Our solution hinges on splitting the Apple Reference Image process into two phases: creating a secure digital negative, and developing that negative into a reference image. Each phase receives our strongest protections.
[…]
Apple Reference Image provides both a lower bound and an upper bound on capture time from Apple’s cryptographic timestamp service, and we guarantee the photo was taken between the two bounds. On a regular heartbeat, the device requests a cryptographic timestamp token, and retains the most recent one it has received. Globally this happens on average every 15 minutes, though the interval depends on local network conditions. This provides a proven lower bound timestamp for the photographic capture. After capture, the device requests a second timestamp to use as an upper bound, and both timestamps are embedded and signed with the sensor data.
[…]
When the user chooses to create a reference image, the device uploads the digital negative to PCC, which runs the processing steps needed to render the image — including demosaicing, tone mapping, and compression — in a highly secure, private, and verifiable environment. Experts can verify that PCC doesn’t alter a digital negative during development: they can examine the software that does the work.
[…]
Finally, as no security system is perfect, we created a revocation system that can revoke individual photos, as well as all photos from a specific sensor.
[…]
We built Apple Reference Image to avoid using an explicit, public credential for photographers, and to avoid even implicit public association between different photos taken by the same sensor. The final reference image is instead signed by Apple’s signing service, after validation by PCC.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will be available in four elegant finishes: black, silver, glacier, and burgundy.
Average wait times for Apple’s new iPhone 18 Pro models have lengthened to 2.6 weeks across eight countries just three days into pre-orders, a jump that veteran Apple watcher Gene Munster called a historically favorable sign for demand.
Munster, managing partner at Deepwater Asset Management, posted his latest tracker Monday. Lead times rose from 1.6 weeks the day before to 2.6 weeks, matching where last year’s Pro models stood at the same point in the cycle. Part of the one-day surge, he noted, came from buyers returning to their computers after pre-orders opened on Saturday rather than the usual Friday. The more important takeaway, he said, is that wait times are moving higher.
iPhone Lead Time Tracker 3 days into Pre-Orders: We’re seeing average lead times of 2.6 weeks across 8 countries. That’s in line with where the Pro models were last year.
My take: Most importantly, the lead times jumped from 1.6 weeks yesterday to 2.6 weeks today. Part of that jump is people are back in front of their computers (pre-orders started on Saturday). The important part is lead times are going up, which has historically been a favorable sign for demand.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max began September 12. The phones go on sale Friday, September 18. This year’s launch is unusually narrow: Apple skipped the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone Air, delaying those models until 2027 amid memory and chip shortages, and scheduled its first foldable, the iPhone Duo, for pre-order on October 16 and availability October 23. Only the two Pro models are available now, at starting prices of $1,199 and $1,299.
Some configurations, especially popular Pro Max storage and color combinations, already show delivery windows stretching into early October. That tightening inventory is what Munster’s tracker is capturing. Rising lead times have often preceded stronger-than-expected iPhone units in past cycles, which is why he flagged the move as constructive for Apple.
Not every analyst reads the same data the same way. Bank of America and JPMorgan have noted that some year-over-year comparisons look shorter than last year’s iPhone 17 Pro cycle, and GF Securities’ Jeff Pu described initial demand as “lukewarm,” citing limited spec upgrades, higher prices, and buyers who may be waiting for the Duo. Munster’s point is narrower and more sequential: the fact that waits lengthened from one day to the next still matters.
The Duo, starting at $1,999, is expected to siphon some high-end buyers who would otherwise have chosen a Pro Max. How large that substitution effect becomes will only become clear after October 16. For now, Munster’s tracker suggests the phones that are on sale are finding buyers quickly enough to push delivery dates later.
MacDailyNews Take: Munster’s data showing lengthening wait times is meaningful. The other analysts’ looking just at YoY lead times do not have enoguh data to draw any meaningful conclusions.
