documents" brings together images of passports, driver's licenses, and any similar records you might have.
Intel Macs Miss Golden Gate
If you have a very old machine, there's something you should know: Golden Gate does not run on Intel Macs – it requires Apple silicon (that includes the A-series chip in MacBook Neo). Sorry, Intel users.
Rosetta Support Is Ending
macOS 27 is also the final major release with general-purpose Rosetta support for Intel-only apps on Macs with Apple silicon. Apple says those apps will stop working in the next major release, apart from certain older games.
Smart Replies Can Sound More Like You
Mail's Smart Replies are able to reflect your usual writing style when they suggest a response, right down to your tone and phrasing, so now a quick reply can sound more like something you would have written yourself. To use a smart reply, click the reply button on an email, click inside the message field, then choose one of the suggested replies generated by Apple Intelligence.
Get Context on a Phone Call
Just like in iOS 27, the Phone app on Mac supports a new Call Context feature. It can surface relevant information from the Mail app. If you call an airline, it might show your confirmation code for an upcoming flight, or your reservation code if you're calling a hotel. It doesn't listen to what you're saying, but instead looks at the number you're calling and links it to details in the Mail app.
Shortcuts Adds Screenshot and Alert Triggers
Shortcuts automations can now be triggered simply by taking a screenshot or receiving a notification. The new options add to existing triggers such as time of day, location, and app activity, giving you more ways to start a routine automatically.
Reminders Understands Natural Language
If you enter a natural-language request in Reminders, the app can fill in details you specify such as a date, time, or location, saving you from having to enter each field separately.
Apple said the new iPhone 18 Pro models are capable of faster USB-C charging compared to the iPhone 17 Pro models, and a new video shared by the YouTube channel Xiaobai's Tech Reviews offers a closer look at the year-over-year improvement.
As spotted by the account Ice Universe, the video reveals that the iPhone 18 Pro Max can go from 0% to 100% battery life in as little as 55 minutes with a capable charger, compared to 81 minutes for the iPhone 17 Pro Max. In other words, the iPhone 18 Pro Max can be "fully" charged 26 minutes faster compared to the previous generation (iPhones continue to receive a slow trickle of power even after they show 100% battery life).
In line with Apple's advertised claim, the video showed that the iPhone 18 Pro Max can reach 50% battery life in just 15 minutes, down from 20 minutes for the iPhone 17 Pro models.
The smaller iPhone 18 Pro should have similar charging speeds.
During the video's test, the iPhone 18 Pro Max reached a peak charging speed of 52W for the first 12 minutes of the charging session. Last year, the iPhone 17 Pro Max achieved a peak charging speed of 36W in a separate test conducted by ChargerLAB. As always, charging slows down later in a session to prevent overheating.
Exactly how useful these improvements are to you will depend on your charging habits. If you mostly charge your iPhone overnight, then faster charging is obviously not very beneficial. But if you find yourself topping up your iPhone throughout the day, then saving nearly a half hour on a 0% to 100% charge may be meaningful to you.
Apple's tech specs state that to achieve the fastest charging speeds on the iPhone 18 Pro models, you need to use a power adapter capable of 60W or higher with Adjustable Voltage Supply (AVS). Apple sells a charger that meets this description: its 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max, which is priced at $39 on its U.S. online store.
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Starting today, many if not all Apple Stores around the world have 
Apple Fifth Avenue in New York is ready for iPhone 18 Pro launch day.
