Consumers in the UAE can begin placing pre-orders for the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max starting at 5:00 AM PT on Saturday, September 12. The devices are scheduled to hit retail shelves on Friday, September 18, with pricing set at Dh5,099 for the Pro model and Dh5,499 for the Pro Max.
Available in burgundy, glacier, silver, and black, both handsets offer storage configurations of 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB. Customers looking to upgrade can utilize the Apple Trade In program, which offers credit ranging from Dh640 to Dh3,260 for those trading in an iPhone 13 or newer model.
The latest iteration introduces a significant hardware milestone: a variable aperture camera. The 48MP Fusion Main camera utilizes six laser-cut blades that shift between aperture settings, allowing users to manually select one of four options to adjust depth of field and lighting. This system is complemented by advanced computational imaging that enhances detail and low-light performance, particularly for group shots where subjects are positioned at varying distances.
For photography enthusiasts, the Camera app now includes professional controls for aperture, white balance, and shutter speed, alongside a histogram for exposure monitoring. Video capabilities have also been expanded, supporting 4K time-lapse with Dolby Vision HDR and updated Audio Mix features that isolate music and clarify voices. Additionally, Apple is introducing a “Reference Image” feature that uses the main sensor to cryptographically sign pixel data, allowing users to verify if an image has been altered via Private Cloud Compute.
Under the hood, the devices are powered by the A20 Pro processor, which is built on a 2-nanometre architecture. This chip features a six-core CPU and a seven-core GPU, delivering up to 40% faster graphics rendering compared to the previous generation. The processor is paired with a redesigned vapour chamber that provides three times the surface area of the iPhone 17 Pro, significantly improving sustained performance.
Battery efficiency has seen a major boost, particularly with the removal of the physical SIM tray in the UAE market, which allows for a larger battery. The iPhone 18 Pro now supports up to 36 hours of video playback, while the Pro Max reaches up to 45 hours. Wired charging is equally fast, with the Pro model reaching a 50% charge in approximately 15 minutes. The devices also feature the new N1 wireless chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support, alongside the C2 cellular modem, which improves upload speeds while reducing energy consumption by 15%.
The user interface has been Both models will ship with iOS 27, which launches on September 14. This update also brings the broader rollout of Apple Intelligence and the beta version of the new AI-powered Siri for English-language users.
The UAE is among several regional markets, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, that will exclusively receive eSIM-only versions of these devices. This technology is currently supported by over 500 carriers globally, including local providers e& and du. The report also notes that video recorded at up to 60 frames per second can have Cinematic effects applied after capture. The report also notes that new tool checks whether photos were altered. The report also notes that apple said image metadata and planned support for the SynthID standard can also help identify images generated or edited using artificial intelligence. The report also notes that or around 30 minutes when charging wirelessly, the iPhone 18 Pro can reach up to 50% charge in around 15 minutes using a wired connection. The report also notes that a Dual 16-core Neural Engine provides 32 total cores and double the AI processing power of the A19 Pro. The report also notes that apple said C2 provides faster uploads than C1X while consuming 15% less energy.