iPhone 18 Pro Models Introduce Manual Aperture Control

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max now offer manual aperture control for photography. Both models feature a six-blade variable aperture on the main 48MP wide lens, adjustable from f/1.48 to f/4.0 via on-screen dials, removing any photographic reason to choose the larger model.

This generation marks the third in a row where the Pro and Pro Max share identical camera hardware. The system provides DSLR-like control over exposure and depth of field directly on a smartphone. Users can manually adjust aperture, shutter speed, white balance, and focus.

Manual controls and photographic styles

Beyond the variable aperture, the manual control suite is comprehensive. Photographers can tweak every core exposure parameter. The interface uses virtual dials on the screen. Creative profiles are also part of the package, including the stark black and white Photographic Style. Cinematic video recording and other Photographic Styles remain available.

Camera system and zoom capabilities

The triple-camera array is entirely composed of 48-megapixel sensors. This setup provides extensive framing flexibility for both stills and video.

The system supports up to 8x optical-quality zoom and digital zoom up to 40x. Both models include an 18MP Center Stage front-facing camera with a square sensor for subject tracking. The iPhone 18 Pro Max also includes a new digital negative feature.

Design, battery and usability

The core difference between the two models is physical size, which impacts handling and battery life. The Pro Max offers a larger screen and significantly longer endurance, but its size and weight are notable.

The iPhone 18 Pro Max is 38 grams heavier than the Pro. It is also 23 grams heavier than its nearest rival. Some testers found its size cumbersome, with one reviewer noting it made their hand hurt after ten days of use and typically requires two-handed operation. Others prefer the larger screen for viewing and editing photos. The smaller Pro model is often cited as fitting better in the hand and pocket.

Build, durability and ecosystem

Both phones share high-end build materials and controls. They feature Ceramic Shield 2 front glass, an IP68 rating for water resistance up to six meters for 30 minutes, an assignable action button, and a dedicated Camera Control button. However, the manual aperture and shutter speed controls cannot be assigned to this physical button. The Pro Max contains more than 40% recycled material.

Independent repair guide iFixit awarded the iPhone 18 Pro Max a repairability score of seven out of ten. Out-of-warranty screen repairs cost £389, while a battery replacement is £119. Apple states the battery should retain at least 80% capacity for over 1,000 full charge cycles.

The starting price for the iPhone 18 Pro is $1,199 for the 256GB model. The iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299 for the same storage. The price difference between models is approximately $100 per storage tier.

The iPhone 18 Pro is $300 more expensive than the 256GB iPhone 17, which lacks a telephoto lens and variable aperture. The Pro Max offers the longest-lasting battery life of any iPhone ever made in standardized tests.