Apple Inc. unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, featuring the new A20 Pro chip built on 2-nanometer technology. The devices start at $1,199 and $1,299 respectively, though Apple Intelligence features will not be available in China or the EU.

Pre-orders for the new lineup begin on September 12. Availability starts on September 18 in more than 65 countries and regions, including India, the U.S., and Japan.

Key Hardware Upgrades

The iPhone 18 Pro features a 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture, allowing manual adjustment of four aperture settings. The device includes an upgraded Dynamic Island that displays three Live Activities simultaneously.

Both models are powered by the A20 Pro chip. The chip offers 50% more memory bandwidth than the A19 Pro. Its 7-core GPU is up to 40% faster than the previous generation. Crucially, the A20 chip incorporates two Neural Engines with 32 cores total, designed specifically to increase on-device AI performance.

Battery life improvements are significant. eSIM-only models deliver up to 36 hours of video playback on the iPhone 18 Pro and up to 45 hours on the iPhone 18 Pro Max. The Pro Max model provides up to 30 hours of usage on a full charge based on a new battery usage model.

Software and AI Features

iOS 27 introduces Siri AI, rolling out in beta starting September 14. The update includes Apple Intelligence features such as Spatial Reframing and Image Playground.

Apple has also announced the Apple Reference Image standard, which allows users to verify photo authenticity using signed sensor data at the time of capture. This feature will not be available initially in the EU or China. Support for French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish follows in October.

Pricing and Availability

Storage capacities range from 256GB to 2TB. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 or $49.95 per month for 24 months. The iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299 or $54.12 per month for 24 months.

Apple Trade In offers credit ranging from $175 to $885 for iPhone 13 or later devices. Carrier deals provide up to $1,200 in credits for iPhone 14 or later trades.

Apple introduced AirPods 5, bringing Active Noise Cancellation to its most affordable open-ear model. The device launches at $129, aiming to expand access to premium audio features.

The new lineup includes a standard model and a version with a Wireless Charging Case priced at $149. Both models feature an all-new multiport acoustic architecture and next-generation Adaptive EQ. Pre-orders are available immediately, with retail availability starting September 18.

Key Features

AirPods 5 deliver up to 50 percent more noise reduction compared to AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. This improvement stems from a new multiport acoustic architecture and enhanced computational audio algorithms. The device also introduces an improved Transparency mode for more natural voice representation.

Intelligent features are integrated via Siri AI, which is rolling out in beta with iOS 27. Users can interact hands-free using head gestures for yes or no responses. Live Translation is now available across the entire AirPods lineup, allowing real-time language conversion through computational audio.

Battery and Design

The Wireless Charging Case model adds a force sensor with volume swipe control, a first for the open-ear form factor. Battery life extends to five hours of playback with ANC on a single charge, one hour longer than the previous generation. Total battery life reaches 22 hours with the charging case.

Sustainability

Apple states that AirPods 5 are made with 40 percent recycled material overall. The wireless charging case contains 70 percent recycled plastic, while the battery uses 100 percent recycled cobalt. Manufacturing utilizes 35 percent renewable energy across the supply chain.