iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max Features Revealed

The latest iPhones from Apple, the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, have flown under the radar since their release, overshadowed by their more attention-grabbing sibling, the iPhone Duo. However, these phones are not without their own unique features.

On paper, the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max boast impressive specs, including a new variable aperture camera feature and manual controls in the Camera app, designed specifically for professional photographers and creatives. But what about the real-world performance of these devices?

A recent teardown by iFixIt revealed that both phones have larger batteries than their predecessors, the 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. This increase in battery capacity is a significant upgrade, especially considering the growing demand for more power-efficient devices.

The new iPhones also run on iOS 27, which includes several behind-the-scenes improvements aimed at reducing power consumption. In an era of rising phone prices, with the 18 Pro starting at $1,199 and the 18 Pro Max at $1,299, it's reassuring to see that these phones are more than just incremental updates.

To put their battery life to the test, CNET conducted a comprehensive evaluation using four different methods: a battery stress test, video streaming battery test, wired charging test, and wireless charging test. These results were then compared with lab data from previous years.

According to our findings, the iPhone 18 Pro Max boasts the longest-lasting battery life of any Apple phone ever made. In contrast, its smaller counterpart, the iPhone 18 Pro, proved to be the fastest-charging device in our tests.

Our testing and review indicate that both phones have earned a CNET Editors' Choice Award due to their exceptional performance.

Our testing and review indicate that both phones have earned a CNET Editors' Choice Award due to their exceptional performance.

When it comes to battery life, our tests reveal some surprising results. We use two benchmarking methods: video streaming and stress tests. These methods allow us to rate the battery performance of each phone accurately. By averaging the scores from both tests, we can determine a final ranking of battery life between charges.

The iPhone 18 Pro Max stands out as the clear winner in terms of battery life, outperforming all other models tested. If you're looking for a phone that can last longer between charges, this is the one to consider. Our data suggests that it has the longest battery life among all the iPhones we've tested.

When comparing new iPhones to older models, we notice significant improvements in battery life with each generation. Upgrading from an iPhone 15 or 16 to an iPhone 17 will give you noticeably longer battery life right out of the box. However, there are several factors that can affect battery performance, including display brightness, carrier signal strength, and usage patterns.

In our 3-hour video streaming test, where we stream a video over Wi-Fi with the screen at full brightness, the iPhone 18 Pro delivered the highest remaining charge. What's impressive is how it outperformed the iPhone 17 Pro in this test, losing less battery life than its predecessor. This improvement is particularly notable given that it occurred within just one year.

The results also show that you don't necessarily need to spend top dollar to get great battery life. The $929 iPhone 17 placed fourth in our test, yet it's still a significant improvement over previous models. This suggests that even budget-conscious buyers can enjoy excellent battery performance without breaking the bank.

The recent release of the iPhone 18 Pro Max has sparked curiosity about its battery performance compared to other models.

In a comprehensive test conducted by our team, the iPhone 18 Pro Max ranked second in a 3-hour streaming video test, showcasing its impressive battery capabilities.

The 45-minute battery stress test revealed some interesting results. The 2024 iPhone 16 Plus emerged as the champion, outperforming all other models including the 18 Pro Max and 17 Pro Max by just a single percent. The standard model iPhone 17 took third place in this test, indicating that it is more than capable of meeting the needs of most users.

A closer look at our results shows that the iPhone 17 Pro Max and 18 Pro Max have remarkably similar battery life, despite the newer model scoring slightly higher in one test.

If you're able to snag a good deal on last year's iPhone 17 Pro Max, it might be worth considering. Apple has stopped selling this model, but it could provide significant savings without sacrificing much performance.

The discovery of improved wired charging capabilities on both new Pro models was another notable finding from our testing. We conducted two charging tests - wired and wireless - to assess recharging performance, with the scores combined for a final ranking. The results suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro is the fastest-charging Apple phone available in the market today.

The results from our charging tests revealed some surprising differences between the new and old models. In a 30-minute wired charging test using the included cable, the iPhone 18 Pro outpaced its predecessor, the iPhone 17 Pro, by an impressive margin.

While the 17 Pro reached a 74% charge increase in this time frame, the 18 Pro surged ahead to 82%, with 53% of battery life restored after just 15 minutes. This represents an 8% gain over last year's model, which is no small improvement.

The key difference here lies in the charging speeds supported by each device. The iPhone 17 Pro tops out at 40-watt fast charging, whereas the 18 Pro supports a more potent 60-watt fast charging. Both models require a wall plug that can handle these higher speeds.

In similar tests, the iPhone 18 Pro Max also showed significant gains over its predecessor, the 17 Pro Max, adding 77% to its battery life in just 30 minutes and reaching 48% after 15 minutes. This is another 8% improvement from last year's model, which gained 69%.

The upcoming iPhone Duo's battery life is expected to be impressive, but for now, we've had limited hands-on experience with the foldable device at Apple's recent event.

In contrast, Apple's current lineup offers a range of battery life options, and the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max stand out as top performers in this regard. However, budget-conscious buyers may find that the standard iPhone 17 provides sufficient battery life without breaking the bank.

The iPhone Air is another slim yet capable device that punches above its weight in terms of battery performance. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17E offers a more affordable option with a battery life that surpasses many older models we've tested.

Apple's current iPhones offer varying levels of battery performance, but for those seeking maximum battery life, the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max remain top choices.

Upgrading to a new iPhone might be worthwhile if your existing device is struggling with poor battery health; replacing the battery can add several years to its lifespan while saving hundreds of dollars.