iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Reviewed: Upgrades, New Color and Higher Prices

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max launch this year as part of a lineup that now includes the folding iPhone Duo and omits a regular iPhone 18 model. Visually, the phones retain the previous design but add a new burgundy color, a subtle “glacier” shade, black and silver options, and a slightly smaller Dynamic Island cutout that hides more Face ID components. The standout hardware change is the camera system, which now features a 48 MP main sensor with a variable aperture that can shift from f/1.48 to f/4, improving low-light performance and allowing creative effects.

Powering the devices is the new A20 Pro chip, claimed to be up to 50 % faster, paired with a larger vapor-chamber cooling system that reduces heat during intensive tasks. Apple says the Pro Max can deliver 29 hours of typical use and 43 hours of video playback, while both models support rapid wired charging to 50 % in 15 minutes. Prices begin at £1,199 for the 256 GB Pro and £1,299 for the Pro Max, rising to £2,499 for top-spec configurations, marking a £100 increase from the previous year. The review notes that while the upgrades are meaningful, the high cost and the attention drawn to the folding iPhone Duo could challenge the Pro’s market dominance.