You cannot measure demand based on shipping times without knowing how much supply Apple has in hand… and where and how those supplies are allocated in each geographic area. – MacDailyNews, September 17, 2024
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
iPhone 18 Pro arrives with Apple concentrating its biggest changes in three areas: camera control, sustained performance, and battery life. The new Pro models retain familiar 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, but introduce a variable-aperture main camera, the 2-nanometer A20 Pro chip, redesigned thermal hardware, and a smaller Dynamic Island.
The lineup consists of iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, starting at $1,199 and $1,299 in the U.S., respectively. Both begin with 256GB of storage and are available in black, silver, glacier, and a new burgundy finish. Preorders opened September 12, with retail availability beginning September 18 in more than 65 countries and regions.
Rather than treating the Pro models as a cosmetic update, Apple has focused on changes that become more noticeable during demanding use, particularly photography, video work, gaming, AI processing, and long sessions away from a charger.
iPhone 18 Pro brings variable aperture to the main camera
The centerpiece is a new 48MP Fusion Main camera with a physical variable aperture, a first for the iPhone.
Six laser-cut aperture blades can adjust the amount of light reaching the sensor while also changing depth of field. The camera supports four aperture settings: ƒ/1.48, ƒ/1.8, ƒ/2.8, and ƒ/4.0.
At the wider end, the camera can gather more light in darker scenes. A narrower aperture can keep more people or background detail in focus, giving photographers another tool beyond computational depth effects and Portrait mode.
Apple also gives users direct access to those settings through new Pro controls in the Camera app. Aperture, shutter speed, and white balance can be adjusted manually, while a histogram provides a more conventional way to monitor exposure.
The feature is paired with a new main-camera sensor and updated computational imaging pipeline. Apple says the combination improves low-light performance and detail, while Photographic Styles gain texture and grain controls for additional control over an image’s appearance.
Video receives several additions as well. Cinematic effects can now be applied after recording to footage captured at up to 60 frames per second, while Time-lapse can record in 4K with Dolby Vision HDR. Audio Mix has also been updated with improved voice processing and the ability to isolate music.
For photographers who want more evidence of how an image originated, Apple is introducing Apple Reference Image. In Reference mode, the main camera signs sensor data, which Private Cloud Compute uses to create an unalterable reference version that can be compared with an edited image in Photos. Apple is also preparing support for the SynthID standard as another way of identifying AI-generated or altered content.
Image Credit: Apple Inc.
iPhone 18 Pro uses A20 Pro and a redesigned vapor chamber
A20 Pro is built using a 2-nanometer manufacturing process and contains a six-core CPU, seven-core GPU, and dual 16-core Neural Engine.
Apple says memory bandwidth is 50% higher than on A19 Pro, while GPU performance can be up to 40% faster. The Neural Engine provides 32 cores in total, doubling the AI processing capability of the previous Pro chip.
The silicon change is closely tied to a redesigned cooling system. Apple has rearranged the chip package so that the silicon die sits beside the memory rather than beneath it in the thermal path, allowing A20 Pro to connect more directly to a next-generation vapor chamber.
That vapor chamber has three times the surface area of the previous generation and uses new materials to move heat away from the processor more effectively. Apple claims the design can deliver up to a 40% gain in sustained performance compared with iPhone 17 Pro.
That distinction is more relevant than peak benchmark numbers for workloads such as extended gaming sessions, video editing, computational photography, and local AI models, where heat can force a phone to reduce performance over time.
Connectivity has also moved further toward Apple-designed silicon. The N1 wireless chip supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, while the new C2 modem succeeds C1X. Apple says C2 uses 15% less energy while offering faster uploads and adds mmWave support in the U.S.
Image Credit: Apple Inc.
iPhone 18 Pro Max reaches 45 hours of video playback
Battery improvements are another major part of the new hardware.
Apple rates eSIM-only versions of iPhone 18 Pro for up to 36 hours of video playback, while iPhone 18 Pro Max reaches as much as 45 hours. Apple says Pro Max receives the largest battery-life increase ever delivered in an iPhone.
Some of that gain comes from using the space previously occupied by a physical SIM tray. In markets receiving eSIM-only models, including the U.S., Canada, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, the larger internal battery provides an additional two hours of rated video playback.
