Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max introduce a manual variable aperture system, according to ABMedia’s summary of a new hands-on video from tech creator The Tech Chap. The feature is presented as one of the main hardware changes in the new Pro lineup, with the review focusing on better low-light shooting and more convincing shallow depth-of-field results. The report also says the phones are slightly heavier and more expensive, but still positioned as top-tier flagships because of broader upgrades across silicon and thermal design.
A20 Pro chip and larger cooling system
The iPhone 18 Pro series is said to run on Apple’s new 2 nm A20 Pro chip. ABMedia says the chip architecture has been optimized for high-performance computing, professional video editing, and deep neural network workloads tied to Apple Intelligence. To keep performance stable under sustained heavy use, Apple also added a liquid-cooled vapor chamber system with an area three times larger than the previous generation. The report says that design is meant to reduce overheating and thermal throttling.
Connectivity is another part of the update. The new C2 communications chip is described as improving mobile network efficiency and power use. ABMedia says that gain helps the smaller iPhone 18 Pro deliver battery life comparable to the previous iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Manual aperture control from f/1.48 to f/4.0
The camera system now allows manual aperture adjustment between f/1.48 and f/4.0. In the review, that range is framed as a major step for mobile photography because it gives users direct optical control rather than relying only on software simulation.
At f/1.48, the report says light intake can rise by as much as 50% compared with the previous fixed-aperture setup. That is expected to improve image quality in dim scenes and create a more professional-looking shallow depth-of-field effect with stronger background blur. At f/4.0, the aperture can be stopped down for bright environments, widening the depth of field and keeping more of the frame in focus.
Dynamic Island and Apple Intelligence changes
ABMedia also points to several software-facing updates. Dynamic Island is said to be 25% smaller and able to show three Live Activities at the same time. The report links that interface change with deeper Siri AI integration at the system level, describing it as part of a broader push to improve day-to-day interaction efficiency.
Apple Intelligence features are also included in the upgrade discussion. The article mentions writing and image-generation tools as part of the experience available on the new devices.
Price rises to $1,199, upgrade value depends on current model
On pricing, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, which is $100 higher than before, according to the report. ABMedia says users already on an iPhone 17 Pro may find the upgrade more incremental, since the overall visual language and everyday experience do not change dramatically.
The picture looks different for people still using an iPhone 14 or an older device. In that group, the report says the 2 nm chip performance, the variable-aperture optical system, and Apple Intelligence tools for writing and image generation amount to a more noticeable generational jump. ABMedia adds that those users may want to weigh carrier trade-in offers when planning an upgrade.
Key points listed in the report
- Hardware: the lineup uses a 2 nm A20 Pro chip and a new C2 communications chip, with cooling area expanded to three times the previous generation.
- Battery: the smaller iPhone 18 Pro is described as matching the battery life level of the previous iPhone 17 Pro Max.
- Optics: the main camera supports manual variable aperture from f/1.48 to f/4.0, with up to 50% more light in low-light shooting.
- Interface: Dynamic Island is 25% smaller and supports three simultaneous Live Activities, with deeper ties to Siri AI and Apple Intelligence.
- Price: iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, up $100 from the prior generation.