iPhone 18 Pro Review: All About that Chip

Marques Brownlee · 2026-09-16 · 17 min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohqxP8EEumoVideo summary
The iPhone 18 Pro’s 2nm A20 Pro delivers standout battery life, while its variable-aperture camera adds subtle creative control.
The reviewer calls the iPhone 18 Pro an underrated, expected “tock” update rather than a radical redesign. Its 48MP main camera gains a variable aperture from f/1.48 to f/4, offering more control over depth of field and low-light shots, though the effect is subtle on today’s sensor. The improved Pro camera app adds manual focus, shutter speed, format and white balance controls; the reviewer also asks Apple for 8K video and a Rec. 709 preview for Log recording. The 2nm A20 Pro pairs stronger performance with better efficiency, improved cooling and a doubled Neural Engine, speeding video exports and on-device Siri. Despite a nearly unchanged battery size on the smaller Pro, it lasts about a day and a half, sometimes two; 45W charging can deliver seven hours of playback in five minutes. Other changes include a smaller Dynamic Island, a C2 modem and new colors. The phone is expensive, but its steady refinement has real value.
Chapters
- 0:00Intro: iPhone 18 Pro’s S-year update, contrasted with the iPhone Air and Duo
- 1:21This Camera: f/1.48 variable aperture, granular Pro controls, and MKBHD’s 8K request
- 6:47The Chip: 2-nanometer A20 Pro, 3x vapor chamber, and faster on-device Siri
- 10:20Battery Boost: 18 Pro reaches Pro Max endurance, with EU capacities of 4,056 and 5,391 mAh
- 13:04The Little Things: C2 modem, three new colors, and a smaller Dynamic Island
- 14:22Conclusion: Expected iPhone 18 Pro update led by A20 Pro, with future camera potential
What the full analysis includes
6 chapters · 28 key points · 6 section summaries · mind map
Preview of the first chapter · Intro: iPhone 18 Pro’s S-year update, contrasted with the iPhone Air and Duo
The remaining 25 key points, section summaries and mind map are in the full analysis. Analyze this video to see everything →
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