Charging has accelerated as well. iPhone 18 Pro can reach 50% charge in approximately 15 minutes using a supported wired setup, while wireless charging reaches 50% in around 30 minutes. Apple says five minutes of wired charging on iPhone 18 Pro Max can provide roughly seven hours of video playback.
Both devices use aluminum unibody construction with Ceramic Shield 2 on the front and Ceramic Shield on the back. Storage options run from 256GB through 2TB.
The iPhone 18 Pro weighs 211 grams, while iPhone 18 Pro Max weighs 249 grams. Display sizes remain 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, respectively.
Image Credit: Apple Inc.
iOS 27 brings Siri AI and new Apple Intelligence tools
The hardware launches alongside iOS 27, which places Apple Intelligence and the new Siri AI more prominently across the system.
Siri AI can use personal context from information stored across apps, respond to onscreen content, perform actions in supported apps, and handle more open-ended questions. A new Siri mode in Camera lets users ask questions and take action based on objects or information visible through the viewfinder.
Photo tools include Spatial Reframing, Extend, and an upgraded Clean Up feature, while Safari can monitor selected webpages for changes such as a product restock or price adjustment.
The Dynamic Island has also been physically reduced and redesigned. It can display up to three Live Activities simultaneously while continuing to support Face ID.
Apple released iOS 27 on September 14, while Siri AI is rolling out initially as a beta in English, with additional language support planned. iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max reach stores September 18, giving Apple a Pro lineup whose most substantial additions are less about a new exterior shape and more about physical camera control, heat management, and how long the hardware can sustain demanding workloads.
Esteja você de olho nos recém-anunciados iPhones 18 Pro e 18 Pro Max ou no badalado iPhone Duo, é bem provável que já tenha pensado em maneiras de economizar na hora de comprar um desses novos aparelhos. Como sempre, uma das melhores alternativas é optar por fazer isso nos Estados Unidos, com um cartão internacional da Nomad!
Parceira de longa data do MacMagazine, a Nomad está oferecendo 5% de cashback (limitado a US$100) para quem abrir uma conta até 30 de setembro com o cupom MAC26 e converter pelo menos R$3.500 (aproximadamente US$700/600€) — assim, você consegue adquirir seu iPhone novinho em folha com uma economia extra. 💵
Vamos usar como exemplo o iPhone 18 Pro de 256GB, que sai por US$1.200 nos EUA e por R$12.000 no Brasil. No momento da redação desta matéria, a cotação do dólar gira em torno de R$5,14, o que significa que, considerando encargos de 3,5% e uma taxa de serviço de 1,9%, o mais novo flagship da Maçã pode acabar saindo por ~R$6.504 — valor que cai para cerca de R$6.178 com cashback supracitado!
Vendido oficialmente por US$1.300/R$13.000, o iPhone 18 Pro Max pode acabar saindo por apenas ~R$6.693, enquanto o atual queridinho da galera, o iPhone Duo (preço tabelado de US$2.000/R$22.000), tem o potencial de lhe custar algo em torno de R$10.840!
Em outras palavras, caso você esteja planejando trocar de iPhone por agora, uma compra internacional com o cartão da Nomad torna-se uma das melhores opções — principalmente considerando que os preços no varejo nacional continuarão bem altos por um tempo.
Abra sua conta Nomad e ganhe até 5% de cashback!
Como dito, para aproveitar essa oferta, basta abrir sua conta internacional na Nomad até 30 de setembro e converter pelo menos R$3.500.
Para tal, baixe o app da Nomad e cadastre-se usando o código MAC26 no campo “Código de convidado”:
Nesta tela, digite o cupom MAC26 para ganhar 5% de cashback!
Sobre a Nomad
A Nomad foi a primeira a oferecer uma conta em dólar hospedada nos Estados Unidos, sem nenhuma taxa de abertura, anuidade ou manutenção. O cartão da empresa é aceito em mais de 180 países, oferecendo taxas bastante menores que as dos cartões de crédito internacionais.
