iPhone 18 Pro Review: A20 Pro Chip and Variable Aperture Deliver Incremental Gains

Key points

• The iPhone 18 Pro features the new A20 Pro chip, which is approximately 27% faster than the previous A19 Pro, with 45% faster graphics performance.
• The main 48MP camera now includes a variable aperture with six physical blades, allowing manual control over light intake and depth of field.
• Battery life has improved significantly, lasting up to two days with moderate use, and fast charging can reach 50% in 15 minutes with a 60W adapter.
• The Dynamic Island is smaller and can now display three live activities simultaneously, up from two on previous models.
• The device starts at $1,199 for 256GB, representing a $100 price increase over the previous generation due to higher RAM costs.

Background

The iPhone 18 Pro was launched in September 2026 alongside the foldable iPhone Duo. Previous coverage indicated that Apple discontinued the iPhone 17 Pro line to make way for the new 18 Pro series. The 18 Pro introduces a 2nm A20 Pro chip and a variable-aperture camera, marking a shift from the fixed-aperture systems used in the 17 Pro and 16 Pro generations.

How outlets are covering it

The Guardian describes the iPhone 18 Pro as an iterative upgrade that is 'without doubt the best iPhone ever made' but notes that the changes are not transformative for users of recent models. Engadget highlights the practical benefits of the variable aperture and new camera controls, emphasizing the ease of fast charging. Tom's Guide focuses on the comparison between the 18 Pro and the 16 Pro, questioning whether a two-year upgrade is worth the cost, though the article text was largely obscured by site navigation elements.

Why it matters

The iPhone 18 Pro sets a new benchmark for smartphone performance and camera capabilities, particularly with its variable aperture and faster charging. However, the modest price increase and incremental nature of the upgrades may deter users of recent iPhone models from upgrading, while older users may find the improvements compelling.

What to watch

Apple is expected to announce the regular iPhone 18 in the coming weeks. Users can expect further software updates for iOS 27, including refinements to the new Siri AI features. The market will likely see increased competition from Android flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Google Pixel 11 Pro, which are priced similarly.