Kerry Wan/ZDNETOnly a week in the past, I used to be caught in a frenzy. Because the doorways opened to the iPhone demo room after Apple’s Shock and Shine keynote, I couldn’t assist however pause as dozens of journalists and media members rushed to get the very first hands-on photographs of the iPhone Duo. A tool of such aura, as my little cousin would say, calls for consideration.
Additionally: iPhone 18 Professional hands-on: I got here for the Burgundy and stayed for the dual-aperture cameras
So, I went the opposite method and bought my fingers on the also-new iPhone 18 Professional and Professional Max as an alternative. In a market dominated by headlines about value hikes and reminiscence shortages, it’s these acquainted fashions, just like the Professional collection, that will have extra sticking energy with individuals. However will the lots chew?
After a very good hour admiring the brand new design, toying with the improved Siri options, and dialing between totally different apertures, a digital camera functionality Apple has certainly put a very good chunk of its advertising and marketing spend towards, I left with a takeaway I wasn’t anticipating.
For the primary time in a very long time, I’ll be recommending the smaller Professional variant over the Professional Max, and it’s not simply due to the dimensions distinction.
Absolute characteristic parity
Kerry Wan/ZDNETShortly after final week’s keynote, I visited Apple’s Customer Middle simply outdoors the Park. It’s principally the fanciest Apple retailer you’ll ever see, with merchandise and merchandise accessible on one aspect, and a sit-down cafe on the opposite.
Whereas there, I had just a few conversations with guests in regards to the newly introduced iPhones. One factor that actually struck me was the idea that the Professional Max mannequin at all times has the higher digital camera and efficiency. That’s true, if it had been two years in the past.
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At present, apart from variations in display and battery sizes, each the Professional and Professional Max variants are practically an identical in options and capabilities. The triple-camera techniques — with variable aperture performance — are the identical, the telephones’ sturdiness is similar, and the iOS 27 software program they run on is similar.
This yr can be the primary time Apple is providing a 2TB configuration for the smaller Professional mannequin, making it as giant because the Professional Max for content material creators, photographers, and individuals who need extra inside storage.
Ergonomics that make extra sense
Kerry Wan/ZDNETI usually hear about individuals who discover it onerous or awkward to work together with the iPhone’s Digital camera Management and Motion button; guess what iPhone mannequin they’re sometimes utilizing?
With the variety of buttons and keys Apple has added to the iPhone over time, good ergonomics is extra vital than ever. The iPhone 18 Professional, with its 6.3-inch show, looks like the correct dimension to make use of these {hardware} options.
Additionally: iPhone 18 Professional vs iPhone Duo: Methods to determine between the foldable and the flagship
When held one-handed, you’ll be able to nonetheless press and swipe the Digital camera Management to regulate settings on the fly, whereas the iPhone 18 Professional Max will be top-heavy, making one-handed seize a balancing act.
You must also know that the iPhone 18 Professional Max weighs 249 grams this yr, up from final yr’s 233 grams, making it one of many heaviest iPhones so far. That weight’s earlier than you throw on a protecting case.
Let’s not ignore the battery numbers
One specification in the course of the Apple keynote stunned me: the iPhone 18 Professional’s rated battery life. In keeping with Apple, the smaller iPhone mannequin can last as long as 34 hours of video playback (or as much as 36 hours on eSIM-only variants).
Additionally: Contemplating a brand new iPhone? The 17 nonetheless ranks the most effective within the US for battery life in our lab take a look at
Whereas that’s lower than the iPhone 18 Professional Max’s 43 to 45-hour score, it places the iPhone 18 Professional forward of most older Professional Max fashions, together with the 16 and 15. I’ll repeat: this yr’s Professional is a smaller iPhone with the battery lifetime of a Professional Max.
Right here’s an summary of the iPhone’s battery scores over the past 4 generations, in response to Apple.
| Mannequin | Video Playback | Streamed Video | Typical Use Score |
| iPhone 18 Professional Max | As much as 43 hrs (45 hrs eSIM) | As much as 38 hrs | As much as 29 hrs |
| iPhone 18 Professional | As much as 34 hrs (36 hrs eSIM) | As much as 31 hrs | As much as 23 hrs |
| iPhone 17 Professional Max | As much as 39 hrs | As much as 35 hrs | ~26 hrs |
| iPhone 17 Professional | As much as 33 hrs | As much as 30 hrs | ~22 hrs |
| iPhone 16 Professional Max | As much as 33 hrs | As much as 29 hrs | ~22 hrs |
| iPhone 16 Professional | As much as 27 hrs | As much as 22 hrs | ~18 hrs |
| iPhone 15 Professional Max | As much as 29 hrs | As much as 25 hrs | ~19 hrs |
| iPhone 15 Professional | As much as 23 hrs | As much as 20 hrs | ~16 hrs |
Backside line
Whereas additional testing is required to see precisely the place the iPhone 18 Professional and Professional Max stand this yr, I’ve already determined to place my cash down for the smaller mannequin — not solely as a result of it’s higher designed to make the most of the options Apple has to supply, however as a result of it’s now not a tool that feels such as you’re settling.
Based mostly on what I’m seeing with native stock and supply home windows, you would possibly also have a higher likelihood of scoring your required colour and storage tier for the iPhone 18 Professional within the early weeks than the iPhone 18 Professional Max.
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