iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will be unveiled soon, and rumors point to at least three ways the new models will be even more ‘Pro’ this year.
#1: Exclusive camera upgrades
Cameras have long been an area Apple differentiates its Pro models. That’s proven even more true in recent years, and the trend will continue with iPhone 18 Pro.
Rumors indicate there are two iPhone 18 Pro camera upgrades that will be Pro-exclusive:
- Variable aperture Main camera
- Larger aperture Telephoto camera
I personally hope that variable aperture comes to iPhone Ultra too. But rumors right now point to it being Pro-exclusive—perhaps due to the physical size it will require.
Telephoto will continue being Pro-only this year, absent from iPhone Ultra. And iPhone 18 Pro will have a wider aperture Telephoto for improved low-light performance.
#2: Even better battery life
Battery life has historically been another strength of the Pro line, and all signs point to iPhone 18 Pro extending that lead.
Both iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are rumored to have larger batteries. But the Pro Max especially sounds like it could have truly impressive gains.
A recent leak shows that eSIM versions of iPhone 18 Pro Max might have a 5567mAh battery, a sizable increase over iPhone 17 Pro Max’s 5088mAh.
Physically larger batteries, paired with efficiency gains from the A20 Pro chip and C2 modem, should make for best-ever battery life in this year’s Pro line.
#3: Higher prices
Here’s the not-so-fun way that iPhone 18 Pro could get even more ‘Pro.’
Price increases are near certainties for both of this year’s Pro models. Analysts expect starting prices in these ranges:
- iPhone 18 Pro: $1,299-$1,399
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: $1,399-$1,499
Keep in mind these are starting prices only. And while the base model iPhone 18 and the iPhone Air 2 will likely get higher prices when they arrive, that won’t be until early 2027.
That means iPhone 18 Pro could start several hundred dollars higher than the current iPhone Air, which Apple is expected to keep selling. And it could be almost double the price of iPhone 17.
It’s always possible Apple raises prices on those year-old models too. But whatever happens, the ‘Pro’ price gap is going to sting more than usual this year.
Are you planning to upgrade to iPhone 18 Pro? Let us know in the comments.
Best iPhone accessories
- AirPods Pro 3 (now only $189, down from $249)
- MagSafe Car Mount for iPhone
- 10-year AirTag battery case
- 100W USB-C fast charging power adapter
- AirTag 2 (1-pack / 4-pack)