A conta bancária da Nomad é assegurada em até US$250 mil pelo Community Federal Savings Bank, membro do fundo garantidor dos EUA (FDIC), para cada tipo de conta por titular, e permite que você faça/receba transferências de outras contas da Nomad sem nenhum custo, além de transferências para contas americanas (via Wire Transfer) e outras pagando bem menos do que as taxas cobradas nos EUA.
E não para por aí: com a sua conta Nomad você tem acesso a descontos em lojas parceiras e ainda pode aproveitar o Nomad Lounge, que concede acesso a uma das melhores salas VIP do Terminal 3 do Aeroporto Internacional de Guarulhos (SP).
Só na Nomad você tem uma conta internacional sem taxas mensais de manutenção, além de poder desfrutar de toda a praticidade e segurança que ela oferece!
NOTA DE TRANSPARÊNCIA: O MacMagazine recebe uma pequena comissão sobre vendas concluídas por meio de links deste post, mas você, como consumidor, não paga nada mais pelos produtos/serviços usando os nossos links de afiliado.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will be available in four elegant finishes: black, silver, glacier, and burgundy.
Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max pre-orders open Saturday, September 12 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time. Shoppers who want a faster checkout can finish most of the work tonight.
Apple’s “Get Ready” option is live on the Shop iPhone page and in the Apple Store app. Use it to pick your iPhone 18 Pro model, add accessories, and complete financing or lease pre-approval before the morning rush of pre-orders. Apple is leaving that window open until 9pm PDT / 12am EDT tonight, Friday, September 11th. After that, you’ll still be able to order on Saturday — it will may take longer at checkout.
MacDailyNews Take: If you already know which configuration you want, do your setup now. It’s the simplest way to avoid delays when pre-orders go live. If you’re still deciding, Saturday morning remains the official start, but we highly recommend getting ready ahead of pre-orders going live.
Beloved interns, amass now and Tap That Keg! Prost, everyone!
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
In 12 countries and regions on Apple’s list, iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max arrive with no SIM tray at all, so the first thing the phone asks for when it is unboxed on Friday, September 18 is an eSIM. Apple’s list is Bahrain, Canada, Guam, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, […]
A Apple está a apostar numa nova estratégia de lançamentos, dividindo a família iPhone 18 para gerir melhor a procura e a cadeia de abastecimento. Mas os desafios da crise das memórias refletem-se também nos preços, tanto nos novos modelos Pro e Pro Max como nos que ainda estão disponíveis da gama anterior.
Não foram somente as baterias que aumentaram nos iPhones 18 Pro/18 Pro Max: a Apple também expandiu a velocidade de carregamento dos novos modelos, que agora podem ser recarregados a uma potência de até 60W a partir da entrada USB-C.
Graças a essa melhoria, os novos dispositivos podem ser recarregados do 0 até 50% em apenas 15 minutos (cerca de 33% mais rápido em relação aos 20 minutos necessários na geração anterior), enquanto 5 minutos são suficientes para fornecer até 6 horas de reprodução de vídeo.
Na hora de adquirir carregadores de terceiros, vale checar se os requisitos batem com os exigidos pela Apple para obter esse tempo de recarga nos iPhones 18 Pro — entre eles, é necessário um adaptador de energia de 60W com USB-C Power Delivery 3.1 e que seja compatível com fornecimento de tensão ajustável.
Nesse caso, mesmo o carregador de um MacBook, com maior potência — como um modelo de 96W ou 140W — não ajudariam a obter a velocidade máxima de recarga devido a ausência do suporte às tecnologias supracitadas. Portanto, um carregador com mais potência não garante, por si só, o carregamento mais rápido.
Já para carregamento sem fio, para recarregar do 0 até 50% em 30 minutos, basta utilizar o Carregador MagSafe com um adaptador de energia de 35W — ou outro modelo que forneça essa mesma potência.
Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max pair the faster A20 Pro chip with a variable-aperture Fusion Main camera, a smaller, more capable Dynamic Island, longer battery life, and higher prices, while otherwise changing surprisingly little from last year.
