Should you upgrade to the iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max?

This just in: the new iPhones are here, and they're Apple's biggest upgrade in years.  

Apple has launched three new phones in Canada: the iPhone Duo, the iPhone 18 Pro Max and the iPhone Pro. Preorders for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max opened on September 12, with the phone itself available September 18. You can preorder the Duo starting September 16 and have the phone in hand by September 23.  

The iPhone Duo has a new look and new ways to navigate the iPhone, including a split-screen option to use multiple apps at once. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max offer camera upgrades like a variable aperture. Both feature better performance (A20 Pro chip), improved battery life, and a rebuilt Siri AI.  

This guide covers what's actually new, which model fits your life, and how to get the most value when you buy. 

Is it worth upgrading your iPhone?

The iPhone Duo is unique, with Apple's first foldable split-screen. The display is larger than any other phone and is an exciting new piece of tech for early adopters. However, it also comes with a significant price tag in Canada—and lacks some features of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.  

As for the 18 Pro and Pro Max, they share nearly everything except their size and battery life. The Pro Max is 6.9 inches with 45 hours of video playback, while the Pro measures 6.3 inches and clocks in at 36 hours.  

On both the Pro and the Pro Max, the camera system, the A20 Pro chip, Siri AI, Apple Intelligence, and the four finishes are identical. 

Everything you need to know about iPhone Duo 

Aside from the obvious—that brand-new dual screen—the iPhone Duo has a few other new features to rave about.  

The Duo has both an inner and outer display, so you can use the phone folded or open. Apple says the display uses nano-texture, a technology that reduces glare and creasing. The Duo comes in two versatile finishes: Night Sky and Star White. 

Some aspects of the Duo are less powerful than the new Pro and Pro Max. While the front camera has fewer megapixels than other models, just 12MP, the Duo has introduced features that make up for it. With an under-display FaceTime camera, you can call friends and family while actually making eye contact. This phone also has a feature called Duo Preview, which lets a photo subject see themselves on the front screen as the picture is taken.  

Other cool features include split-screen use, pinning a video to the top to watch while you use other apps, and flipping the phone to seated or standing mode so you can prop it up hands-free.  

What's actually new in the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max camera? 

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max offer significant camera improvements over previous generations. With variable aperture on the main lens—a first for any iPhone—your shots will work better in low light and bright conditions.  

You can also control the shutter speed, white balance, aperture and a histogram in the Camera app. In addition, the new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max have an 8x zoom reach, giving you more range for concerts, wildlife or candid moments across the room.  

Centre Stage keeps a photo's subjects in the middle of the frame, automatically expanding as more people enter a group photo. Apple Reference Image is another new feature exclusive to Pro models. When you take a photo, your phone creates a signed, unalterable digital original that can be compared against any edited copy.  

Pro video: cinema-quality footage in your pocket 

Video quality also makes a noticeable leap with the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Cinematic mode has been upgraded from previous models, so you can add background blur to any video after the fact. This model also includes 4K Dolby Vision at up to 120 fps and 4K time-lapse with Dolby Vision HDR, meaning videos will be smoother, richer and more colourful.  

Audio Mix music isolation also lets you pull out music or voices as separate tracks. Editing audio on iPhone has never been so easy, making it simpler to use footage from live events.  

How good is the new iPhone's battery? 

Aside from camera quality, battery life is the improvement you'll feel every day. With a new, larger vapour chamber, the battery stays cooler and charges quickly. 

The Pro Max is making the biggest battery leap ever on an iPhone, with up to 45 hours of video playback and 30 hours of typical daily use. For most people, that's two full days between charges. The Pro also offers big gains, with up to 36 hours of video playback, the best battery life available on a 6.3-inch iPhone.  

Both the Pro and Pro Max also charge faster than other models. With a 60W+ adapter, you can boost your phone to 50 per cent in just 15 minutes. On the Pro Max, just five minutes of charging offers seven hours of video playback.  

Are the A20 Pro chip and Siri AI better than before? 

For the Pro, Pro Max and Duo, the engine under the hood has been enhanced, too. Apple's signature A20 Pro chip now has 40 per cent faster sustained performance, which keeps things running under pressure. Using AI features, editing long videos or playing demanding mobile games will no longer phase your phone's processing speed.  

The dual 16-core Neural Engine on all three phones improves your phone's ability to tackle AI tasks like photo editing, live transcription and running Siri AI, all on your phone without having to send your data to the cloud.  

All three models also operate on a brand-new C2 modem, an Apple-designed cellular system that boosts your service while consuming 15 per cent less energy.  

Verdict: Which one is right for you? 

Long story short? Pick the Duo if you want to test the new format, choose the Pro Max if you want longer battery life and a bigger screen, and opt for the Pro if you want the upgrade but need a lighter phone for everyday use. The iPhone 18 Pro is the right choice for most people, being the most economical and pocketable.  

If you have an iPhone 16 Pro or older, the changes will be noticeable. If you already have the iPhone 17 Pro or Pro Max, you may want to skip this upgrade altogether, unless you truly need a better battery or more camera control. 

Ready to upgrade? 

Whichever model fits your life, CAA Members get more out of the deal. Save $25/month or more on exclusive 5G+ mobile plans with Rogers, plus Member pricing on the latest smartphones.  

Need to stay connected at home? CAA Members also save 10% or more on select Rogers internet and internet with TV plans.