The wait for Apple’s latest gear is over. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max hit retail stores today, September 18, alongside the Apple Watch Series 12 and AirPods 5. The first preorder deliveries also begin reaching customers.
If you skipped preordering, now’s the time to check your local store’s pickup options.
iPhone 18 Pro brings better cameras and a higher starting price
Photo: Apple
Apple opened iPhone 18 Pro preorders on September 12, a few days after unveiling the phones.
Both models launch today in more than 65 countries and regions, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and India. Another 20 markets follow on September 25.
The iPhone 18 Pro brings notable internal upgrades over flashy design changes. There’s a new 48MP main camera with a variable-aperture lens. It also features a wider f/1.48 lens for better low-light performance.
A faster and more efficient A20 Pro chip is paired with a bigger vapor chamber cooling system. This helps deliver better performance and cooler temperatures.
A smaller Dynamic Island allows room for up to three Live Activities at once.
Another major upgrade on the new iPhones is longer battery life. Apple says the iPhone 18 Pro Max packs the biggest battery ever in an iPhone and lasts longer than ever before.
Unfortunately, all these upgrades come at a higher starting price. The iPhone 18 Pro costs $1,199 for 256GB, while the Pro Max starts at $1,299. Both come in black, silver, glacier and burgundy, with storage options topping out at 2TB.
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Apple Watch Series 12 focuses on health tracking
Photo: Apple
The Apple Watch Series 12 pairs a new S11 chip with Apple’s redesigned Health Sensing System. A more efficient and larger optical heart rate sensor allows for more frequent heart rate and heart rate variability measurements. This powers a new readiness score, giving you an indication of how prepared your body is for the day ahead.
Ceramic casing also makes a comeback in pearl white and night blue finishes. It sits alongside the aluminum and titanium options.
Apple Watch Series 12 uses Ceramic Shield 2 cover glass, which Apple says is 60% tougher than the previous Ion-X glass.
Audio Intelligence, one of the main features of the Apple Watch Series 12, will only arrive later this year.
The Series 12 comes in 42mm and 46mm sizes, with prices starting at $399.
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 also launches today. It features the same outer casing as its predecessor but gets a faster new S11 chip and other health upgrades as seen on the Series 12.
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AirPods 5 make noise cancellation more affordable
With AirPods 5, Apple brings active noise cancellation to its $129 earbuds. Both versions now include ANC.
Apple says they remove up to 50% more external noise than AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. The earbuds retain an open-ear design and gain an updated acoustic architecture and Adaptive EQ. When paired with a compatible device, they also support Live Translation.
AirPods 5 come in two variants. Paying $149 gets you the version with a wireless charging case. It also delivers longer battery life and features on-stem volume controls.
If you could not get your iPhone, AirPods or Apple Watch preorder in early, you can get your hands on them today from your nearest local Apple Store.
iPhone Duo arrives in October
If it’s the iPhone Duo, Apple’s first foldable iPhone, you’re excited about, you’ll have to wait a little longer. The iPhone Duo goes up for preorder on October 16 and hits retail stores a week later, on October 23.
