Today Apple unveiled three flagship new iPhone models: iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max as well as the foldable iPhone Duo . Here’s an overview of the key differences between each model.
Pricing and availability: Big gaps in both
But overall, Apple is promising strong battery life on both the Duo as well as iPhone 18 Pro. Here are starting prices for 256GB models: iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are available for pre-order this Saturday and ship next Friday, September 18. Meanwhile, iPhone Duo won’t be available for pre-order until October 16, and ships October 23. Let us know in the comments. * Buy iPhone with 15% discount from Apple refurbished
Because iPhone Duo has two displays, its quoted battery life varies depending on which display you’re using. Here are Apple’s quoted numbers: Pricing is another major difference between Apple’s new models. For more Apple event coverage, here’s our dedicated news hub . Which new iPhone model do you plan to buy?
With iPhone 18 Pro, you get a traditional iPhone experience. Here is how each model’s dimensions compare: iPhone Duo might seem more sleek than iPhone 18 Pro Max, but it ultimately weighs slightly more. iPhone Duo has two displays: a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch folding display. Everyone’s use patterns will differ, but if you split the difference between the two iPhone Duo battery estimates, you’re looking at around 38 hours in average video playback. Authentication differs between iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 Pro, with the former using Touch ID and the latter Face ID. iPhone Duo does not have an Action button, but does offer Camera Control. iPhone Duo comes with several multitasking advantages in iOS 27, like the ability to use apps in Split View and have unique landscape views. Finally, design materials differ: iPhone 18 Pro has an aluminum unibody design, while iPhone Duo uses titanium.
It’s the most obvious difference, but should be stated regardless. With iPhone Duo you get a very different form factor: it’s a foldable device. If you’ve never used a foldable, it’s hard to explain the difference in how each model might feel in practice. But generally speaking, with iPhone Duo you get essentially an iPhone and iPad in one device. The displays are unique shapes and sizes compared to a traditional iPhone though, which may take some adjustment. It also has other fun software additions like a partially-folded StandBy mode.
So with the Duo, you can enjoy a “small iPhone” experience while also having the option of a larger inner screen than what iPhone 18 Pro Max can offer. iPhone Duo’s folding display comes with a nano-texture finish, a first in an iPhone.
Cameras: Clear advantage for iPhone 18 Pro
And in this department, iPhone 18 Pro is the clear winner. iPhone 18 Pro has the new 48MP Main camera with variable aperture. iPhone Duo lacks the variable aperture feature, so its Main camera lags behind the Pro line. With iPhone 18 Pro, you also get the Telephoto camera that’s missing from iPhone Duo. Apple Pencil (USB-C model) will be supported on iPhone Duo later this year, another advantage over iPhone 18 Pro. Colors for iPhone 18 Pro are Burgundy, Glacier, Black, and Silver. iPhone Duo only offers two colors: Star White and Night Sky.
Cameras are one of the most important iPhone features.
In terms of software features, each model has its own unique exclusives: iPhone 18 Pro also exclusively supports ProRes video recording up to 4K at 60 fps with external recording, a “studio-quality four-mic array,” Spatial video recording at 1080p at 30 fps, Spatial photos, ProRes RAW, Genlock, and more.
With iPhone 18 Pro, you can choose from the standard 6.3-inch size or 6.9-inch Pro Max model.
