CUPERTINO, California — Apple on Tuesday introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max at its annual autumn event, headlining the new A20 Pro chip and expanded on-device Apple Intelligence features. The company confirmed preorders would open Friday.

The A20 Pro was manufactured on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's 2-nanometre process, delivering faster neural processing for locally run language and image models. This followed Apple's confirmation of a September 9 keynote and a run of supply-chain leaks detailing the Pro models.

Apple's software chief demonstrated updated Siri capabilities and generative photo-editing tools that operate without sending data to the cloud. The presentation extended a broader industry theme visible at Berlin's IFA 2026, where Samsung and Qualcomm promoted on-device AI silicon to reduce reliance on data centres.

Analysts at Counterpoint Research and Wedbush Securities had forecast that camera and processor upgrades would drive an upgrade cycle among older iPhone owners. Apple priced the Pro models in line with the previous generation, according to figures shown during the keynote, a decision watched closely given consumer spending pressures.

The event marked one of the first major product showcases under chief executive John Ternus, who succeeded Tim Cook in late August. Ternus, formerly Apple's hardware engineering leader, opened the keynote and emphasised the company's focus on private, on-device computing.