Apple has officially introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
This year, Apple focuses on four main areas: camera, performance, battery life and artificial intelligence. The new models also bring several hardware changes.
Both phones use the new A20 Pro chip. They also include a redesigned cooling system and a smaller Dynamic Island. Apple has added new camera controls as well.
In Canada, pre-orders start on September 12. The phones will arrive in stores on September 18.
A New 48MP Camera With Variable Aperture
The biggest camera upgrade is the new 48MP Fusion Main camera.
For the first time on an iPhone, Apple has added variable aperture. Six internal blades can adjust the opening of the camera lens.
This system changes how much light reaches the sensor. It also gives users more control over depth of field.
Photographers can choose from four aperture settings inside the Camera app. Apple also lets users adjust shutter speed and white balance manually.
A histogram can help users check exposure while shooting.
Apple has also improved Photographic Styles. Users can now adjust texture and grain.
For video, Cinematic effects can be applied after recording. The feature works with footage captured at up to 60 frames per second.
Apple Reference Image Can Help Verify Photos
Apple is also introducing Apple Reference Image.
The feature aims to help users check whether someone has edited a photo.
When Reference mode is active, the camera records signed sensor data. Apple then creates a protected reference version of the image.
Users can compare this reference with the final photo inside the Photos app.
Apple describes the reference version as a type of digital negative. It can help show whether the original image changed after capture.
Apple also plans to support the SynthID standard later this year. That technology can help identify some AI-generated or AI-edited images.
A20 Pro Brings More Performance
Both iPhone 18 Pro models use Apple’s new A20 Pro chip.
Apple builds the processor with a 2-nanometre manufacturing process.
The company says the chip offers 50% more memory bandwidth than A19 Pro. Its new GPU can also run up to 40% faster.
A20 Pro includes a Dual 16-core Neural Engine. In total, it offers 32 cores for AI processing.
The phones also include Apple’s N1 wireless chip. It supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread.
Apple has also introduced the C2 cellular modem. The company says it improves upload speeds while using less energy.
Apple Redesigns the Cooling System
Performance is only useful if the phone can stay cool.
For that reason, Apple has redesigned the thermal system inside the iPhone 18 Pro.
The new design connects A20 Pro directly to a next-generation vapour chamber.
Apple says the chamber has three times more surface area than the previous version.
According to the company, this system can improve sustained performance by up to 40%.
A Smaller and More Useful Dynamic Island
Apple has also redesigned the Dynamic Island.
The new version takes up less space on the display.
It can now show up to three Live Activities at the same time.
Face ID still works through the Dynamic Island for unlocking the phone, payments and app authentication.
Battery Life Reaches Up to 45 Hours
Battery life gets another major upgrade.
Apple says the eSIM-only iPhone 18 Pro can reach 36 hours of video playback.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max can reach up to 45 hours.
Charging is faster too.
Apple says the iPhone 18 Pro can reach 50% charge in about 15 minutes with wired charging.
Wireless charging can reach 50% in around 30 minutes.
Canadian Models Are Now eSIM-Only
Canadian buyers should pay attention to one important change.
Apple will sell the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max as eSIM-only models in Canada.
That means Canadian versions will no longer include a physical SIM card slot.
Apple uses the extra internal space for a larger battery. The company says this adds about two hours of video playback.
Bell, Freedom Mobile, Rogers and TELUS support eSIM, according to Apple.
For Canadian customers, this makes carrier compatibility even more important when switching providers.
Before buying a new iPhone, users can compare mobile plans and carrier options on PlanHub.
Siri AI Arrives With iOS 27
The iPhone 18 Pro lineup will run iOS 27.
Apple is also introducing a new version of Siri called Siri AI.
The assistant can use personal context from messages, emails and photos.
It can also understand information shown on the screen. Users can then ask Siri to act on that information.
For example, Siri can help find information across apps or respond to content currently displayed.
Apple Intelligence also brings new photo editing tools.
Users can change photo composition with Spatial Reframing and Extend. Apple has also improved Clean Up and Image Playground.
French Support for Siri AI Comes Later
Siri AI will first launch in beta in English.
Apple plans to begin the rollout on September 14.
French support will follow in October. Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish will arrive at the same time.
That delay matters for many users in Quebec.
iPhone 18 Pro Prices in Canada
Apple will offer both models with 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB of storage.
Canadian prices start at:
- iPhone 18 Pro: $1,749 CAD
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: $1,899 CAD
Apple will sell the phones in four colours: black, silver, glacier and burgundy.
Pre-orders open on September 12. General availability begins on September 18.
Should You Upgrade?
The iPhone 18 Pro brings several meaningful upgrades.
The variable-aperture camera gives photographers more control. A20 Pro improves performance and AI processing. Apple has also improved battery life and cooling.
Canadian buyers should also consider the move to eSIM-only models.
For many users, however, the final decision will still come down to price.
Before upgrading, compare current Canadian mobile plans on PlanHub. A cheaper plan could help reduce the total cost of switching to a new iPhone or better a refurbished one.
