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| The iPhone 18 Pro is still a strong device for photography enthusiasts. |
Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro has come close to the top of the camera heap — but not quite close enough to knock Huawei off its perch. In DxOMark’s latest camera rankings, the iPhone 18 Pro earned an overall score of 172, placing it second both overall and in the ultra-premium tier for phones priced above $800.
The Huawei Pura 80 Ultra, which has held the No. 1 spot since August 2025, remains three points ahead with a score of 175. That gap is small, but it is enough to keep Apple in chase position.
Low-light photography is the standout
Low-light shooting is one of the iPhone 18 Pro’s strongest talents. DxOMark gave it a low-light score of 150, which it identifies as the highest in its rankings. In difficult lighting, photos show strong detail, accurate exposure and well-controlled noise. The phone also delivers a wide dynamic range and natural contrast, helping images avoid the flat, over-processed look that can affect some rivals.
For a full breakdown of the scores, sub-scores and use-case results, you can check DxOMark’s official iPhone 18 Pro page. The data shows a camera system that is particularly comfortable when the sun goes down.
Video and variable aperture add real appeal
Video is another area where the iPhone 18 Pro performs well. Stabilisation remains effective even when the user is moving, and DxOMark notes that recording at 60fps improves motion rendering. For people who shoot a lot of handheld footage, that should be a meaningful advantage.
Apple has also added a variable aperture to the iPhone 18 Pro. The six-blade physical iris ranges from f/1.48 to f/4.0, and it can help keep more subjects in focus for group portraits while still giving photographers manual control. The rear camera setup uses three 48MP cameras, so there is plenty of hardware to work with.
Telephoto and zoom leave room for rivals
Not everything earns top marks. The iPhone 18 Pro’s telephoto performance remains comparatively weak, with a telephoto score of 143. That trails the 173-point best set by the Oppo Find X9 Ultra, showing that Apple still has work to do at longer focal lengths.
DxOMark also reports occasional colour casts and white-balance shifts, noticeable flare in some conditions, and brightness differences between photo and video previews. Long-range zoom also falls behind several competing flagship phones.
The verdict
Overall, the iPhone 18 Pro’s camera system looks like a low-light and video specialist. It may sit second to Huawei in the overall rankings, but for night photography, stabilised video and flexible aperture control, it makes a strong case. The zoom gap, however, is a clear reminder that rival smartphones still hold an advantage in one important area.