Introducing the iPhone 18 Pro models. Photo courtesy of Apple Inc.MANILA — Apple Inc. put artificial intelligence in the spotlight alongside a host of hardware and finishes upgrades as it unveiled its latest iPhone 18 Pro models on Wednesday, September 9 (US time).
Apple's new CEO, John Ternus, introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max during its annual September event, dubbed “Surprise and Shine,” at Apple Park in Cupertino, California.
The iPhone 18 Pro lineup ships with iOS 27, which brings Apple Intelligence and an upgraded, AI-powered Siri designed to offer smarter and more personalized experiences.
Apple said it has also developed its most advanced camera system to date for the iPhone 18 Pro, introducing a physical variable aperture mechanism aimed at giving users greater creative control over light and depth of field.
The new 48-megapixel Fusion main camera incorporates six laser-cut polymer blades—each thinner than a human hair—driven by a new rotor mechanism. The aperture automatically widens to f/1.8 in low light, capturing roughly 50 percent more light for faster, higher-quality night shots, or narrows to sharpen background details in group photos.
A suite of manual "Pro Controls" allows photographers to adjust white balance, exposure histograms, shutter speed, and four aperture settings directly.
On-device artificial intelligence powers a new Smart Focus Tracking feature to lock onto moving subjects, while software updates enable retroactive Cinematic Mode effects on regular video at 60 frames per second, 4K Dolby Vision HDR time-lapse, and enhanced texture and grain controls.
The Dynamic Island also received a makeover, although the display sizes remain unchanged from the previous iPhone Pro models.
Under the hood, the new A20 Pro chip will power the device, which Apple said will improve battery life. The iPhone 18 Pro offers up to 36 hours of video playback, while the Pro Max can last up to 45 hours.
The devices also support Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 and are equipped with Apple's new C2 modem.
Both Pro models support faster wired and wireless charging and will be available in black, silver, glacier, and newly introduced burgundy finishes.
There is no official release date yet for the latest iPhone Pro models in the Philippines, but Apple has already posted local pricing on its website.
The iPhone 18 Pro will start at P94,990, while the Pro Max will be priced from P99,990.
The Cupertino event also saw Apple unveil its answer to the growing foldable smartphone market, the iPhone Duo.
READ: Apple unveils foldable smartphone iPhone Duo, price starts at almost P160k