iPhone 18 Pro Launches with Major Camera Upgrades and High Prices

The long wait is over for Apple devotees as the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max hit shelves today worldwide. Massive lines snaked around Apple Stores in Kuala Lumpur, Sydney, and Singapore before dawn opened. People pushed and shoved just to be first with these new devices. Meanwhile, scalpers lurked outside a shop in Hangzhou, China, buying phones straight from eager buyers.

These flagship handsets boast better battery life, a stronger chip, and a camera system featuring the all-new mechanical aperture. The cost is steep though. Prices start at £1,199 for one model and climb to £1,299 for the larger version. That high price tag did not stop fans from lining up in the early hours of this morning.

Outside appearances remain very similar to the iPhone 17 Pro line. Yet major upgrades hide beneath the surface. Greg Joswiak, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, explained the focus on key areas users care about most: camera quality, performance speed, battery duration, and intelligence features. He stated they did not just make small tweaks but took huge leaps forward to create the best Pro iPhone ever made.

The new phones come in four colors: Black, Silver, a fresh shade called Glacier, and Burgundy. While fans rushed into stores this morning, others are likely waiting for the upcoming iPhone Duo release. The impact on shoppers is clear as government rules or store policies often mean only some can walk out with a device while scalpers profit from the rush. Information about stock levels remains limited and privileged to those inside the line.

And, after a long wait, the new iPhone finally arrives with the upgraded Siri AI originally promised as part of Apple Intelligence. However, at £1,199 and £1,299 respectively, these are Apple's most expensive non-folding smartphones yet. While many fans took to Apple Stores this morning to buy the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, many will likely be waiting to get their hands on the iPhone Duo.

Apple's long-awaited first foldable device features a book-style design, with an inner screen that is wider than it is tall when opened out. Its massive 7.6-inch Super Retina inner display is 80 per cent larger than the 18 Pro, coupled with a 5.4-inch outer display. The iPhone Duo is available in two colours – night sky and star white – and is constructed from titanium.

Thanks to its 'effortlessly smooth' hinge, the tech giant claims its first foldable will be even more durable and should keep annoying screen creasing to a minimum. However, the iPhone Duo features Touch ID for unlocking rather than Face ID, which may come as a disappointment to some fans. Launching the product from the company's Cupertino headquarters, new CEO John Ternus said: 'iPhone Duo is the most transformational change to iPhone since the original.'

Prices range from £1,999 to £3,199 ($1,999 – $3,199 US price) making this Apple's most expensive iPhone ever. The iPhone Duo goes on sale on October 23, so expect to see more queues at Apple stores then.