September brought a wave of new flagship phones. Here is how the biggest launches stack up.
Side-by-side
| iPhone 18 Pro | iPhone Duo | Xiaomi 18 Pro Max | Xiaomi 18 Fold | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Standard | Foldable | Standard | Foldable |
| Chip | A20 Pro | A20 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 | XRING O3 |
| Main screen | Smaller Dynamic Island | 7.6-inch inner | 6.9-inch | 7.58-inch inner |
| Main camera | 48MP, variable aperture | 48MP | 200MP Leica | 200MP Leica |
| Telephoto | Yes | No (2x crop only) | 200MP, 3.2x | 50MP, 3.5x |
| Battery | Up to 36 hrs video | Up to 24 hrs use | 8,500mAh | 6,000mAh |
| Starting price | $1,199 | $1,999 | CNY 6,999 | CNY 10,999 |
| US availability | Now | October 23 | Import only | Import only |
Quick picks
Best for most iPhone users: iPhone 18 Pro. Best balance of camera, battery, and price in Apple's lineup. The adjustable aperture is a real upgrade for photographers.
Best for early adopters: iPhone Duo. If you want a phone that becomes a tablet and you live in Apple's ecosystem, this is the one. Just know you are giving up a telephoto lens and paying $800 more than the 18 Pro.
Best specs for the money: Xiaomi 18 Pro Max. Two 200MP cameras, a huge battery, and a privacy display at a lower price. The catch is that it is not officially sold in the US.
Best foldable on paper: Xiaomi 18 Fold. Thinner and lighter than the iPhone Duo, with a telephoto camera. Again, import only for now.
Worth waiting for?
- The standard iPhone 18 is reportedly coming in early 2027.
- Xiaomi's global launch of the 18 Pro series is confirmed, likely early next year.
Sources: Apple Newsroom, MacRumors, 9to5Google, SoyaCincau
