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iPhone Duo vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: which iPhone should you buy?
By Mike Johnson · Updated Oct 28, 20266 min read
Short answerThe iPhone 18 Pro Max costs $700 less, has a dedicated telephoto camera and Face ID, and weighs almost the same. The iPhone Duo opens to a 7.6-inch screen with Split View and Apple Pencil support. If you'd use the large screen every day, the Duo is the one built for it; if photos and price matter more, the 18 Pro Max is.
The Duo suits you if…You read, write or work on your phone, want two apps side by side, or want to use Apple Pencil.
The 18 Pro Max suits you if…The camera matters most, you prefer Face ID, or you'd rather spend $700 less.
Consider waiting if…Under-display Face ID matters to you: it's been reported in prototypes for next year's Duo, though Apple hasn't confirmed anything (MacRumors).
Side by side
| Spec | iPhone Duo | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|
| Starting price (256 GB) | $1,999 | $1,299 |
| Display | 7.6″ inner, 5.4″ outer | Single display |
| Weight | 254 g | 249 g |
| Thickness | 11.3 mm closed, 5.2 mm open | 8.75 mm |
| Chip | A20 Pro | A20 Pro |
| Rear cameras | 48 MP main, 48 MP ultrawide; 2x optical-quality crop | Main, ultrawide and telephoto |
| Unlock | Touch ID in the side button | Face ID |
| Water and dust | IP68 | IP68 |
| Apple Pencil | Apple Pencil (USB-C), since iOS 27.2 | No |
| SIM | eSIM only, worldwide | eSIM only in some countries |
Sources: Apple; 18 Pro Max price and dimensions via MacRumors (price, dimensions).
What it costs to own
- The phone: $1,999 against $1,299, a $700 difference at 256 GB.
- AppleCare+ for the Duo: $399 upfront, or $19.99 a month (MacRumors).
- Screen repair without AppleCare+: $999 for the Duo's inner display; the outer display is $379.
Where the Duo stands out
The open screen: a 7.6-inch display with Split View for two apps side by side, and Apple Pencil support added in iOS 27.2. Reading, writing and video all benefit from the extra space.
Where the 18 Pro Max stands out
Photography, with a dedicated telephoto camera; Face ID; a thinner single slab; and a lower price. Marques Brownlee also noted a delay with the Duo's side-button fingerprint unlock.
