Overview
- Apple began selling the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max on Sept. 18, with entry prices of €1,449 and €1,599 and immediate carrier bundles such as o2’s unlimited offers.
- Early lab reviews credit the A20 Pro chip and a larger vapor chamber for clear gains in raw speed and stamina, and note a new 48MP main sensor with a variable aperture that gives photographers manual control over depth of field.
- Independent tests show the iPhone 18 Pro improved real‑world runtimes despite a modest battery increase, but reviewers say Apple must outperform high‑end Android rivals, notably the Oppo Find X9 Ultra, on camera imaging to reclaim top test ranks.
- Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 17 family and the Redmi 17 5G have become notable for huge batteries—7,500 mAh to 9,210 mAh—delivering class‑leading runtimes in lab checks while accepting midrange chips, weaker ultra‑wide/zoom optics, no wireless charging, and preinstalled ads.
- The launches sharpen a buyer trade‑off: pay more for Apple’s performance, camera tools and system efficiency, or opt for Xiaomi’s low‑cost, extreme‑endurance phones; expect this split to shape carrier deals, early sales and consumer debate over value.