Patrick O’Rourke/Kerry Wan/ZDNETFor 2026, Apple shook up the usual iPhone landscape by introducing its first foldable. Dubbed the Duo, the device sports a hefty price tag but offers an appealing twist for anyone who wants a compact phone and a mini tablet in one. Not to be outdone, the new iPhone 18 Pro comes with its own strengths, particularly for camera buffs, and is easier on the wallet.
Also: iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 17 Pro: Is Apple’s newest flagship really worth $100 more?
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are already available for pre-order and are due in stores on Friday, September 18. The Duo won’t be up for pre-order until Friday, October 16, with units reaching the shelves the following Friday, October 23. If you need a new iPhone ASAP, you’ll likely want to snag the Pro. If not, then the choice between the two comes down to which features you need and want the most. Here’s the breakdown to help you decide.
You should buy the iPhone 18 Pro (or Pro Max) if…
Kerry Wan/ZDNET1. You want a telephoto lens and advanced camera controls
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max come with three cameras: main, wide-angle, and telephoto. That telephoto lens certainly comes in handy when you need to capture a faraway person, place, or thing. The Duo sports only two cameras: main and wide-angle. For those of you who depend on that telephoto lens, the 18 Pro is the only option.
Also: iPhone 18 Pro hands-on: I came for the Burgundy and stayed for the dual-aperture cameras
The 18 Pro models also provide advanced camera controls not found on any other iPhone, including the Duo. These include aperture control, shutter control, and an exposure histogram. Yes, just like on a professional DSLR. Photo buffs who want to capture the best shots by tinkering with these new settings will need one of the 18 Pro phones to do so.
2. You prefer Face ID over Touch ID
The 18 Pro supports Face ID to help you quickly unlock your phone, authorize payments, and sign in to apps and websites. The Duo does not, forcing you to turn to Touch ID instead. If you find Face ID a simpler and more convenient security method and don’t want to lose it, the 18 Pro is your only option.
3. You want a time-tested device with a solid track record
The iPhone Pro and Pro Max models have a long history as robust and reliable devices. Though foldable phones have been around a while, the Duo is Apple’s first entry into that arena. If you rely on your iPhone personally and professionally, you may feel more comfortable with a traditional yet innovative phone, courtesy of the iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max.
4. You’re jazzed by the new color finishes
The iPhone 18 Pro comes in four colors: Deep Black, Silver, Glacier, and Burgundy. Each one has its own appeal, but they all look great. The iPhone Duo comes in just two colors: Star White and Night Sky. Those finishes look good as well. But if you want an iPhone in a snazzy color that makes a statement, the iPhone 18 Pro is the way to go.
Also: The best iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and Duo cases in 2026: Expert recommended
5. You need a more affordable new iPhone
An iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, while a Pro Max is priced at $100 more. An iPhone Duo starts at $1,999, a hefty $800 or $700 jump. Outfit the phone with more storage, and thanks to RAMageddon, you’ll pay increasingly higher prices. If you can’t afford or don’t want to shell out more than $2,000 for a phone, you’ll want to stick with the more budget-friendly 18 Pro or Pro Max.
You should buy the iPhone Duo if…
Kerry Wan/ZDNET1. You like having two devices in one
A good foldable phone offers the best of two worlds. First, you get a compact device that fits easily in your pocket and can be used with one hand. Second, you get a miniature iPad that is ideal for playing games, watching videos, running multiple apps, and more. Plus, the Duo quickly adapts between folded and unfolded and portrait and landscape, so you can easily segue from one mode to another. If you don’t already have an iPad mini or just want a phone that can lead a dual life, the Duo is the right choice for you.
Also: iPhone Duo hands-on: The $2,000 foldable has some magical touches
2. You crave the Duo’s large, unfolded screen
Even with the 6.9-inch screen on the iPhone 18 Pro Max, some activities aren’t as satisfying or as easy as they would be on a bigger display. Beyond playing games and watching videos, multitasking comes to mind. Here, you can run two apps or display two windows side by side, each one large enough.
Also: iPhone Duo just made foldables mainstream – 5 reasons why there’s no turning back
Typing also promises to be more comfortable on the Duo. With the phone unfolded, the keyboard is wider, making it easier to use two thumbs to type. With the phone partially unfolded, the keyboard is split in half, again more convenient if you’re typing with both thumbs.
3. You want a phone you can use hands-free
You can partially unfold the Duo into tent mode so that one side rests on a flat surface and the other side is visible. As such, you don’t need to carry around a stand or other device to use the phone hands-free. In tent mode, you’re able to shoot stable photos, watch videos, conduct FaceTime calls, and even enlist the phone as a clock when you’re not using it.
4. You’re excited by the Duo’s own camera features
Though it’s missing a telephoto lens and advanced camera controls, the Duo does offer several handy camera features that are lacking in the 18 Pro models.
First up is Smart Take, which can automatically snap a picture of you and others when it detects you’re in the right pose. Just set up the phone on a nearby table or another surface, and the camera will take the photo when you’re ready.
Also: $3,200 for a 2TB iPhone Duo? Let’s compare to Samsung and Google’s flagship foldables
Next, Duo Preview is an ideal way for the subject of a photo to see how they look. With the Duo unfolded, the outer display shows a live preview of the shot to the person you’re capturing. Kid Cue is another helpful camera option. Trying to grab a photo of a child can be challenging. With this feature, animations play on the outer display, drawing the child’s eyes to the lens.
Kerry Wan/ZDNETAnd then there’s Duo FaceTime. Letting other people in the room join a FaceTime call usually means you all have to crowd around the phone or pass it from one person to another. Thanks to this Duo-exclusive feature, other people can join the call via the outer display.
5. You’ve been waiting for a foldable phone for iOS
Maybe you’ve been yearning for a foldable phone for some time. But the models from Samsung, Motorola, Google, and others are all Android devices, and you’re a diehard iPhone user. The Duo is finally your chance to get a foldable yet stay within the Apple ecosystem.
Final thoughts
I already made my preference by opting for the 18 Pro, mostly because I’m not jazzed by foldables, at least not at this point. And the Duo lacks the more advanced camera features I need. Plus, I couldn’t justify spending $2,000 or more on a new phone.
Also: iPhone Duo or 18 Pro? 8 reasons why I’m skipping Apple’s first foldable
Even though I passed on the Duo this year, I certainly will check out the next few generations to see if they prove more tempting. In his latest PowerOn newsletter (subscription required), Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests that Face ID and a telephoto camera may arrive with the third generation of the Duo. He also sees foldables becoming the new normal.
If those and other predictions come true over the next few years, I may decide to open my wallet and splurge for a foldable iPhone. Until then, however, I’ll be quite happy with my 18 Pro.