Aos poucos, informações sobre os novos produtos da Apple — que geralmente não são detalhadas pela empresa — vão sendo reveladas. Ontem, por exemplo, comentamos por aqui as capacidades oficiais das baterias dos iPhones 18 Pro/18 Pro Max.
Agora, essas informações abordam as quantidades de RAM1Random access memory, ou memória de acesso aleatório. que os novos dispositivos possuem — não só dos iPhones, mas também dos Apple Watches Series 12 e Ultra 4.
Ainda segundo a reportagem, o Xcode ainda não oferece suporte ao iPhone Duo, mas como o dobrável utiliza o mesmo chip A20 Pro dos iPhones 18 Pro, é provável que ele também possua 12GB de memória.
Eles também confirmaram que os novos Watches têm uma quantidade maior memória do que os seus respectivos antecessores.
Apple Watch Series 12: 4GB
Apple Watch Ultra 4: 4GB
Os Apple Watches Series 11 e Ultra 3, cabe lembrar, possuem 2GB de RAM — portanto, os novos modelos contam com o dobro de memória.
Apesar da grave escassez de chips de memória — que levou a Apple a aumentar os preços de iPhones, iPads, Macs e outros produtos nos últimos meses —, as linhas Series 12 e Ultra 4 mantiveram os mesmos preços iniciais das linhas Series 11 e Ultra 3.
Notas de rodapé
1
Random access memory, ou memória de acesso aleatório.
Resultadospreliminares de benchmark do chip A20 Pro, que alimenta o iPhone 18 Pro, o iPhone 18 Pro Max e o iPhone Duo, surgiram na manhã de hoje no banco de dados do Geekbench 7, oferecendo uma primeira visão do desempenho de CPU1Central processing unit, ou unidade central de processamento. e GPU2Graphics processing unit, ou unidade de processamento gráfico. dos novos modelos antes mesmo de chegarem ao mercado.
Com base nesses resultados iniciais, o chip A20 Pro parece oferecer um desempenho cerca de 21% a 23% mais rápido em single-core (média de 4.722 pontos), além de 27% a 28% mais rápido em multi-core (média de 12.626 pontos) em comparação com o chip A19 Pro dos iPhones 17 Pro/17 Pro Max.
Talvez não surpreenda que os resultados do iPhone 18 Pro Max sejam praticamente iguais aos do iPhone 18 Pro. Uma diferença aparece nas pontuações do teste Metal: o modelo menor marcou 64.069 pontos, enquanto o maior atingiu 64.915 pontos.
Ainda assim, os resultados gráficos alinham-se, em linhas gerais, à afirmação da Apple — presente no comunicado de imprensa e na página do iPhone 18 Pro — de que o A20 Pro oferece uma performance gráfica até 40% mais rápida que o chip A19 Pro.
Também foram vistos resultados de benchmark do iPhone 18 Pro Max no AnTuTu, que registrou uma pontuação geral de 3.551.073. A pontuação da CPU, especificamente, foi de 920.410, enquanto a GPU alcançou 1.397.374 pontos. Os testes de memória e UX registraram 470.245 e 763.044 pontos, respectivamente. Para fins de comparação, o iPhone 17 Pro Max obteve uma média de 2.275.118 pontos, colocando o novo modelo substancialmente à frente no benchmark.
Vale ressaltar que esses testes de desempenho pontuais — que ainda não foram confirmados — não indicam como os dispositivos se comportarão durante sessões prolongadas de jogos ou outras cargas de trabalho exigentes; afinal, os resultados de testes no mundo real poderão apresentar algumas diferenças.
An Apple event can only cover so much. Some of the most useful details turn up in the product pages, technical specifications, footnotes, and summary slides after the presentation ends. We’ve collected our favorite smaller changes from yesterday’s Surprise and Shine event below:
iPhone Duo
In the hands-on area after Apple’s event, Ben Bajarin reported that the Duo’s hinge crease is barely noticeable, except at specific angles.
iJustine has an excellent video showing off multitasking using both the outer and inner screen of the Duo.
