The article discusses the release of the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max by Apple, noting a £200 price increase compared to their predecessors. It highlights improvements such as a more powerful processor using the 2nm process, enhanced battery life with up to 45 hours of video playback for the larger model, and a variable aperture camera system offering better low-light performance. The article also mentions other features like improved Siri functionality and a smaller Dynamic Island cut-out on the screen that allows for three activities to be displayed simultaneously instead of two.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-15,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
The Standard's journalism is supported by our readers.
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journalism → support → readers
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we → purchase → commission
With a £200 price difference between the new iPhone 18 Pro and its predecessor, you might be tempted to upgrade.
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you → tempt → Pro
Here’s how the two devices compare – plus the best deals on the iPhone 17 Pro to shop now.
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devices → ’ → Pro
Both the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max look superficially the same as last year’s Pro models, but come in different colours, along with a powerful new processor.
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Pro → look → processor
The phones are designed with enhanced Apple Intelligence features, including a significantly improved Siri virtual assistant.
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phones → design → assistant
The phones also have a new 48-megapixel main camera which has a variable aperture for the first time on an iPhone, offering greater flexibility in low light and capabilities previously reserved for traditional cameras.
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which → have → cameras
Battery life is also reportedly improved, with the larger of the two models claiming to offer up to 45 hours of video playback.
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larger → improve → playback
Right now, the iPhone 18 Pro is available to pre-order with delivery from Friday 18 September.
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Pro → pre → Friday
Should you buy the Apple iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro?
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you → buy → Pro
The new processor is Apple's first using the 2nm process, which means more transistors can be crammed in.
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transistors → use → process
In turn, this makes for faster performance, even with the demands new Apple Intelligence features will make, and greater efficiency, which directly correlates to the longer battery life mentioned above, which applies to both 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, but has bigger gains on the Pro Max.
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which → make → Max
The new models have a Dynamic Island that’s smaller than the one on the iPhone 17 Pro.
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that → have → Pro
The Dynamic Island is the lozenge-shaped cut-out that houses the front-facing camera and Face ID screen unlock tech.
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that → shape → camera
It cleverly disguises the cut-out by placing notifications around it onscreen.
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It → disguise → it
For instance, if you’re playing music, it can show album artwork.
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it → play → artwork
At the airport, it can show live updates for your flight.
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it → show → flight
The smaller cut-out on the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max means there’s more screen real estate, so on the new phones it can show three activities, rather than the two on the 17 Pro models.
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it → mean → models
Apple also says the new Pro phones have greater thermal efficiency, so the phone won’t get as hot when you’re doing something power-hungry (again, like AI features), in turn benefiting the battery life.
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you → say → life
Finally, one of the biggest changes is to the main camera, which, for the first time, has a variable aperture.
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which → have → aperture
This extra component means the phone can adjust how much light gets to the sensor, helping in low light and giving the user more control overall.
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light → mean → control
This is accompanied by new pro photo controls.
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This → accompany → controls
Some of these will be available on the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, but not the aperture controls as that’s hardware-related.
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that → ’ → Pro
Apple has stopped selling the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max – standard behaviour when the new Pro models are released – so if you want last year’s models, you can’t buy them from Apple.
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you → stop → Apple
Other retailers are where to look for the 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max for now.
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retailers → look → Pro
Apple will return last year’s Pro models to apple.com in refurbished condition, but likely not until next year.
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Apple → return → year
The iPhone 18 Pro is available for £1,199, while the iPhone 17 Pro has been reduced to £999 at most retailers.
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Pro → reduce → retailers
My review of the iPhone 18 Pro is coming, and if camera and battery life are important, you might want to wait for my full verdict.
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you → come → verdict
But with both Pro models looking near-identical with only slight technical differences, the best iPhone 17 Pro deals are well worth paying attention to.
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deals → look → attention
The online retailer has slashed its price on the iPhone 17 Pro to less than £1,000.
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retailer → slash → 1,000
- Currys: The retailer has discounted the 512GB model to £999.
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retailer → discount → 999
Currys is also offering 20 per cent off selected accessories when bought with the phone.
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Currys → offer → phone
- John Lewis: The retailer has also discounted the iPhone 17 down to £999.
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retailer → discount → 999
The Aporia
