iPhone Duo: 7 features you’re giving up by not buying the iPhone 18 Pro Max
While the upcoming iPhone Duo brings new utility, the iPhone 18 Pro Max has features I've genuinely come to enjoy and use. Here's what you don't get with the Duo.
The upcoming iPhone Duo, Apple's first foldable device, promises a large 7.6-inch display for multitasking and video consumption. However, its higher price tag of $1,999 versus the $1,299 iPhone 18 Pro Max means buyers must accept some significant compromises. After testing both models, here are seven features you'll be giving up if you choose the iPhone Duo over the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Firstly, the iPhone Duo lacks proper MagSafe compatibility. While it features a magnetic ring, standard-sized MagSafe accessories won't fit flush against the back due to the folding design, resulting in a less seamless experience compared to the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Secondly, the iPhone Duo's camera system does not offer variable aperture control. The A20 Pro chip in the Pro Max series provides true optical versatility, allowing photographers to control aperture for sharp focus or blurred backgrounds. The Duo will rely on digital post-processing and simulated depth maps, limiting creative flexibility.
The Action button on the iPhone 18 Pro Max, which offers customizable shortcuts to frequently used functions, is absent from the Duo. This physical button provides tactile access to utilities like the flashlight, camera presets, and Shortcuts, features that the Duo simply won't have.
The iPhone Duo also lacks dedicated camera control features. While the capacitive button serves as a traditional shutter, its swipe-gesture recognition can lead to inaccuracies in framing and zooming. On the iPhone 18 Pro Max, the Action button provides precise, jitter-free control over camera settings.
In terms of photography workflows, the iPhone Duo sacrifices ProRAW and ProRes capabilities. These advanced settings, available on the iPhone 18 Pro Max, allow for full sensor readout, uncompressed files, and 10-bit color depth for high-quality editing. The Duo is limited to standard HEIF and JPEG photos and heavily compressed video, which may be acceptable for casual sharing but falls short for professional-level editing.
Lastly, Apple Log recording, which preserves maximum dynamic range for enhanced color grading, is not available on the iPhone Duo. This feature, which comes in handy when matching mobile clips to footage shot on professional cameras, is missing from the foldable device. For serious video workflows, the Duo's absence of Log recording makes it a less appealing option.
Written by urgent.news from Tom's Guide's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