Apple has released a six-video playlist on YouTube and in the Apple Developer app called “Get ready for iPhone Duo” to help get designers up to speed with the phone’s new format. The Human Interface Guidelines have been updated too.
The vertical strip along the side of the Duo uses App Control icons for what would be tab bars and nav bars on other devices.
For developers, Apple has released five tech talk videos in the Apple Developer app, including “Raise the bar with iPhone Duo.” Additional materials, workshops, and the Xcode 27.1 beta are coming later this month.
Continuous Angle API lets developers receive ongoing updates about the Duo’s hinge angle to power interactive effects.
Developers who don’t update for the iPhone Duo may have their apps letterboxed.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max
The iPhone 18 Pro supports Adjustable Voltage Supply, which works with Apple’s 40W Dynamic Power Adapter.
The A20 Pro uses Super cores like Apple’s M6 chip and shares its dual Neural Engine architecture.
iPhone Handoff, which lets you move one phone number between two iPhones, changes your Find My location to the receiving phone and can only be turned off with the help of your carrier.
Apple published a study that compares its new Apple Watch Series 12 to other wearables, and the results are impressive.
Your Readiness score changes during the day, adjusting based on workouts and changes in your daytime vitals.
Audio Intelligence requires more than just a new Apple Watch. Features like Live Rewind and Siri Recap won’t work with the iPhone 16e or iPhone 15 Pro models even though those iPhones support Apple Intelligence.
Unsaved Siri Recaps are automatically deleted after seven days, and unless saved, Live Rewind transcripts disappear around 30 seconds after your Watch’s screen dims. Siri Recaps can be edited and exported to other apps like Notes.
Apple has officially introduced the AirPods 5, bringing a notable upgrade to its entry-level wireless earbud lineup without increasing the starting price.
The biggest change is that Apple is no longer offering a separate non-noise-cancelling version. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is now standard on AirPods 5, making this the first generation in the series to include ANC across the lineup.
Prices start at $129, while the version with a wireless charging case costs $149. That means Apple has added a major feature without raising the entry-level price.
AirPods 5 Keep the Familiar Half-In-Ear Design
At first glance, AirPods 5 look largely unchanged from the previous generation. Apple continues to use a semi-in-ear design, rather than switching to silicone ear tips.
This design choice creates an interesting balance. Traditional in-ear earbuds can generally provide stronger passive isolation because their ear tips form a tighter seal, while semi-in-ear earbuds can feel more comfortable during extended listening.
For users who dislike the pressure associated with sealed in-ear headphones, AirPods 5 may therefore offer a more comfortable approach to noise cancellation.
ANC Becomes a Standard Feature
The headline upgrade is active noise cancellation.
Apple says AirPods 5 deliver up to a 50% improvement in noise reduction compared with AirPods 4. Instead of requiring buyers to choose a more expensive noise-cancelling configuration, Apple has made ANC part of the standard AirPods 5 package.
The earbuds also support Adaptive Audio, which can automatically balance Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode according to the surrounding environment.
This makes the AirPods 5 more practical for users who move between quiet indoor spaces, busy streets, public transportation and other changing environments.
Up to 5 Hours of Listening on a Single Charge
With Active Noise Cancellation enabled, AirPods 5 can provide up to five hours of listening time on a single charge.
The charging case extends total listening time to up to 20 hours, giving users several additional charging cycles throughout the day.
While the five-hour figure is not class-leading compared with some larger wireless earbuds, it is reasonable for compact semi-in-ear headphones. The case is also important for users who typically listen in shorter sessions and recharge the earbuds between uses.
IP57 Protection Adds More Durability
AirPods 5 also receive an IP57 rating, giving the earbuds greater protection against dust and water exposure than many basic wireless earbuds.
That additional durability could be useful for everyday activities such as commuting, walking or exercising. However, an IP rating should not be interpreted as making the earbuds suitable for every type of water exposure.
Apple Intelligence Features Expand Their Role
The new AirPods 5 also support several Apple Intelligence-related features, including real-time translation and access to broader knowledge-based functions.
