Apple has officially announced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, and Malaysian buyers will not have to wait long to get their hands on the new flagships. The iPhone 18 Pro starts from RM5,499, while the larger iPhone 18 Pro Max starts from RM5,999, with pre-orders opening in Malaysia on Saturday, September 12 and availability beginning Friday, September 18.
Both models are available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB storage capacities, with four finishes to choose from: burgundy, glacier, silver and black. Apple is also offering 0% interest monthly payments for up to 24 months, while Apple Trade In offers between RM700 and RM5,250 in credit for eligible iPhone 13 or newer devices.
Variable aperture finally comes to iPhone
The headline camera upgrade is a new 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture, marking the first time Apple has offered aperture control on an iPhone. Six laser-cut blades allow the camera to transition between apertures, while users can manually select from four aperture settings in the Camera app. Apple says this can improve low-light photography, keep more people sharp in group photos and give photographers greater control over depth of field.
Apple is also introducing Pro controls in the Camera app, providing direct access to settings including aperture, shutter speed and white balance, together with a histogram for monitoring exposure. Video capabilities have been expanded too, including the ability to apply Cinematic effects after capture to footage recorded at up to 60fps, while Time-lapse can now record in 4K Dolby Vision HDR.
Another interesting addition is Apple Reference Image. When shooting in the new Reference mode, signed sensor data is processed through Private Cloud Compute to create an unalterable reference image that can be compared against the finished photo. Together with image metadata and upcoming SynthID support, Apple is positioning the feature as another way to identify whether an image has been edited or generated using AI.
A20 Pro moves to 2nm with much faster graphics and AI
Inside both phones is Apple’s new A20 Pro, manufactured using a 2-nanometre process. It features a 6-core CPU, a new 7-core GPU that Apple says is up to 40% faster than the A19 Pro, 50% more memory bandwidth and a Dual 16-core Neural Engine with 32 cores in total for twice the AI processing capability of its predecessor.
Apple has also redesigned the thermal system. The chip package places the silicon alongside the memory and connects A20 Pro directly to a next-generation vapour chamber with three times more surface area than the previous generation. Apple claims this enables up to 40% better sustained performance compared with the iPhone 17 Pro generation.
Connectivity also gets an upgrade through Apple’s N1 wireless chip with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread, alongside the new C2 cellular modem. Apple says C2 delivers faster upload speeds than C1X while consuming 15% less energy.
Up to 43 hours of video playback on iPhone 18 Pro Max
Battery life is another major focus this year. Apple rates the iPhone 18 Pro for up to 34 hours of video playback, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max reaches up to 43 hours. The iPhone 18 Pro can charge to 50% in around 15 minutes with compatible wired charging, while wireless charging can reach 50% in around 30 minutes under Apple’s stated test conditions.
The displays retain the familiar Pro design but introduce a smaller Dynamic Island capable of showing three Live Activities simultaneously. Both phones ship with iOS 27, which introduces further interface refinements and new Apple Intelligence capabilities.
iPhone 18 Pro Malaysia price and availability
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at RM5,499 and the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at RM5,999 in Malaysia. Both are offered with 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB storage in burgundy, glacier, silver and black.
Malaysian customers can pre-order both models from Saturday, September 12, with general availability beginning Friday, September 18.
Apple’s new TechWoven Case with MagSafe costs RM249, while the Clear Case with MagSafe and Silicone Case with MagSafe are RM209 each. The new Wrist Strap costs RM129 and the Crossbody Strap is priced at RM249.
With variable aperture, significantly upgraded A20 Pro performance and longer battery life, the iPhone 18 Pro generation represents a considerably larger hardware update than a simple annual specification bump. For Malaysian buyers, the RM5,499 starting price also means the iPhone 18 Pro enters at the same starting price Apple previously charged for the iPhone 17 Pro.
