iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 Pro: Why I’m not ordering a new iPhone for the first time in years

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For many years, it’s been the same for me: Every two years, a new iPhone arrives at my home. In 2026, it would have been time again. And for the first time, I say: No, thank you.

The 16 Pro Max: better than expected

Currently, I am using the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Back then, I felt that the upgrade wasn’t really worth it. In hindsight, I have to say: It was worth it. The 16 Pro Max is, in my opinion, a truly great iPhone.

A year later, the 17 Pro Max arrived in Cosmic Orange, the epitome of the iPhone for filmmakers. Of all the iPhones from recent years, this orange one has captivated me the most. With the further improved cameras and better zoom: it would have been the all-round package. If it had fit into my two-year cycle, I would have probably bought it. But it didn’t.

The Keynote 2026: iPhone 18 Pro

This year, the big keynote, the first under the new CEO John Ternus. I found it amusing that Tim Cook briefly appeared in the promotional video at the beginning. There is already speculation about whether the glasses he was wearing are Apple’s next product.

I found the iPhone 18 Pro to be rather unremarkable. New processor, partially improved cameras, larger battery, variable aperture. To be honest, I’m out when it comes to the variable aperture. And the colors didn’t impress me either.

What I really miss about my 16 Pro Max is the Vapor Chamber. While I’m not constantly on the go in hot countries, it can still add up to four weeks a year, and the phone overheats incredibly quickly during that time. I would also like the better zoom. But that’s about it.

Thank you, Apple: iOS 27 saves my battery

With iOS 26, my battery had noticeably worsened, which I had already mentioned here.

Since the update to iOS 27, my 16 Pro Max lasts a whole day again. Thank goodness. Apple has obviously made improvements here and is making older devices faster again.

To save battery, I have only completely reduced the transparency. I intentionally left the animations on because otherwise, iOS just looks too ugly to me. After two years, my iPhone looks like new and still has 92% battery capacity.

The Prices: I’ve Reached the End

I always pay for my iPhone in a one-time payment, not through the plan. My first iPhone cost around €200. Then €400, then €600, and finally about €1,400.

The iPhone 18 Pro Max now starts at €1,599, while its predecessor was priced at €1,449. Over two years, that amounts to about €67 per month, just for the device.

I’m not on board with that for a smartphone anymore. Sure, the technology is getting better. Sure, the chip and memory crisis is driving up costs. But if you look at the last few years, first Samsung, then Apple: better and more expensive, better and more expensive. With this “more expensive,” in my opinion, they often just tested what the market could bear. I’m sure that Apple could have easily absorbed the current increase.

Better and more expensive, better and more expensive. With this “more expensive,” it was often just a matter of trying out what the market has to offer.

For comparison: My MacBook Air M4 cost around €1,000. A perfect device with great battery life, a workhorse for on the go. My main computer is now a Mac mini M4, which I upgraded to 2 TB myself. It replaces my Intel i7 with RTX 3090, as every degree in the office mattered during the summer. This computer cost about €600, and I earn my money with it.

I would rather invest in good hardware than in a smartphone for €1,600, the price of the 18 Pro Max. Or even €2,300. Because that’s how much the other new iPhone costs.

The iPhone Duo: exciting, but not for €2,299

I had been waiting a bit for the brand new iPhone. The name is a bit strange, and no one knows why it’s not called “iFold.” It immediately reminded me of the Surface Duo. I would have loved to buy it back then, but it never really took off in Germany. Microsoft had some really exciting concepts with the Surface Duo and Surface Neo many years ago.

Apple has likely done many things better than the competition. The hinge is said to work with 3D-printed parts that are laser-scanned and use AI to compensate for irregularities. The 7.6-inch inner display features a nano-texture finish, making the crease barely visible. However, I have read that the matte display also has its drawbacks.

However, the downsides weigh heavily for me:

Regarding the camera under the display: The quality is probably not bad, but it’s also not good, as display pixels are covering it. Other manufacturers are already moving away from this. And when making calls, the wide, folded device looks quite bizarre.

I use my foldable 70% of the time folded.

A well-known tech YouTuber

This means: 70% of the time you have the inferior phone in hand. And when you see the unfolded Duo next to a Pro Max, it’s not that much bigger. Especially with 16:9 movies, there’s not much left of the large display.

The duo can be pre-ordered starting October 16, with deliveries beginning on October 23. Prices start at €2,299 for 256 GB, and for 2 TB it’s €3,799. With all due respect: The price may be justifiable for the technology, but not for me for a smartphone. With that money, I’d rather buy a vacation or technology that I can benefit from in the long run, such as hardware or camera accessories.

Is the smartphone story over?

I believe that smartphones, as we know them, have reached the end of their development. Super displays, super cameras, super processors, scratch-resistant cases. My older iPhones showed significantly more signs of wear after two years.

Sure, I would like more storage. But I pay €10 a month for iCloud, share it with my family, and save it on the device price. 256 GB is enough for me. Of course, I would love to have two days of battery life. At first, the 16 Pro Max easily lasted a day and a half. But do you really notice a difference when switching, other than the battery being fresh again?

Do you really notice anything when switching, apart from the fact that the battery is fresh again?

Apple, the Keynotes, and Me

I used to sit in front of the TV with popcorn. Then came the pre-recorded keynotes: initially a bit awkward, then increasingly professional, and eventually so sterile and perfect that I lost interest in watching. This time, it felt a bit more natural again. But maybe that’s just an illusion because the new features don’t excite me as much anymore.

That is certainly also due to the fact that I am well-equipped: Apple Watch Ultra, Mac mini, MacBook Air, iPad, iPhone, Apple TV. Still, I don’t see myself as an Apple devotee. I use what works and sometimes switch back to Windows. Because of the Finder, I am even a bit more productive there.

I once read that the Vision Pro was a financial flop. However, if you multiply the estimated sales figures by the price, you end up with a billion-dollar revenue for an absolute niche product. I was honestly amazed. Whether that covers the development costs, only Apple knows. But Apple has grown so large that it can easily afford such bets. If a product doesn’t establish itself, it is quietly discontinued or improved. There have also been new versions of the Vision, and some product lines simply need more time until the technology is ready.

And the AI?

AI is currently transforming our work environment completely. The new Siri, however, is not coming to iOS in the EU. So once again, we are missing out. After the last big announcement, where nothing happened, I find this almost amusing. It is high time that operating systems, both mobile and desktop, finally tap into the potential of AI.

Conclusion

Technical Specifications Comparison: iPhone 16, 17, and 18 Pro Max

Bold = Difference from the predecessor.

iPhone Duo: all details

iPhone Duo Prices in Germany