Last week, Apple hosted its Fall 2026 keynote and launched a few new devices. I shared some of my impressions, which you can check out here.
As usual, I'm sharing my buying suggestions based on the new iPhone lineup. Decision-making is less complex this year, since Apple only launched the iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, with no base iPhone 18.
The iPhone Duo
At a whopping $1,999, the foldable iPhone Duo might seem like the crown jewel of the lineup. However, foldable phones are known to make various compromises to achieve their form factor. Apple is no exception: its first foldable iPhone doesn't have the best features compared to other iPhones. You'll likely have to accept worse cameras, a heavier weight, no Face ID, no Action Button, and some app compatibility issues for the first several months.
So, given all these issues, should you skip it? In my opinion, if you can afford it, you should get it.
Initial production of the iPhone Duo will be limited, and it's expected to sell for more on the used market. So even if you don't like it after a few days of use, you can probably just sell it for more than you paid. Don't forget to add AppleCare as insurance. It would be a great investment opportunity.
Given the almost guaranteed financial return if you end up not liking it, I think you should get it, as long as keeping it (if you like it too much) won't be a financial burden for you.
Foldable phones are here to stay, even though they won't replace regular iPhones for a very long time, so it helps to find out early whether this form factor suits your lifestyle. Not to mention the social currency that comes with being an early owner.
The Regular iPhones
The iPhone 18 Pros
If you've tried the iPhone Duo and decided a foldable isn't for you, you might be interested in the other iPhones. As of today, Apple only sells the following models new, all starting at 256GB of storage except the iPhone 16:
iPhone 18 Pro Max: $1,299
iPhone 18 Pro: $1,199
iPhone Air: $1,099
iPhone 17: $899
iPhone 16: $799 (128GB)
iPhone 17e: $699
In my iPhone 17e buying guide back in March, I expected the iPhone 17 to drop by $100 this September as usual and suggested waiting six months for a cheaper price, but that didn't happen.
Due to rising memory prices, every model actually went up by $100, including the two-year-old iPhone 16 with only 128GB of storage (shouldn't that only go up by, like, $50?). So all things considered, I wouldn't recommend a new iPhone 16 as anyone's first choice. It only makes sense as a used device, if you don't mind around 85% battery health.
With the iPhone 16 out of the picture, here's a quick spec comparison based on Apple's official comparison tool:
Feature | iPhone 18 Pro | iPhone Air | iPhone 17 | iPhone 17e |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Price | $1,199 | $1,099 | $899 | $699 |
Chip | A20 Pro | A19 Pro | A19 | A19 |
Weight | 211 g | 165 g | 177 g | 169 g |
Base Storage | 256GB | 256GB | 256GB | 256GB |
Display Size | 6.3″ | 6.5″ | 6.3″ | 6.1″ |
ProMotion (120Hz) | Yes | Yes | Yes | – |
Durability | Ceramic Shield 2 | Ceramic Shield 2 | Ceramic Shield 2 | Ceramic Shield 2 |
Screen Cutout | Dynamic Island (mini) | Dynamic Island | Dynamic Island | – |
Rear Cameras | Triple 48MP | Single 48MP | Dual 48MP | Single 48MP |
Selfie Camera | 18MP | 18MP | 18MP | 12MP |
Battery Life | 36 hours | 27 hours | 30 hours | 26 hours |
MagSafe | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
UWB (Ultra Wideband) | Yes | Yes | Yes | – |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6 |
Camera Control | Yes | Yes | Yes | – |
This year's iPhone 18 Pro doesn't really introduce anything significantly different from last year's model. It's more like an iPhone 17(s) Pro. The most significant change is the variable aperture, which, judging by the sample photos, makes little difference for 99% of users. The new A20 Pro chip seems more efficient and delivers even longer battery life, which actually has more impact. In other words, compared to last year's Center Stage front camera upgrade on the iPhone 17, there aren't really any new features to get too excited about.
The Non-pro iPhone Experience
In previous years, I've usually provided a self-guided, step-by-step questionnaire, but that's difficult this year. All of these devices guarantee a pretty great baseline experience, with 256GB of base storage and chips that are less than a generation apart (A19 vs A20 Pro). Some of the fancier features on the more premium devices have proven to be gimmicks so far (right, Camera Control?). Choosing a phone now is less about features and more about each model's unique personality.
The iPhone 17e is the budget performance athlete that gets the job done, the iPhone 17 is the Swiss Army knife that's good at everything, the iPhone Air is posh but a bit lacking on the camera front, and the iPhone 18 Pro has all the features but is the heaviest to carry. So instead of a self-guided questionnaire, this year I've created this four-quadrant chart to help you understand the lineup better.
Consumer | Premium | |
|---|---|---|
Better Camera | iPhone 17 | iPhone 18 Pro |
Good Camera | iPhone 17e | iPhone Air |
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Air are both premium models, though they specialize in different areas, Camera & Design. If you don't take a lot of zoomed-in photos and aren't a fan of heavy phones, the iPhone Air is a decent choice that shows off your style. But avid photographers (or frequent travelers) should get the iPhone 18 Pro.
If your budget is on the tighter side, go for the iPhone 17 for a core iPhone experience that isn't inferior to the Pros. Or, if your life doesn't revolve around your digital life, you might just settle for the iPhone 17e as a phone to carry around.
My Personal Choice
Without a budget limit, I'm actually tempted by the new burgundy color, and with a few trips lined up, I think I'll go for the iPhone 18 Pro this year.