Apple’s release cadence for the latest iPhones is unusual. It’ll start with the 18 Pro models, then with the foldable iPhone Duo releasing in October for $1,999. It hasn’t confirmed when its base iPhone 18 model will launch. So this post is focused just on the new the 18 Pro and the 18 Pro Max.
Here’s how the new iPhone 18 Pro stacks up to the last-gen models
Both 18 Pro models cost $100 more than last year’s versions, but come with some hefty camera upgrades.
Both 18 Pro models cost $100 more than last year’s versions, but come with some hefty camera upgrades.
Image: Apple
is an editor covering deals and gaming hardware. He joined in 2018, and after a two-year stint at Polygon, he rejoined The Verge in May 2025.
Both phones are launching on September 18th, with preorders opening Saturday, September 12th. The 6.3-inch iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, which is $100 more than last year’s phone. The 6.9-inch iPhone 18 Pro Max goes up to $1,299, another $100 jump.
With the iPhone 18 Pro being Apple’s 2026 flagship phone, it makes sense to compare it to its two predecessors to see how things have evolved. The biggest differences between the two sizes of this year’s Pro phone are the same as always: the physical dimensions, the battery size, and the size and resolution of the screen. The specs are otherwise identical. But compared to previous Pros, the most meaningful updates come with the cameras, performance, and speed for chewing through AI-related tasks.
By holding off on unveiling its base iPhone 18 until a later date, Apple is making deciding on a new phone this fall a little easier — that is, if you’re someone who typically buys the pricey Pro variant. Whether you’re ready to upgrade or not, we’ve got the specs below to make it simple to compare the specs of the most popular high-end phones of 2026.
iPhone 18 Pro spec comparison
Category | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating system at launch | iOS 18 | iOS 26 | iOS 27 | iOS 27 |
| Apple Intelligence support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Display | 6.3-inch (2622 x 1206) OLED | 6.3-inch (2622 x 1206) OLED | 6.3-inch (2622 x 1206) OLED | 6.9-inch (2868 x 1320) OLED |
| Display refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | 3,000 nits | 3,000 nits | 3,000 nits |
| Minimum brightness | 1 nit | 1 nit | 1 nit | 1 nit |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Glass display | Ceramic Shield | Ceramic Shield 2 | Ceramic Shield 2 | Ceramic Shield 2 |
| Build | Titanium frame | Ceramic Shield back, aluminum unibody | Ceramic Shield back, aluminum unibody | Ceramic Shield back, aluminum unibody |
| Dimensions | 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.25mm | 150.0mm x 71.9mm x 8.75mm | 150.0mm x 71.9mm x 8.75mm | 163.4mm x 78.0mm x 8.75mm |
| Weight | 199 grams | 206 grams | 211 grams | 249 grams |
| Battery capacity | Up to 27 hours of video playback | Up to 33 hours of video playback | Up to 36 hours of video playback | Up to 45 hours of video playback |
| Wireless charging | Yes, MagSafe / Qi2 (up to 22W) | Yes, MagSafe / Qi2 (up to 25W) | Yes, MagSafe / Qi2 (up to 25W) | Yes, MagSafe / Qi2 (up to 25W) |
| Fast charge-capable | Yes; up to 50 percent in 30 minutes | Yes; up to 50 percent in 20 minutes | Yes; up to 50 percent in 15 minutes | Yes; up to 50 percent in 15 minutes |
| Processor | A18 Pro | A19 Pro | A20 Pro | A20 Pro |
| Processor cores | 6-core CPU / 6-core GPU / 16-core neural engine | 6-core CPU / 6-core GPU / 16-core neural engine | 6-core CPU / 7-core GPU / 32-core neural engine | 6-core CPU / 6-core GPU / 32-core neural engine |
| RAM | 8GB | Not shared | Not shared | Not shared |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
| Ports | USB-C charging and data port | USB-C charging and data port | USB-C charging and data port | USB-C charging and data port |
| USB speeds | USB 3 (up to 10Gbps) | USB 3 (up to 10Gbps) | USB 3 (up to 10Gbps) | USB 3 (up to 10Gbps) |
| Rear cameras | 48-megapixel main, 48-megapixel ultrawide, 12-megapixel telephoto | 48-megapixel main, 48-megapixel ultrawide, 48-megapixel telephoto | 48-megapixel main with variable aperture, 48-megapixel ultrawide, 48-megapixel telephoto | 48-megapixel main with variable aperture, 48-megapixel ultrawide, 48-megapixel telephoto |
| Highest optical magnification | 5x | 8x | 8x | 8x |
| Macro mode | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Front camera | 12MP | 18MP | 18MP | 18MP |
| Video recording | Up to 4K at 120fps (ProRes with external recording) | Up to 4K at 120fps (ProRes with external recording) | Up to 4K at 120fps Dolby Vision (ProRes with external recording) | Up to 4K at 120fps Dolby Vision (ProRes with external recording) |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Face ID | Face ID | Face ID |
| SIM support | Dual eSIM (no physical SIM) | Dual eSIM (no physical SIM) | Dual eSIM (no physical SIM) | Dual eSIM (no physical SIM) |
| Action Button | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Camera Control button | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dynamic Island | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Satellite SOS feature | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Messages via satellite | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Crash Detection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Pay | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 |
| Starting price | $999 | $1,099 | $1,199 | $1,299 |
| Availability | September 20th, 2024 | September 19th, 2025 | September 18th, 2026 | September 18th, 2026 |
| Colors | Black titanium, white titanium, natural titanium, desert titanium | Cosmic orange, deep blue, silver | Black, silver, burgundy, glacier | Black, silver, burgundy, glacier |
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Allison Johnson and Jay Peters