This reflects Apple’s wider strategy of turning its earbuds into more than simple audio accessories. With tighter integration between hardware, software and Apple’s AI features, AirPods can increasingly serve as a hands-free interface for information and communication.
The usefulness of these features will naturally depend on device compatibility, supported languages and Apple’s software ecosystem.
AirPods 5 Price and Availability
Apple is keeping the entry price at $129, despite adding Active Noise Cancellation as a standard feature.
The pricing is:
AirPods 5: $129
AirPods 5 with wireless charging case: $149
The decision to maintain the previous starting price makes ANC the most significant value improvement in this generation.
What Makes AirPods 5 Different?
The AirPods 5 are not a dramatic redesign, but Apple has focused the upgrade on features that can have a noticeable effect on everyday use.
The combination of standard ANC, Adaptive Audio, a comfortable semi-in-ear design, IP57 protection and Apple Intelligence features gives the new earbuds a broader feature set without moving the starting price above $129.
For users who prioritize comfort and want noise cancellation without the tighter fit of traditional in-ear earbuds, AirPods 5 could be one of the more interesting additions to Apple’s audio lineup.
Apple has officially launched the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, bringing a major round of upgrades to its high-end smartphone lineup. The new models focus on four key areas: processing performance, camera flexibility, sustained performance and battery life.
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at 9,999 yuan in China, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max begins at 10,999 yuan. Both models will open for pre-orders at 8 PM on September 12, with sales starting September 18.
Four Colors and a Refined Pro Design
The iPhone 18 Pro series is available in four finishes. Apple retains familiar black and silver options while introducing Glacier Blue and Burgundy Red, giving the new Pro models a more distinctive appearance.
The overall design remains closely related to the previous generation, but Apple has made another change to the front display area. The Dynamic Island has been reduced in size, allowing Apple to maintain its existing interactive features while taking up less screen space.
The iPhone 18 Pro features a 6.3-inch display, while the larger iPhone 18 Pro Max comes with a 6.9-inch screen. This keeps the two models clearly separated by size while maintaining the same general design language.
2nm A20 Pro Chip Brings a Major Performance Upgrade
The biggest change inside the iPhone 18 Pro series is Apple’s new A20 Pro chip, which is built using a 2nm manufacturing process.
The processor uses a six-core CPU configuration consisting of two performance cores and four efficiency cores. Apple says the performance cores can deliver up to a 20% improvement over the previous generation.
Graphics performance also gets a significant upgrade. The A20 Pro moves to a seven-core GPU architecture, with peak GPU performance reportedly increasing by up to 40%.
The chip’s AI capabilities have also been expanded. Apple equips the A20 Pro with two Neural Engine groups containing a combined 32 cores, along with a new generation of neural accelerators. Eight-bit floating-point processing can reach twice the previous speed, while memory bandwidth increases by 50%.
These improvements are particularly relevant as on-device AI becomes a larger part of the smartphone experience. More processing capacity can help Apple handle demanding AI workloads without relying entirely on cloud-based services.
New Vapor Chamber Helps Sustain Performance
Higher peak performance is only useful if a phone can maintain it under sustained workloads. To address this, Apple has added a new vapor chamber cooling system to the iPhone 18 Pro series.
The improved thermal design works alongside the A20 Pro to manage heat during demanding tasks such as gaming, video processing and intensive AI workloads.
Apple says sustained performance is up to 40% higher than the previous generation and can reach roughly double the level of the iPhone 16 Pro series.
That makes thermal management one of the more important changes in the new generation. Instead of focusing solely on short benchmark bursts, Apple appears to be placing greater emphasis on maintaining high performance over longer periods.
iPhone 18 Pro Gets Its First Variable-Aperture Main Camera
Camera hardware is another major highlight of the iPhone 18 Pro series.
The phones feature a 48-megapixel Fusion main camera, but this generation adds something new: a variable aperture.
The lens uses a six-blade aperture mechanism with four selectable aperture levels. This allows the camera to adjust how much light reaches the sensor according to the shooting environment.
