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The Verge editor Sean Hollister, who spent three weeks beta-testing Valve's new Steam Frame headset, hosted a live subscriber Q&A answering questions about the device, its controllers, accessory kit and the Arcturus Vision Camera. He also confirmed the headset left no red mark on his face despite extended wear during a photoshoot.
Apple has started taking pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, which feature a variable aperture camera, a shrunken Dynamic Island capable of showing three Live Activities, and the new A20 Pro chip with faster GPU and memory performance. The phones start at $1,199 and $1,299 respectively, with storage up to 2TB, and ship beginning September 18.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro both pack triple rear-camera systems with roughly 48-50MP sensors and telephoto lenses reaching high zoom levels, but their approaches differ sharply. Google leans on AI to automate exposure, night shots, and zoom via features like Instant Night Sight and Pro Zoom, while Apple adds a variable-aperture lens and manual controls for shutter speed and white balance alongside a new anti-fakery Reference Image tool.
Amazon is selling the Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro for $149.99, half its $299.99 list price, matching the lowest price the outdoor security camera has hit. The device includes 3D motion detection, color night vision, and an integrated siren for deterring intruders.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max feature a Main camera with a wider f/1.48 maximum aperture, up from f/1.7 on last year's models. While variable aperture is the marquee addition to the camera system, this fixed aperture upgrade may matter more to everyday users who don't touch the phone's manual Pro controls.
At Apple's keynote unveiling new iPhones, the standout for this writer wasn't the visually striking iPhone Duo but the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, both of which now include a variable aperture lens with manual control options. Apple also appears to be pairing this hardware change with computational photography to improve Portrait mode results, based on sample images shown at the event.
Insta360 unveiled the Luna Pro, a cheaper gimbal camera with a single lens and sensor, unlike the dual-lens Luna Ultra. It shares the Ultra's removable screen, controls, mics and gimbal design, but relies on digital rather than optical zoom, and offers up to 8K30 video, 37-megapixel photos, and notably 4K vertical video capture.
Insta360's new Luna Pro shares most hardware with the flagship Luna Ultra, including the same Leica Summicron 20mm f1.8 lens, 1-inch sensor, 8K/30 and 4K/120 capture, Dolby Vision, 10-bit I-Log and 37MP stills, but uses a smaller single-lens gimbal head that trims about half an inch off the device's height. Storage (47GB expandable), battery (1,550mAh) and the detachable front panel remote/mic carry over unchanged from the Ultra.
The GoPro Max 2, WIRED's top pick among 360-degree cameras, is currently discounted 40 percent to $299. The camera uses dual 14mm lenses with 1/2.3-inch sensors to capture what GoPro calls 'True 8K' footage, and supports 10-bit log color for advanced editing alongside GoPro's standard color profile.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max introduce a mechanical variable aperture ranging from f/1.48 to f/4, alongside new manual controls for shutter speed, white balance, and focus built directly into the native camera app. These capabilities previously required third-party apps like Halide, but are now integrated natively.
Engadget's podcast hosts Devindra Hardawar and Karissa Bell discuss Apple's newly unveiled iPhone Duo, the company's first foldable phone, and how it compares to Samsung's earlier foldable designs. They also cover the iPhone 18 Pro, which introduces a variable aperture camera but is expected to draw less attention than the Duo this year.
Apple's upcoming iPhone Duo, arriving in October, includes a fourth camera hidden beneath the inner display alongside its front-facing and dual rear cameras. Unlike those, the under-screen camera lacks a listed megapixel count and skips features like 4K video, cinematic mode, slow-mo, LED flash and portrait mode, offering only 1080p recording, FaceTime support, Center Stage and an f/1.8 aperture.