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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →On iPhone 18 Pro, 4K at 120 frames per second is not available across every video mode. Apple lists standard Dolby Vision recording at up to 4K/120 on the Fusion Main camera, but Cinematic tops out at 4K/60, spatial video at 1080p/30, and ProRes reaches 4K/120 only when recording to compatible external storage. These are separate mode limits, not settings that can all be combined in one clip.
How the four recording modes differ
| Mode | Apple-listed maximum | What that means |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Dolby Vision | 4K at 24, 25, 30, 60, 100, or 120 fps; 100 and 120 fps are listed for the Fusion Main camera | The headline 4K/120 option is a standard Dolby Vision recording mode tied to the Fusion Main camera at the highest frame rates. Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro specifications list the available rates. |
| Cinematic | Up to 4K Dolby Vision at 60 fps | Cinematic does not reach 4K/120. Apple’s specifications list a separate ceiling for this mode. |
| Spatial video | 1080p at 30 fps | Spatial video is listed at 1080p/30, not 4K. See Apple’s video specifications. |
| ProRes | Up to 4K at 120 fps with external recording | The 4K/120 ProRes ceiling depends on compatible external storage; it is not an internal-storage-only option. Apple states the condition in its ProRes recording guide. |
Apple lists the same video specification rows for iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The published video ceilings therefore do not distinguish the two sizes. Apple’s specifications are the source for these listed limits.
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How to record 4K/120 on iPhone 18 Pro
For standard video
Select the standard Video mode and use the Fusion Main camera for the 100 or 120 fps options. Apple’s settings guide also lists 4K/120 among the available Slo-mo settings on supported models. Menu wording and placement can change with iOS updates, so use the current Camera settings on your device if a label differs. Apple’s iPhone camera settings guide covers video and Slo-mo settings.
For ProRes
- Connect compatible external storage to the iPhone using USB-C before recording.
- Open Settings > Camera > Formats, enable ProRes, and configure Pro Video Storage on iPhone 18 Pro models, as described by Apple Support.
- In Camera, select ProRes and set the available recording format and frame rate. The 4K/120 ProRes option requires the compatible external recording device to remain connected.
Apple lists USB-C with USB 3 transfer speeds up to 10 Gb/s for these iPhone models. That makes a USB-C portable SSD a relevant category for external recording, but it does not establish compatibility for every drive. Verify a specific storage device’s compatibility before relying on it for a shoot. Apple’s specifications list the USB-C capability, and its ProRes guide describes the external-storage condition.
#1 Best Overall
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Can you record 4K/120 in Cinematic or ProRes without an SSD?
No single answer applies to both modes. Cinematic is listed up to 4K/60, so it does not offer 4K/120. ProRes can reach 4K/120, but only with compatible external storage connected. Apple Support explicitly says iPhone 18 Pro models can record 4K at 120 fps when connected to a compatible external storage device. Apple Support’s ProRes guide gives that condition; it does not mean every USB-C drive is supported.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What independent testing does—and does not—confirm
The published iPhone 18 Pro specifications establish the listed frame-rate ceilings. Tom’s Guide reports testing video at 4K/30 HDR, but its cited review passage does not document hands-on 4K/120 testing. Treat 4K/120 here as an Apple-listed capability, not an independently verified test result. Tom’s Guide’s iPhone 18 Pro review describes the testing it reports.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Rank #2
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
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