In practical terms, variable aperture gives the main camera more flexibility than a fixed-aperture design. It can help balance light intake in darker scenes while also providing greater control in situations such as portraits and backlit photography.
The addition is particularly notable because Apple is bringing a traditionally camera-focused hardware feature to its mainstream Pro smartphone system.
Up to 30 Hours of Battery Life
Battery endurance has also received a substantial upgrade.
The iPhone 18 Pro is rated for up to 24 hours of battery life, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max can reach 30 hours.
Charging has been improved as well. Apple says the new models can reach 50% battery capacity in 15 minutes, giving users a faster way to recover power when they are short on time.
The combination of a more efficient 2nm chip, improved thermal management and increased battery endurance could make the Pro Max particularly attractive to users who prioritize long daily usage.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max China Pricing
Apple is offering both models with four storage configurations in China.
iPhone 18 Pro
256GB: 9,999 yuan
512GB: 11,999 yuan
1TB: 15,499 yuan
2TB: 20,499 yuan
iPhone 18 Pro Max
256GB: 10,999 yuan
512GB: 12,999 yuan
1TB: 16,499 yuan
2TB: 21,499 yuan
Pre-orders will begin at 8 PM on September 12, while the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will officially go on sale on September 18.
What Makes the iPhone 18 Pro Series Different?
The iPhone 18 Pro generation is more than a routine processor refresh. The combination of the 2nm A20 Pro chip, new vapor chamber cooling, variable-aperture main camera and longer battery life gives Apple several hardware upgrades to highlight.
The variable-aperture camera is arguably the most visible photography change, while the new cooling system could have a bigger impact on users who regularly play demanding games or run intensive applications.
At the same time, the 9,999-yuan starting price for the iPhone 18 Pro keeps Apple’s premium Pro lineup firmly in the flagship segment. For buyers considering an upgrade, the most meaningful question may be whether the improved sustained performance, camera flexibility and endurance justify the higher price compared with the previous generation.
Anunciados oficialmente hoje, os iPhones 18 Pro e 18 Pro Max tiveram os detalhes sobre as capacidades das baterias revelados pela Apple nas etiquetas de eficiência energética nas páginas de seus produtos na União Europeia.
O iPhone 18 Pro Max apresentou um aumento na capacidade da bateria muito mais expressivo do que o iPhone 18 Pro, em comparação com a geração anterior. Eis as capacidades dos modelos que ainda possuem bandeja para cartão SIM, segundo a Apple:
Ainda de acordo com a Apple, o iPhone 18 Pro com bandeja para chip físico possui uma autonomia de até 34 horas para reprodução de vídeo, enquanto o iPhone 18 Pro Max pode chegar a até 43 horas. No uso típico, o primeiro atinge até 23 horas, enquanto o segundo pode durar até 29 horas.
Divulgação/Apple
As capacidades de bateria dos iPhones 18 Pro exclusivamente com eSIM ainda não foram confirmadas — mas, também conforme a Apple, essa versão do iPhone 18 Pro possui uma autonomia de até 36 horas para reprodução de vídeo e de até 45 horas no iPhone 18 Pro Max. No uso típico, eles possuem autonomias de até 24 horas e 30 horas, respectivamente.
Nos baseando nos números vazados pelo órgão chinês, muito provavelmente as capacidades dos modelos somente com eSIM serão estas:
Modelo
iPhone 17 Pro
iPhone 18 Pro
Diferença em mAh
Pro (eSIM)
4.252mAh
4.288mAh
+36 (+0,8%)
Pro Max (eSIM)
5.088mAh
5.567mAh
+479 (+9,4%)
Vale notar que a disponibilidade dos modelos somente com eSIM não sofreu alterações, de modo que eles estão disponíveis nas seguintes regiões: Arábia Saudita, Bahrein, Canadá, Catar, Emirados Árabes Unidos, Estados Unidos, Guam, Ilhas Virgens Americanas, Japão, Kuwait, México e Omã. Em todos os outros países (incluindo Brasil e Portugal, é claro), os aparelhos contam com a bandeja para cartão Nano-SIM físico.
Login
! Prost, everyone! 
