The Apple Event was last week, and during it we got quite a few upgraded devices including the iPhone Duo, which everyone is talking about. Socials were flooded with comments on hands-on videos where the lucky tech influencers are sharing their initial impressions of the device. I'm sure the Duo will come up in future discussions here too, but for now I want to focus on the non-foldable iPhone. Yes, that's right, Apple announced the iPhone upgrade we were all expecting in the form of the iPhone 18 Pro.
My initial impressions were that the colours are stunning, however the overall phone looks much like my current phone, and that’s what I’m going to talk about today.
Last September, I upgraded to the iPhone 17 Pro Max in the orange colour that some love, and others hate. My iPhone comes everywhere with me, and I rely on it not only for using social media and contacting people, but I also rely on it for managing my websites including emails, post content and more.
After a full year of using the phone in everyday life, here’s what stands out for me - and my view on whether it’s worth upgrading to the iPhone 18 Pro models.
1. Build Quality & Durability
My phone is still in really good nick, but I must admit I always have a case on it. I remember when this phone was released, there were some reports online of the case chipping but due to my quality case, I haven’t experienced this. Shout out to Blanc Space, a company that provides fantastic quality iPhone cases at reasonable prices.
Screen & Glass: One thing I haven’t used is a screen protector because I’m not a fan of how they feel, but my screen has held up really well. There’s maybe minor scratches if you hold it under the light, but nothing I notice daily. I am conscious when I put my phone in my pocket though - I always make sure it’s in a pocket on its own, and make sure I don’t put it in with my keys. So there isn’t any distinctive screen damage, showing that it’s well made. I’ve even dropped my phone a few times and it’s been fine, phew!
Buttons & Haptics: The Action Button and Camera Control remain tactile and clicky with no real signs of wear and tear. Admittedly I never use the button that lets you zoom in and out with the camera app. I forget it’s there sometimes. Oops!
Ergonomics: I have the Pro Max model, so the phone is large, but honestly I couldn’t switch back to a smaller phone now. You really do settle into it after the initial shock of how huge it feels at first. I think initially it can feel like your hand is straining to hold it, but after a month or so, it’s absolutely fine.
2. Battery Health & Heating Up
This is usually where long-term reviews fall apart, but the 17 Pro Max has been surprisingly resilient.
Battery Capacity: After a full year of daily charge cycles, mostly via a really long wire because that’s my preference over MagSafe, battery health is sitting at 98%. My phone easily lasts a day, but I do need to charge it in the evenings. I think a lot of this is down to the fact that I scroll TikTok in bed.
Heat: The updated thermal dissipation in the 17 series solved the uncomfortable warmth that plagued earlier models during video export or extended camera use. It gets warm under heavy loads, but never uncomfortably hot. There have been one or two occasions where I’ve felt it hot while charging, so I’ve taken it off charge to cool down. Nothing concerning though.
3. The Camera & Everyday Capture
I don’t use this phone to shoot cinema-grade films; I use it to capture quick B-roll, product close-ups, daily moments, and some architecture - I like capturing pictures of my city.
The Good: Colour consistency across the lenses remains top quality. The 5x telephoto lens has become my default for framing clean, compressed shots of desk setups and hardware details without distortion. I find the iPhone camera the best in the phone market, and it’s only kept getting better throughout the year.
The Gimmick: As mentioned above, the dedicated Camera Control button ended up being something I used far less than expected after the first month. It’s a nice feature to have, but I’m a pinch-to-zoom kind of photo taker, so that option still wins for me. I guess if you were more into your photography though, it’s a nice feature to have.
4. Software & Daily Performance
Performance on the A19 Pro chip hasn’t degraded in the slightest. System animations are fluid, multi-tasking across heavy apps like Notion, Mail, and photo editing tools is instantaneous, and local AI tasks complete without stutter. I am confident that when iOS 27 is released, it will work seamlessly on this device.
The iPhone 18 Pro models are claimed to be faster, with up to 6 hours more video playback on the iPhone 18 Pro Max on a single charge.
The Final Verdict
If you’re currently holding an iPhone 17 Pro or Pro Max, there is almost no practical reason to upgrade to the iPhone 18 this month. Hardware iteration has matured to a point where a one-year upgrade cycle simply doesn’t yield a noticeable jump in daily utility.
However, if you’re holding an older device (like an iPhone 14 or 15 Pro) and eyeing discounted or certified pre-owned 17 Pro Max units once the 18 drops, it’s an absolute powerhouse.
It hits the sweet spot of design refinement, battery endurance, and thermal stability.
The iPhone 18 Pro models do come with some pretty decent upgrades if you do decide to go for the new device. Colour-wise there’s a new burgundy and glacier, as well as the standard colours in Black and Silver. The Dynamic Island has also been redesigned and is now smaller and supports more apps. The camera is also a big talking point with its new variable aperture.
What’s your take on one-year phone upgrades? Are you holding onto your current device or planning to upgrade this cycle? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.