iPhone 18 Pro: A20 Chip, Variable Aperture, and Faster Charging

Key points

• The A20 Pro chip uses a 2nm process, offering 24-27% higher CPU performance and 40% faster GPU speeds compared to the A19 Pro.
• The 48MP main camera now includes a six-blade variable aperture (f/1.48 to f/4.0), allowing manual control over depth of field and light intake.
• Wired charging speeds have increased to 60W, enabling a 0-50% charge in 15 minutes, though this requires a USB PD 3.1 adapter with Adjustable Voltage Supply.
• The Dynamic Island is smaller due to an under-display infrared camera for Face ID, allowing up to three Live Activities to display simultaneously.
• Battery life has improved, with the iPhone 18 Pro Max offering up to 43 hours of video playback, surpassing competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.

Background

The iPhone 18 Pro was unveiled in September 2026, replacing the iPhone 17 Pro lineup. It was launched alongside the foldable iPhone Duo, which lacks several Pro features like the variable aperture and LiDAR. The 18 Pro starts at $1,199, a slight increase from the previous generation's $1,099 starting price.

How outlets are covering it

Engadget highlights the new manual camera controls and Photographic Styles as key user-facing features. AppleInsider emphasizes the A20 Pro's performance gains and notes that while the variable aperture is a major hardware change, its benefits are most noticeable in low-light or specific manual scenarios. TechRadar's content was largely obscured by site scripts, but its title suggests a comparison with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. SlashGear focuses on the A20 Pro's AI capabilities and the battery size, noting that the iPhone 18 Pro now has a larger physical battery than some Android flagships.

Why it matters

The iPhone 18 Pro represents a significant internal upgrade despite a similar external design. The variable aperture and 60W charging address long-standing user requests for more manual control and faster power replenishment, while the A20 Pro chip ensures the device can handle increasingly demanding AI tasks.

What to watch

Apple is expected to continue refining Apple Intelligence features through iOS updates. The iPhone Duo, which lacks several Pro features, is set to launch in late October 2026, potentially affecting the sales trajectory of the 18 Pro.