iPhone 18 Pro benchmarks: Apple just built the most powerful phones we've ever seen

tomsguide.com Sep 17, 2026

iPhone 18 Pro benchmarks: Apple just built the most powerful phones we’ve ever seen

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 17, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are powered by the new A20 Pro chipset, built on a 2 nm process that boosts transistor density over last year’s 3 nm A19 Pro. The six‑core CPU features two “super cores” claimed to be 20 % faster, while a seven‑core GPU promises a 40 % graphics uplift and a doubled‑neural‑engine delivers twice the AI throughput. Benchmarking by Tom’s Guide shows the iPhone 18 Pro scoring 4,735 single‑core and 12,800 multi‑core on Geekbench 6, and 4,022 single‑core and 11,543 multi‑core on Geekbench 7; the Pro Max posts slightly higher numbers. Both devices outpace the iPhone 17 Pro line and Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra, which lag behind by roughly 1,000‑1,600 points in multi‑core tests, marking the largest performance leap Apple has recorded in a flagship.

💡 Why It Matters

· The A20 Pro’s 2 nm architecture redefines the performance ceiling for smartphones, giving Apple a decisive edge in raw speed and graphics that rivals can’t match today.

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Give developers time to update apps for iPhone Duo

Apple announced the iPhone Duo, a foldable device, and assured developers that updating apps would be straightforward. However, the company cautioned that some developers may need more time, and not all apps will function optimally immediately. Apple has already engaged partners like Netflix to prepare third‑party apps for launch. The Duo’s secrecy and the need for extensive updates highlight the complexity of adapting software to new form factors.

💡 The rollout underscores how hardware innovation can strain existing software ecosystems, forcing developers to prioritize resource allocation and potentially delaying feature availability for users.

appleinsider.com · Sep 17

Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 reviewers praise health…

Reviewers have begun evaluating Apple’s September‑release wearables, the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, noting notable health‑sensor upgrades and extended battery life. Both models incorporate the new S11 chip, more frequent heart‑rate and HRV measurements, and redesigned health sensors that deliver readings within two beats per minute of chest‑strap monitors. The Series 12 starts at $399, adds features such as Readiness, Sound Recognition, Live Rewind, and Siri Recap—most of which rely on Apple’s contested Audio Intelligence—but many remain untested, and privacy concerns persist. Battery performance improved, with the Series 12 reaching 30‑hour endurance and a 12‑minute charge raising it from 51 % to 79 %, while the Ultra 4 promises up to 50 hours and lasted about three days in testing. Pricing stays unchanged at $399 for the Series 12 and $799 for the Ultra 4, with shipments slated for September 18.

💡 The upgraded sensors and longer battery directly address long‑standing user complaints, positioning Apple’s watches as more reliable health tools without raising costs.

techcrunch.com · Sep 17

Apple will let EU apps use less alarming tracking consent screens

Apple has reached agreements with several European competition authorities to alter its App Tracking Transparency (ATT) prompts for apps distributed in the EU. The changes, prompted by a multi‑year antitrust investigation led by Germany’s regulator, require alternative consent screens that use full‑page layouts, omit the word “track,” and replace button labels with “Allow” and “Reject.” Developers may also add a link to detailed explanations of data use. The revised prompts will apply in Germany, France, Italy, Poland and Romania, and will allow a re‑prompt after one year. Regulators said the original ATT system favored Apple because its own apps could use ecosystem data without a consent screen, while third‑party apps faced stricter requirements. Update seeks to balance privacy and ads.

💡 By softening ATT prompts only in key EU markets, Apple reduces friction for advertisers while preserving its own data advantage, reshaping the privacy‑advertising trade‑off in Europe.

9to5mac.com · Sep 17

Photographer Tyler Stalman reviews the iPhone 18 Pro’s new camera with variable…

Photographer Tyler Stalman reviewed the iPhone 18 Pro, emphasizing its new variable aperture as the flagship camera upgrade. The device also features a 2 nm A20 Pro chip, a vapor‑chamber cooling system, and a reduced Dynamic Island. Stalman notes the wider f/1.48 aperture improves low‑light performance, while the 4× zoom offers a more usable range than the 5× zoom on earlier models. He also highlights updated Cinematic mode, expanded Photographic Styles, Apple Reference Image, and AI‑powered editing tools.

💡 The variable‑aperture system signals Apple’s push toward professional‑grade photography, potentially reshaping mobile imaging standards.

appleinsider.com · Sep 17

Get an iPhone 18 Pro on T-Mobile with any condition trade-in

T‑Mobile is offering a promotion that lets customers pre‑order the new iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max with a trade‑in in any condition. The deal includes up to $1,200 off the Pro Max and grants Magenta Status, which provides ongoing perks and access to T‑Mobile’s fastest network. The iPhone 18 Pro features a vapor‑cooled A20 Pro chip, a 48‑MP Fusion Main camera, and new color options, while the Pro Max offers similar hardware at a higher price point. The promotion is available immediately for new and existing customers who activate a line.

💡 The offer lowers the entry barrier for the latest flagship, potentially accelerating adoption of Apple’s newest hardware and boosting T‑Mobile’s subscriber growth.

9to5mac.com · Sep 17

Tim Cook keeping John Ternus away from controversy by attending White House…

Apple’s executive chairman, Tim Cook, will attend a White House state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping next week, a move that underscores his continued role in government liaison after stepping down as CEO. Cook’s new position retains responsibility for policy engagement worldwide, allowing him to shield successor John Ternus from political controversies. The dinner occurs amid heightened U.S.–China tensions over AI, trade, and geopolitical conflicts, placing Apple’s diplomatic involvement under scrutiny.

💡 By handling official responses, Cook frees Ternus to focus on business, while Apple signals its willingness to navigate complex U.S.–China relations during a critical AI race.