The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max were officially launched in Malaysia today. What are the highlights and disappointments regarding these new iPhones? Here are 10 notable aspects—both impressive and disappointing—of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
HIGHLIGHTS
1. Smaller Camera Cutout and New Dynamic Island
The Face ID system began with the large notch on the iPhone X screen. Later, with the iPhone 14 Pro, the notch was replaced by a camera cutout and the introduction of the Dynamic Island system. This year, on the iPhone 18 Pro series, the screen cutout is 25% smaller than that of the iPhone 17 Pro because the 3D sensor for Face ID has been relocated beneath the display. Apple is not yet ready to implement Under-Display Camera (UDC) technology on its Pro models, reserving it instead for this year's "iPhone Duo" models.
Consequently, the issue of the camera cutout interfering with gaming and video streaming sessions has been reduced this year. The iPhone 18 Pro series also introduces a more functional Dynamic Island system, capable of simultaneously displaying information from up to three applications.
2. Powerful and Energy-Efficient Apple A20 Pro
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max launched today are powered by the Apple A20 Pro chip, featuring 2nm technology—a first in the history of Apple smartphone chips. It retains a 6-core CPU configuration, comprising two high-power cores and four performance cores for handling standard applications.
This is paired with a 7-core GPU. The result is a 20% increase in CPU performance and up to a 40% boost in GPU performance compared to last year's Apple A19 Pro. Additionally, the A20 Pro is equipped with dual 16-core Neural Engines, doubling the device's artificial intelligence processing capabilities compared to the previous generation of chips. 3. iPhone 18 Pro Camera – Variable Aperture
The wide-angle camera on the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max features a variable aperture for the first time in the lineup's history. While Samsung and Huawei have previously employed this system, it failed to gain widespread traction. Apple’s innovation here lies in the automation of aperture settings for light intake and sensor exposure.
Manual controls are also available for users who are well-versed in the intricacies of camera operation. With the iPhone 18 Pro series, Apple aims once again to place the ultimate smartphone in your hands.
4. Large Battery and Fast Charging up to 60W
Fast charging and large batteries are features rarely associated with Apple products. However, the iPhone 18 Pro series supports charging up to 50% in just 15 minutes when using a 60W charger—marking the fastest charging system ever implemented on an iPhone.
In terms of battery capacity, the iPhone 18 Pro Max houses a 5,391 mAh battery, a significant increase over the 4,823 mAh battery found in the 17 Pro Max. This boost of over 11%, combined with the energy-efficient 2nm chip, delivers up to six hours of additional usage time compared to last year's model.
5. Camera with Enhanced Pro Controls
The introduction of a variable aperture on the wide-angle lens is not the only exclusive new feature for this year's iPhone 18 Pro series. Through the "Pro" settings in the camera app, users can manually adjust the aperture, white balance, and shutter speed, as well as access a live histogram before capturing a shot. With these new Pro features, the iPhone 18 Pro camera offers mobile photography enthusiasts precise and detailed control.
6. Longest and Most Consistent Software Support
An advantage of the iPhone that Android has yet to match is that all iPhone models receive operating system updates and security patches simultaneously across the globe. While Android devices do offer up to seven years of operating system and security patch support, Apple provides security patch support for an even longer period. For those who want to access new features without a long wait, the Apple ecosystem is the safest bet.
7. A Smarter Siri with AI Support Has Finally Arrived
A smarter Siri, powered by Apple Intelligence AI, has finally arrived—delivering on the promises made during the iPhone 16 Pro launch two years ago. The feature had faced multiple delays due to various issues regarding AI models and privacy, as well as Apple's desire to ensure the actual performance matched the marketing claims.
Siri can now better understand context. By leveraging content from the phone and various apps, it provides more precise answers rather than simply offering web links as it did previously. Visual Intelligence is now on par with Google Gemini, capable of understanding what is visible on the screen and through the camera. Siri’s voice also sounds more natural, mimicking a real human conversation.
Various models run directly on the device to ensure privacy. Photo editing capabilities have also been improved, resulting in flawless, artifact-free areas where objects have been erased.
DISAPPOINTING
8. Feature Allowing Two Phones to Share One eSIM Has Not Yet Arrived
iOS 27 introduces an iPhone Handoff feature that allows two iPhones to share a single eSIM. This enables cellular services—including phone calls and internet connectivity—to be used on both phones simultaneously. It is particularly useful for users who do not wish to subscribe to two separate cellular plans.
Following the launch of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo, Apple confirmed that this feature still requires a monthly subscription with a telecommunications provider that supports eSIMs. Currently, the feature is supported only by T-Mobile in the United States and Telekom in Germany. Its arrival in Malaysia remains a mystery; at the time of writing, no local telcos have announced plans to support it.
9. Still No Support for Satellite Emergency Communication Systems
Satellite emergency communication features were introduced with the iPhone 14 four years ago, yet to this day, they remain unavailable in Malaysia or the Southeast Asian region. We have heard numerous reports of this feature saving injured hikers and people lost in the wilderness. At the time of writing, the Emergency SOS feature is available only in the United States, Andorra, Australia, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Germany, Canada, Luxembourg, Mexico, New Zealand, France, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Are users outside North America, Oceania, Europe, and East Asia not important enough to receive this feature?
10. Rising Prices
Due to the RAM crisis, Apple can no longer avoid raising iPhone prices. This year, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at RM5,499 for the 256GB model—the same price point as the iPhone 17 Pro Max with equivalent storage. However, for the 1TB storage option, the price has risen to RM8,499, compared to RM7,499 last year.
As for the 18 Pro Max model, the 1TB version now sells for RM8,999, up from RM7,999 for the iPhone 17 Pro Max. While the starting price remains unchanged, you will have to pay more this year if you opt for the maximum configuration, driven by the global boom in AI data centers. Apple iPhone 18 Pro (12/256GB) – RM 5,499
Apple iPhone 18 Pro (12/512GB) – RM 6,499
Apple iPhone 18 Pro (12/1000GB) – RM 8,499
Apple iPhone 18 Pro (12/2000GB) – RM 11,499
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (12/256GB) – RM 5,999
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (12/512GB) – RM 6,999
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (12/1000GB) – RM 8,999
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (12/2000GB) – RM 11,999
