Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are now in the hands of creators, giving us a closer look at the new Pro models beyond Apple’s launch presentation. MKBHD, iJustine, Mrwhosetheboss and other major tech creators have already shared footage of the phones in person.
The first videos reveal more about the iPhone 18 Pro’s new camera system, smaller Dynamic Island, updated colors and overall design. They also give a better sense of how Apple’s changes look and feel in everyday use, particularly the new variable-aperture camera and expanded controls built into the Camera app.
MKBHD And iJustine Show The iPhone 18 Pro
MKBHD’s first look puts the iPhone 18 Pro alongside Apple’s new iPhone Duo, making the difference between the two approaches immediately obvious. While the Duo gets most of the attention for its folding design, the 18 Pro remains Apple’s conventional flagship with a much stronger focus on cameras.
The video also gives a closer look at the iPhone 18 Pro’s physical changes. The overall shape remains familiar, but Apple has introduced new finishes and a smaller Dynamic Island while keeping the same general Pro form factor.
iJustine has also shared her first look at the iPhone 18 Pro, giving viewers a closer view of the new Pro design, colors and camera system. Her footage is particularly useful for seeing the phone in hand and getting a better sense of the new finishes under different lighting.
Folded phones and foldables may be getting more attention this year, but the iPhone 18 Pro shows that Apple is still putting significant hardware changes into its traditional flagship design. The new colors are particularly noticeable in person, with glacier and burgundy giving the Pro models a different look from previous generations.
The Camera Is The Biggest Change
The biggest hardware change becomes obvious when the Camera app is opened. The iPhone 18 Pro introduces a 48MP main Fusion camera with a mechanical variable aperture, giving the lens more control over how much light reaches the sensor.
The variable aperture can move between different settings depending on the lighting and shooting conditions. A wider aperture can let in more light, while narrower settings can keep more of a scene in focus.
Apple has also expanded the manual controls available directly in the Camera app. Users can adjust settings such as aperture, shutter speed, white balance and focus without having to rely on a third-party camera app.
The first footage makes these controls one of the most significant changes for people who use the iPhone as a serious camera. Focus peaking also makes it easier to see which parts of a shot are in focus when using manual controls.
Mrwhosetheboss Looks At The Pro Experience
Mrwhosetheboss has also published footage covering the iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. His video gives another look at Apple’s two very different approaches to its premium iPhone lineup this year.
The iPhone 18 Pro does not have the visual transformation of the Duo, but the new camera hardware makes the regular Pro model more interesting than its exterior design suggests. The A20 Pro chip, improved thermal system and larger batteries are also designed to improve sustained performance and battery life.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max keeps the same core upgrades while using a larger display and battery. Both models are positioned as camera-focused flagships, with the Pro Max offering the longest battery life in the lineup.
The Smaller Dynamic Island And New Colors
The Dynamic Island is another change that is easier to appreciate in person than during Apple’s presentation. The cutout is smaller on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, giving the display more uninterrupted space.
The smaller design also leaves more room around the display while retaining the Dynamic Island’s existing functions. Creator footage makes the difference easier to see when the new Pro models are placed next to earlier iPhones.
The new finishes are another area where creator footage helps. Glacier gives the Pro models a cooler appearance, while burgundy adds a darker red option that looks noticeably different depending on the lighting.
The back glass is color-matched to the rest of the phone, giving the Pro models a more unified appearance. The result is still recognizably an iPhone Pro, but the new finishes make this generation easier to distinguish from its predecessors.
More iPhone 18 Pro Videos
The first wave of creator coverage is already giving viewers a better idea of what Apple’s latest Pro iPhones look and feel like outside the launch presentation.
The Tech Chap and Brian Tong have also shared first-look coverage of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, giving viewers additional views of the design, cameras and new finishes.
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299. Preorders begin September 12, with the first devices arriving September 18.
