Choosing the right iPhone 18 model comes down to understanding what these devices share and where they differ. The two new Pro handsets are available to preorder from 12 September and ship on 18 September, while the iPhone Duo can be preordered from 16 October ahead of a full release on 23 October.
Before committing, it is worth remembering that you may not need the newest handset. Apple maintains software support for older devices, with the iPhone 11 Pro still receiving updates, and many hardware faults can be resolved with a battery replacement or basic troubleshooting. This year, Apple has raised Pro pricing, so both models cost roughly £75 more than the equivalent iPhone 17 Pro series.
If you are set on upgrading, consider funding the purchase by selling your old device. Back up your iPhone and perform a factory reset before passing it on.
What the iPhone 18 Models Share
All three new handsets run Apple’s A20 Pro chip, described as the company’s most powerful yet. It promises around 20 percent faster performance and 30 percent greater efficiency than the previous generation, alongside a new neural engine for on-device AI and a redesigned thermal system with a larger vapour chamber. On the iPhone Duo, the A20 Pro includes a display engine to manage smooth transitions between its two screens. While Apple does not confirm memory, every model is rumoured to carry 12GB of RAM.
Each device features an OLED Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology, offering an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate that can drop as low as 1Hz to support the always-on display without excessive battery drain. The screens are protected by Ceramic Shield 2, the same scratch-resistant and antireflective covering used on the iPhone 17 range, and can reach up to 3,000 nits of brightness from a minimum of 1 nit. Only the iPhone Duo has a custom nano-texture finish on its interior screen for a matte, glare-reducing look.
Connectivity and Storage Options
Every model carries an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, allowing it to survive a brief submersion in fresh water. All three come in four storage tiers of 256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB, and support Qi2 magnetic wireless charging via MagSafe, USB-C 3.2, Dual SIM, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread and Ultra-Wideband.
The full suite of software features is present across the range, including Apple Intelligence, Siri AI, Emergency SOS via Satellite and Crash Detection. Where the models diverge is in display size and configuration: the iPhone Duo pairs a 5.4-inch outer screen with a 7.6-inch inner display, setting it apart from the single-screen iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
