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The Vergecast's David Imel and Allison Johnson examined Apple's iPhone 18 Pro camera system, highlighting its new variable aperture main lens designed for better low-light and depth-of-field control. They concluded that the camera app's manual controls, revamped imaging pipeline, and improved ProRAW support are proving more practically useful day-to-day than the aperture hardware itself.
An Android Authority columnist reports buying his 14th iPhone, the iPhone 18 Pro, and argues that Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra and Google's Pixel 11 Pro XL have largely closed the technical gap with Apple's devices. Despite that parity, he says Apple still draws outsized attention and loyalty because of how it markets and narrates its products rather than through superior specs.
Apple's new iPhone 18 Pro launches at $1,199, a $100 increase over the iPhone 17 Pro, adding a variable aperture camera system for photographers. Google's Pixel 11 Pro also rose $100 to $1,099, gaining a larger 48-megapixel telephoto sensor with 30x optical-style zoom and a 120x AI-enhanced Pro Zoom mode. Beyond cameras, the two phones diverge sharply in design, colors and software, running iOS 27 and Android 17 respectively.
Apple is hosting a three-day photography exhibition in New York City, running September 18-20, featuring work by photographers Alex Prager, Jack Davison, and Jimmy Chin shot entirely on the iPhone 18 Pro. Curated by former New York Times Magazine photo director Kathy Ryan, the show titled 'What Holds Us' spans subjects from mountain climbers in British Columbia to intimate portraits inside a London warehouse.
Apple's updated service and repair page shows out-of-warranty battery replacement for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max now costs $129, a $10 increase over the $119 charged for the previous three Pro generations. Other repair costs, like screen and back glass damage, also vary between the two new models, with the larger Pro Max costing more across nearly every category.
In the latest 9to5Mac Happy Hour episode, hosts Chance Miller and Benjamin Mayo share hands-on impressions after a week testing the iPhone 18 Pro and new Apple Watch models, alongside first reactions to Apple's newly released operating systems, including macOS Golden Gate. The episode also touches on rumors that Apple may be developing its own game controllers for iPhone.
Photographer Austin Mann published his annual deep-dive into the iPhone 18 Pro camera, testing the new variable aperture, Pro manual controls, and Photographic Styles 3. He praises the camera's automatic aperture selection, showcases low-light shots enabled by the wider f/1.48 aperture, and details how to separate focus from exposure for the first time on iPhone.
Apple has begun updating early iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max pre-orders to a 'Shipped' status in the Apple Store app and on its website, with devices set to reach customers this Friday, September 18. Buyers who opted into text alerts may also get a shipping notification directly from Apple.
Apple will use 14 iPhone 18 Pro devices to film Friday's Giants-Dodgers game, the season's final Friday Night Baseball broadcast, placing units around Dodger Stadium including the pitch clock, backstop, foul pole and bullpens. Eight of the phones will stream footage live via a dedicated T-Mobile Private 5G Network, capturing batting practice, player introductions and dugout views alongside the main gameplay.
A CNET reviewer who used the iPhone 17 Pro Max extensively while traveling says the newly unveiled iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max address key frustrations. The updated Dynamic Island can now display three live activities at once instead of two, and the phones feature a redesigned vapor chamber along with camera improvements aimed at competing with Android flagships.
Reported battery capacity figures for Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro suggest only incremental improvements over the current lineup, according to leaks circulating ahead of launch. The numbers imply Apple still trails some rivals, including Samsung, on long-term battery durability and capacity growth.
Photographer Tyler Stalman published his annual iPhone camera review, focusing on the iPhone 18 Pro's new variable aperture system, updated Cinematic mode, expanded Photographic Styles, and Apple Reference Image. He found the f/1.48 wide aperture lets in more light, lowering ISO needs and reducing reliance on Night mode, and noted Apple's unusual placement of the aperture blades above the main lens element.