Apple has refreshed its flagship lineup with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, two devices designed to hold their own against increasingly fierce competition. At first glance, the external changes are minimal, but internally there are improvements affecting the camera, performance, and battery life . They are now available for purchase in Spain, with prices starting at €1.469 for the 6,3-inch model and €1.619 for the 6,9-inch model.
The feeling when you pick them up is the same as always: a solid, well-built product with a design that doesn't try to attract attention. Those coming from an iPhone 17 Pro will notice few visual differences, while those upgrading from an older model will perceive a clear evolution. These are the key features of a generation that, without being revolutionary, introduces details that can make a difference in everyday life.
A design that continues the previous style with visible tweaks
The exterior design remains faithful to the previous generation, with a bulky rear camera module and a front that makes good use of space. Aluminum replaces titanium , and Ceramic Shield 2 glass protects the screen. The most noticeable change is the Dynamic Island, which is 25% smaller thanks to some of the Face ID sensors being hidden beneath the panel. It can now display up to three live activities simultaneously, a useful feature for those who frequently check their phones.
The Pro Max's screen remains at 6,9 inches, featuring Super Retina XDR technology, a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 3.000 nits outdoors. The Pro model has a 6,3-inch panel. Color calibration has been adjusted for more accurate tones, although the anti-reflective coating doesn't completely eliminate glare in bright sunlight. Always-On Display and ProMotion function as before, without any surprises.
As for colors, the range includes black, silver, glacial blue, and burgundy. Glacial blue has a finish that changes depending on the light and doesn't show fingerprints, while burgundy, although striking, gets dirty relatively easily . The weight of the Pro Max has increased to 249 grams, which is noticeable if you hold it for a long time, although the weight distribution is balanced.
The internal leap: A20 Pro chip and heat dissipation
The heart of these phones is the A20 Pro chip, manufactured using a 2-nanometer process. It includes a six-core CPU, a seven-core GPU, and a dual Neural Engine with 16 cores each. Apple claims that computing power is double that of the previous year and that memory is 50% larger. In tests like Geekbench 7, the A20 Pro achieves 4.020 points in single-core and 11.449 in multi-core , figures that place it at the top of the market.
Beyond raw power, what's truly noticeable is the heat management. Apple has tripled the size of the vapor chamber and replaced the thermal paste with a solution that improves contact with the chip. The result is more consistent performance: the phone runs cooler than previous generations, even during periods of heavy use or in high ambient temperatures. During demanding games or extended video recording sessions, the temperature remains under control.
Connectivity also advances with Apple's C2 modem, which replaces Qualcomm chips in Europe. In real-world tests, such as high-speed train journeys, antenna management has improved and battery consumption while searching for a signal is lower . The iPhone 18 Pro also includes Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and USB-C with USB 3.0.
The main camera and the variable aperture
The camera system has generated the most headlines. The 48-megapixel Fusion main camera debuts a variable mechanical aperture with four settings: f/1,48, f/1,8, f/2,8, and f/4. This allows for physical control of the amount of light entering the camera and the depth of field , something previously impossible on an iPhone. In practice, this is useful for blurring backgrounds in portraits or ensuring that all subjects in a close-up scene are sharp.
The system is rounded out with a 48-megapixel ultra-wide lens, a 48-megapixel 4x telephoto lens, and 2x and 8x optical crop lenses. The front-facing camera is 18 megapixels and retains the ability to record in both landscape and portrait modes without rotating the phone. Apple has also added a manual mode to the camera app , with controls for aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance, as well as texture filters that mimic the grain of analog film.
The main camera delivers consistent results, with good detail and natural colors. The telephoto lens performs well at 4x and 8x, although digital zoom beyond 20x loses quality and doesn't compete with what some Android phones offer. The ultra-wide lens is an improvement over last year, but it remains the weakest in low light. In video, the iPhone maintains its reputation: 4K recording at 120 fps with Dolby Vision, good stabilization, and autofocus that allows you to track a subject with a double tap.
Battery and autonomy: the section that changes the most
If there's one improvement noticeable from day one, it's the battery. The iPhone 18 Pro Max achieves 45 hours of video playback and 30 hours of talk time, according to Apple, while the Pro gets 36 hours of video playback. In practice, this translates to two days of battery life for the Pro Max with heavy use, and a full day without any issues for the Pro. Fast charging has also taken a step forward: with a 60W charger, you can get a 50% charge in about 15 minutes.
The efficiency of the A20 Pro chip and improved heat dissipation partly explain these figures. Apple claims that MagSafe wireless charging reaches 25W. In everyday use, it feels like you can leave home with less worry about finding a power outlet, even on long days using a camera, browsing, and messaging. Battery life is no longer a limitation for most users.
Prices, versions and availability in Spain
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are now on sale in Spain. The Pro model starts at €1.469 for the 256GB version, while the Pro Max starts at €1.619. Both share the same processor and camera system, so the differences lie in screen size and battery life . Storage goes up to 2TB, and all versions have 12GB of RAM.
Initial demand appears healthy. According to JP Morgan data, wait times for the iPhone 18 Pro remain around 23 days, while the Pro Max is around 29 days. In Europe, the trend is in line with the previous generation. In physical stores, some Pro variants are available for pickup , except for the burgundy color, while the Pro Max is still not available for immediate pickup.
Apple Intelligence and other limitations in Europe
The software comes with iOS 27 pre-installed, which provides a smoother experience and some artificial intelligence features. However, in the European Union, Apple Intelligence remains very limited. Features like Magic Eraser, image zoom, and reframing are available, but the new Siri is not yet available in Spain due to regulatory reasons. The full version of Siri AI is expected to launch in iOS 27.1 in mid-October, but only outside the EU.
Other tools, such as Final Cut Camera, have been updated to take advantage of the iPhone 18 Pro's variable aperture, with professional options like clean SDI output and Genlock compensation. These features are geared toward content creators who want to get the most out of the phone's video capabilities. For the average user, the experience remains stable and smooth.
With all this in mind, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max present themselves as a continuation of the previous model, but an effective one. They don't reinvent the wheel, but they improve key aspects such as the camera, battery, and thermal management. Those upgrading from a model three or four years old will notice a significant leap; those with an iPhone 17 Pro might not find urgent reasons to change. In Spain, the initial outlay is high, but the device offers solid performance and battery life that, finally, puts the issue of charging at ease.