iPhone 18 Pro First Impressions: What Do You Think So Far?

Monday September 28, 2026 12:26 pm PDT by Juli Clover

It's been a little over a week since the iPhone 18 Pro models launched, and we want to hear from MacRumors readers. What do you think of Apple's newest iPhones?

If you upgraded from an older phone, was it worth it? What about upgrading from an iPhone 17 Pro? What problems are you running into? Anything you love so far?

MacRumors readers have already been sharing early opinions on the MacRumors forums, and there are interesting discussion threads to read through. For early reviews and hands-on images, make sure to check out the first impressions and photos thread.

People have been taking excellent photos with the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and sharing results in a dedicated image thread. If you're still thinking about getting the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and want to know how the new variable aperture lens performs, the thread includes useful real-life examples.

Image via MacRumors reader ToddH

Image via MacRumors reader M1mba978

Curious about battery life? There's a whole thread for that with early data. Readers have also shared how heavy the iPhone 18 Pro Max feels in the hand, and we've seen the reasons why some 17 Pro Max owners decided to upgrade to the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

The new iPhones aren't perfect, and a few people have run into heat issues, speaker bugs, and problems with Face ID. Apple just released iOS 27.0.1 with a Face ID fix, so if you're having that bug, let us know if the new software solves it.

For easy navigation, here are all the threads linked above, along with other suggested reading.

• iPhone 18 Pro Max is here! First impressions and photos thread
• Photos taken with iPhone 18 Pro / Pro Max – Worldwide (2026–2027)
• iPhone 18 Series + Duo Battery Mega-Thread
• Did anyone with a 17 Pro Max upgrade to the 18 Pro Max?
• How really heavy is the 18PM?
• iPhone 18 Pro Max speaker issue?
• New 18 Pro - "Face ID not available"?
• 18 Pro Max rebooting
• Extreme heating up on 18 PM
• iPhone 18 Pro TLC vs QLC NAND modules
• iPhone 18 Pro Unlocks - Even If I'm Not Looking Directly at It?

Holding out for the iPhone Duo instead of the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌? You're not alone. Lots of MacRumors readers are discussing Apple's foldable, weighing possible downsides, and mulling where to order for the best chance of getting one at launch.

Popular Stories

Apple Event Live Blog: iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, and More

Wednesday September 9, 2026 9:10 am PDT by Jordan Golson

Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event kicks off today at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, where we're expecting to see the foldable iPhone Duo, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 models, new AirPods 5 earphones, and perhaps some other announcements. Apple is providing a live video stream on its website, on YouTube, and in the company's TV app across various platforms. We...

iPhone 18 Pro Prices Estimated Ahead of September 9 Apple Event

Thursday September 3, 2026 3:41 am PDT by Tim Hardwick

Less than a week before Apple debuts new iPhone 18 Pro models, research firm TrendForce estimated the prices of the devices based on the latest hardware cost environment. TrendForce's price estimates compared to last year's models look like this: Model Starting Price Model Starting Price Change iPhone 17 Pro $1,099 iPhone 18 Pro $1,24...

Apple Event Today: iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo Cheat Sheet

Tuesday September 8, 2026 10:24 am PDT by Tim Hardwick

Apple's biggest event of the year is almost here, and all eyes are on Cupertino. With the first foldable iPhone expected to headline Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event on Wednesday, September 9, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, the rumor mill has been running full throttle, fuelled by the biggest single design change in the life of the iPhone. To get you up to speed, here's a quick reference...