Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Max arrives with a powerful A20 Pro chip, a larger battery, a 48‑MP camera with periscope zoom, an under‑display Face ID system, and a 6.7‑inch LTPO display exceeding 2,000 nits. Alongside it, Apple previews its first foldable iPhone, offering a flexible OLED that switches between phone and tablet sizes, reshaping the flagship lineup.
New Flagship Era
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max launch together with Apple’s inaugural foldable device. The foldable’s novelty positions the Pro and Pro Max models as the premium, non‑foldable options, drawing attention away from the standard iPhone 18.
Six Upgrades for the Pro Line
- A20 Pro Chip – Delivers a 20‑30% performance boost over the previous generation while improving energy efficiency.
- Immersive 6.7‑inch Pro Max Display – Features a high‑refresh‑rate LTPO panel with peak brightness over 2,000 nits for smoother scrolling and better outdoor visibility.
- Larger Battery Capacity – Approximately 15% larger than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, supporting the power‑hungry display and AI workloads.
- Advanced Camera System – Includes a 48‑MP main sensor and a periscope telephoto lens offering up to 10× optical zoom, plus enhanced computational photography.
- Under‑Display Face ID – Removes the notch entirely, moving facial recognition sensors beneath the screen.
- USB‑C Port with Faster Charging – Supports up to 30 W wired charging and 15 W wireless charging.
A20 Pro Chip Overview
The A20 Pro is built on a 3‑nanometer process, marking Apple’s first use of this node in a consumer device. It features a 6‑core CPU (2 performance, 4 efficiency), a 5‑core GPU, and a Neural Engine capable of 30 trillion operations per second, powering new AI‑driven features such as an enhanced Siri chatbot.
Camera Innovations
The iPhone 18 Pro Max’s 48‑MP sensor uses larger pixels for superior low‑light performance. The periscope telephoto lens provides true 10× optical zoom without the quality loss typical of digital zoom. Combined with an upgraded image signal processor in the A20 Pro, the device delivers richer HDR, improved night mode, and real‑time video stabilization.
Battery and Display Enhancements
The larger battery, paired with the efficiency of the 3‑nm A20 Pro, is projected to extend talk time by up to two hours compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The Pro Max display will employ an LTPO backplane that dynamically adjusts refresh rates from 10 Hz to 120 Hz, balancing smooth interaction with power savings. A slimmer bezel and notch‑free front are enabled by the under‑display Face ID system.
Foldable iPhone Overview
Apple’s first foldable iPhone shares the A20 Pro silicon and features a flexible OLED panel that transitions between a 6.1‑inch phone mode and a 7.6‑inch tablet mode. This new form factor is expected to attract early adopters and premium users, potentially reshaping sales dynamics across the entire iPhone 18 lineup.
Market Implications
If these specifications materialize, Apple will deliver its most powerful iPhone to date, reinforcing a premium pricing strategy. Introducing a foldable device positions Apple to compete directly with established foldable competitors, potentially boosting Q4 revenue through strong pre‑order demand.
What’s Next?
Apple is expected to host a dedicated event in early September to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the first foldable iPhone, with pre‑orders opening later that month. The tech community will be watching closely to see if Apple can deliver on these ambitious upgrades and integrate the foldable form factor into its ecosystem.
