This is the English edition of a review from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets from my home studio in Japan, so product links go to Amazon Japan.
Quick take
I picked up an iPhone 18 Pro (256 GB) in the new Glacier colour from an Apple Store, along with Apple’s Silicone Case in Crisp Blue and the new Wrist Strap. Glacier looks noticeably more premium in person than in Apple’s web photos. The design is almost identical to the 17 Pro series; the changes you notice in use are the smaller Dynamic Island and the main camera’s variable aperture.
What I tested
- iPhone 18 Pro, 256 GB, Glacier
- Apple Silicone Case with MagSafe, Crisp Blue
- Apple Wrist Strap (¥4,980)
- Other Apple cases I looked at in the Apple Store
What I found
- The matte aluminium and pale blue look classy in person. On the Pro size it works well; on the Pro Max the large flat back looked a bit plain to me, so I chose Burgundy for my Pro Max — which also looks better in person than I expected.
- In the box: a USB-C cable and a note saying no SIM card is needed. It is eSIM-only, so there is no SIM tool.
- The shape, top design and Camera Control size match the 17 Pro series. It feels like a smaller version of my 17 Pro Max.
- The Crisp Blue Silicone Case suits Glacier well; I chose it over the TechWoven case for that reason.
- The Wrist Strap is ¥4,980, about half the price of the crossbody strap (over ¥10,000). It threads through the case and pulls off easily, yet held firm. On a phone this size I’m not sure I need it — for the money, the crossbody strap may be more useful.
- In the store: the matte black case looked good, TechWoven came in Burgundy and Mulberry, and the Silicone Case in black and a navy-like colour. The clear case has a large white MagSafe circle in the middle, which I didn’t love.
- The Dynamic Island is smaller (the Pro Max has the same smaller size), giving the Pro a bit more usable screen. The main camera now has a variable aperture.
Who it’s for
If you’re choosing an iPhone 18 Pro colour and wondering whether a pale shade will look cheap, Glacier is worth seeing in person. If you’re upgrading from a 17 Pro for the design alone, there isn’t much new on the outside.
Watch the review
The video is in Japanese; YouTube can show auto-generated captions. Useful chapters: 01:05 unboxing and colour, 02:02 what’s in the box and 17 Pro comparison, 03:14 Silicone Case, 04:14 Wrist Strap, 06:40 aperture and Apple Store cases, 08:59 Dynamic Island and final thoughts.
Limitations
This is an unboxing and first impressions — no battery, performance or camera tests. Store photos are of display cases in Japan. Prices are Japanese prices at the time of recording.
Products
Apple iPhone 18 Pro 256 GB, Glacier: on Amazon Japan
Apple Silicone Case with MagSafe, Crisp Blue: on Amazon Japan (check the listing is for your model)
Apple Wrist Strap, Crisp Blue: on Amazon Japan
The Amazon Japan links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.
More reviews in English
