Apple Unveils Foldable iPhone and New Pro Models

Apple has concluded its September hardware event by revealing a new foldable iPhone, a device that marks the highest price point in the company's history. Alongside this headline announcement, the tech giant introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, which bring substantial improvements to camera controls and battery efficiency. The event also featured the release of the AirPods 5, which finally include active noise cancellation in the base model.

The new foldable device captures the most attention, but the standard Pro lineup offers tangible upgrades for professional users. According to reports from GN technics/hardware (en-US), the iPhone 18 Pro series introduces variable aperture cameras and a new 2-nanometer chip. While the performance gains are notable, the trade-off is a higher entry cost, with the Pro model starting at $1,199 and the Pro Max at $1,299.

Camera controls become more accessible

The most significant change for photographers is the addition of variable apertures on the Pro models. This physical mechanism allows the camera to control light intake more precisely, letting in 50% more light in dark environments compared to previous generations. Apple has also unlocked manual controls for settings like white balance, shutter speed, and aperture that were previously hidden behind third-party apps.

These new tools give users greater creative freedom without requiring external software. The company also introduced a feature called Apple Reference Image, which preserves a digital negative of the original shot. This ensures that even if an image is heavily edited with artificial intelligence later, the unaltered data remains accessible for future adjustments.

Chip performance and thermal management

The iPhone 18 Pro runs on the new A20 Pro chip, built on 2-nanometer technology. Apple claims this processor is 20% faster than its predecessor, with a 40% boost in graphics performance. To handle this increased power, the company has expanded the vapor chamber surface area by three times, which helps manage heat better.

These thermal improvements translate to sustained performance gains of up to 40% over the iPhone 17 Pro. Battery life has also seen meaningful increases, with the Pro Max model offering up to 45 hours of video playback. Charging speeds have improved as well, allowing the phone to reach 50% battery in just 15 minutes with a wired connection.

AirPods gain noise cancellation

The AirPods 5 represent a redesign of the audio hardware, featuring a new multi-port acoustic architecture. The most notable upgrade is the inclusion of Active Noise Cancellation in the base pair, offering 50% more noise reduction than the previous generation. This addition addresses a long-standing gap in the product line, bringing premium features to the standard model.

While the new buds are more durable against sweat and dust, the primary benefit for most users is the improved silence and spatial audio experience. The combination of the new hardware and updated adaptive EQ should result in a clearer sound profile for daily use, making the base AirPods a more competitive option against higher-end competitors.