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Apple iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max Review: For Camera Fiends
Confirmed
In Short: Apple's latest pro iPhone models are praised for their photographic capabilities but come with a hefty price tag, making them more suitable for camera enthusiasts than the average user.
All these photographic wonders are perfect for a camera nerd like me, but when you combine that with an $1,199 starting price ($1,299 for the 18 Pro Max), reality starts to come into focus, according to CNET.
Even if the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are aimed more at creative types than at regular folks, that doesn’t change the fact that they are outstanding and powerful phones, as noted by CNET.
I started testing the iPhone 18 Pro Max just over five days ago and, during that time, I’ve only charged it three times, highlighting its battery life, CNET reports.
Apple's latest pro iPhone models are a photography powerhouse, with features like a variable aperture, manual camera controls, and focus tracking that are a camera nerd's dream, CNET states.
Apple made shooting with the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max’s cameras more like using the Fujifilm X100VI camera, according to CNET.
Oh, and the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, thanks to having the widest aperture on any Apple phone, are great for taking photos and videos when it’s dark, CNET adds.
What's confirmed
- All these photographic wonders are perfect for a camera nerd like me, but when you combine that with an $1,199 starting price ($1,299 for the 18 Pro Max), reality starts to come into focus, according to CNET.
- Even if the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are aimed more at creative types than at regular folks, that doesn’t change the fact that they are outstanding and powerful phones, as noted by CNET.
- I started testing the iPhone 18 Pro Max just over five days ago and, during that time, I’ve only charged it three times, highlighting its battery life, CNET reports.
- Apple's latest pro iPhone models are a photography powerhouse, with features like a variable aperture, manual camera controls, and focus tracking that are a camera nerd's dream, CNET states.
- Apple made shooting with the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max’s cameras more like using the Fujifilm X100VI camera, according to CNET.
- Oh, and the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, thanks to having the widest aperture on any Apple phone, are great for taking photos and videos when it’s dark, CNET adds.
What's still developing
- We were shooting the review video outdoors, with the screen at max brightness, and demoing a number of features.
- Article updated on September 16, 2026, 8:18 am EDT I’ve taken some of my favorite iPhone images ever with the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and yet, I don’t think just anyone should buy it.
- They further widen the gap between the pro and non-pro iPhones with even more "pro" features like a camera system that goes far beyond its physical lenses, an A17 Pro chip with performance that's in a class of its own, an Action button that pushes customization to a new level, and a USB-C port that finally makes transferring high-res photos and videos speedy.
- Apple also slimmed down the bezels surrounding the displays and contoured the edges for one of the nicest in-hand designs of any iPhone in years.
- Apple is once again choosing not to reinvent the wheel with the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max.
- There's no foldable display or new gimmick, the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are just really solid tried and true phones.
- Starting at $999 for the iPhone 15 Pro (with 128GB of storage) and $1,199 for the 15 Pro Max (with 256GB of storage), Apple's new iPhones continue to push the limits of bar-style phones.