Skip to content
Tech News
← Back to articles

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: Our first hands-on impressions

read original get Apple MagSafe Charger → more articles
Why This Matters

Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max stick with the iPhone 17 Pro's design language but add a variable-aperture main camera and long-requested manual pro controls in the native camera app. That signals Apple is targeting enthusiast photographers who currently rely on third-party apps, while a smaller Dynamic Island now supports three Live Activities at once.

Key Takeaways
Worth a Look

Apple MagSafe Charger — If you're eyeing the iPhone 18 Pro, Apple's own MagSafe Charger snaps magnetically to the back for fuss-free wireless top-ups. It's a natural companion for a phone you'll be draining with variable-aperture camera sessions and stacked Live Activities.

See Apple MagSafe Charger on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.

The new phones look quite similar to the previous iPhone 17 Pro lineup, keeping the same general design, aluminum body, and screen sizes. The 18 Pro lineup comes in four colors: black, silver, “glacier” (which is blue), and burgundy, and they now have color-matched glass on the back that blends in more seamlessly with the body.

Another major new feature is the variable-aperture lens for the main camera and new “pro” controls to help give you more options when taking photos. Apple has also added pro controls to the native camera app, at last our national nightmare is over. You can set the aperture to adjust automatically or use one of four selectable stops: f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8, and f/4.0. There are also manual controls for shutter speed, white balance, and focus — the latter comes with peaking in the preview to help determine what’s in focus, which is a nice touch. The Dynamic Island is also smaller, and Apple says you can now use it to look at three Live Activities at once. I can confirm, yes, this works.