Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro has captured second place in the global DxOMark camera rankings with a score of 172 points, securing its position as the highest-rated non-Chinese smartphone on the market. Tested by DxOMark benchmarks, the new flagship demonstrates significant generational gains over its predecessor, driven by a 48-megapixel main camera with a new variable aperture and the processing power of the A20 Pro chip.
DxOMark Performance Breakdown for iPhone 18 Pro
The iPhone 18 Pro achieves an overall score of 172 points in DxOMark’s rigorous evaluation, improving upon the iPhone 17 Pro score of 168 points. The device records 171 points for standalone photography, up from the previous generation’s 166 points, and leads the mobile industry in video performance with a score of 176 points. DxOMark evaluators attribute the higher scores to refined exposure handling across diverse lighting conditions, accurate skin tones, natural color reproduction, high detail retention in bright light, wide dynamic range, fast autofocus, and advanced video stabilization.
Hardware upgrades play a central role in the benchmark results. While retaining a 48-megapixel resolution for the main sensor, Apple introduces a variable aperture system. Combined with the A20 Pro processor, the camera hardware executes intensive image computations to preserve detail in challenging low-light environments.
How the iPhone 18 Pro Compares to Global Competitors
Within the global smartphone hierarchy, the iPhone 18 Pro holds the second position overall. It ranks as the top-performing handset available to international consumers with full ecosystem support, standing just behind the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra, which currently leads the DxOMark chart but lacks native Google mobile services support.
| Smartphone Model | DxOMark Score | Photo Score | Video Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huawei Pura 80 Ultra | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| iPhone 18 Pro | 172 | 171 | 176 |
| iPhone 17 Pro | 168 | 166 | Not specified |
Despite strong marks in core categories, DxOMark testers point out specific limitations. The device faces criticism for telephoto performance when shooting distant subjects, alongside minor color shifts and occasional white balance inconsistencies during varied shooting scenarios.
Keep reading