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Apple iPhone 18 Pro review: big changes for small differences
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- DeepHorus
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro offers significant upgrades for 2026, including longer battery life, a faster A20 Pro chip, and a new variable aperture main camera. The phone is one of two slab-style devices launched alongside Apple's first folding phone, the iPhone Duo. As the cheapest of the new lineup, it starts at £1,199 (€1,449/$1,199/A$2,099), a £100 increase over previous models. A standard iPhone 18 has yet to be announced.
Following the iPhone 17 Pro's full body redesign, the new model is a modest refinement. It is 7g heavier than its predecessor, with back glass that now matches the aluminium body colour available in several new shades. Apple has shrunk the Face ID camera cutout, allowing the Dynamic Island to display three simultaneous tasks instead of two. It also now shows the 5G indicator alongside signal levels during music playback — a long-requested feature for public transport users.
The 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display remains among the best on any phone, featuring a 120Hz OLED panel with 460ppi resolution. An anti-glare coating significantly improves outdoor visibility. The phone measures 150 x 71.9 x 8.75mm and weighs 211g, keeping it compact despite its powerful internals. Storage options include 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB configurations.
The new A20 Pro chip delivers approximately 27% faster performance and 45% improved graphics compared to last year's A19 Pro. A redesigned cooling system sustains peak performance during demanding tasks such as high-settings gaming. Battery life extends six hours longer than the iPhone 17 Pro, lasting roughly two days between charges. Under heavy use, users still end the day with 40% battery remaining.
The iPhone 18 Pro ships with iOS 27, released on 14 September, which refines the Liquid Glass redesign while accelerating system performance. The headline feature is a revamped Siri powered by Google's AI technologies, significantly more capable of understanding and answering questions than previous versions. Users can adjust Siri's speaking speed and expressiveness, and the assistant can access screen content to provide contextual suggestions. However, advanced Siri features only work within Apple's native apps, limiting functionality for those using WhatsApp or Gmail.
The battery retains at least 80% of its original capacity after 1,000 full-charge cycles and can be replaced. The phone supports connectivity including 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, satellite, USB-C, Thread, and NFC. It also carries an IP68 water resistance rating for 6 metres over 30 minutes. These features reinforce Apple's push toward durability and long-term usability.
The iPhone 18 Pro's combination of a substantial chip upgrade, extended battery endurance, and smarter AI integration reflects Apple's strategy of delivering meaningful incremental improvements. With the standard iPhone 18 still pending announcement, the lineup's full picture will emerge in the coming months. The device sets a competitive benchmark that rivals will need to match in 2026.
