iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: Our first hands-on impressions
News Source
β’2026-09-09T15:26:36-04:00
π° What Happened
The Verge went hands-on with the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max right after Apple's 'Surprise and shine' event. The new phones look very similar to last year's iPhone 17 Pro. They keep the same general design, aluminium body and screen sizes.
The 18 Pro lineup comes in four colours: black, silver, glacier (which is blue) and burgundy. The back glass now matches the body colour, so the phones look more seamless. Journalists shared their first impressions of the feel and finish.
π The Backstory
Apple's September event also introduced the foldable iPhone Duo and new Apple Watches. This year the company is spreading out its releases instead of launching everything at once. The 18 Pro models arrive later this month, with the Duo following in October.
The Pro models cost $100 more than last year's versions. Colours like burgundy and glacier make each generation feel fresh even when the shape barely changes. People who upgrade yearly look for small refinements, like better materials and camera upgrades, to justify the cost.
π― Why It Matters
The Pro iPhone is the camera and computer millions carry every day. Small design changes show where Apple is focusing its effort. They help buyers decide if an upgrade is worth the cost.
The Verge went hands-on with the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max right after Apple's 'Surprise and shine' event. The new phones look very similar to last year's iPhone 17 Pro. They keep the same general design, aluminium body and screen sizes.
The 18 Pro lineup comes in four colours: black, silver, glacier (which is blue) and burgundy. The back glass now matches the body colour, so the phones look more seamless. Journalists shared their first impressions of the feel and finish.
Apple's September event also introduced the foldable iPhone Duo and new Apple Watches. This year the company is spreading out its releases instead of launching everything at once. The 18 Pro models arrive later this month, with the Duo following in October.
The Pro models cost $100 more than last year's versions. Colours like burgundy and glacier make each generation feel fresh even when the shape barely changes. People who upgrade yearly look for small refinements, like better materials and camera upgrades, to justify the cost.
The Pro iPhone is the camera and computer millions carry every day. Small design changes show where Apple is focusing its effort. They help buyers decide if an upgrade is worth the cost.