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When we were recording the Cult of Mac podcast this morning, my colleague Lewis confessed that this year was the first since joining this august publication many years ago that he might not be buying the latest iPhone.
Lewis has always been a dedicated iPhone Pro user, and — like me — never really countenanced buying anything else. And year after year he’s upgraded.
While watching yesterday’s keynote, the section about the new variable-aperture camera in the new Pros triggered Lewis’ technolust. At that moment, he had to have it.
But in the cold, harsh light of the next day, he began to think the camera in his current iPhone 17 Pro is good enough.
The $100 price increase over last year’s models didn’t help. He is, however, agonizing.
I, too, have always upgraded every year and always got a Pro model. But like Lewis, I’m skipping the Pro this year. I’m going for the new iPhone Duo — likely on Apple’s lease program.
But I dunno. I’m wobbling, too. I have a bit of FOMO.
That iPhone 18 Pro’s new camera does look awesome, and the new A20 Pro chip sounds insane (it also powers the Duo). The new processor will likely significantly boost local AI performance. Siri AI can be painfully slow right now on my iPhone 17 Pro, but that may be because it’s still in beta. The iPhone 18 Pro also brings a bunch of other smaller, but probably meaningful, improvements, like better battery life and faster charging.
Decisions, decisions. One thing’s for sure though: I won’t be getting burgundy.
If you, too, are on the fence, check out our comparison of the iPhone 18 Pro and last year’s model. It has some very nice tables!
Also in today’s newsletter:
I’ll bet if you watched yesterday’s keynote, the new iPhone Duo triggered technolust in you, too. Apple is unparalleled in making us want stuff, but ofc, Ternus and friends didn’t tell us what we’re not getting in the new device. Here’s the list of missing features.
Cult of Mac writer Graham Bower knows a lot about fitness tech, and he has thoughts about some of the new features in the latest Apple Watches.
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Apple didn’t dwell on “the crease” during yesterday’s Surprise and Shine event, but it’s a major reason people dismiss foldables. However, the first hands-on demos after the keynote suggest the curse of the crease is a non-issue. Plus, some other interesting tidbits about iPhone Duo.
🔥 DEAL OF THE DAY: I have one of these clip-on headphone holders, and it’s great for under your desk or shelf. It’s on sale now for less than $9. #affiliate
The new Apple TV Remote app on your iPhone in iOS 27 sounds awesome. If only there was something decent to watch!
— Leander Kahney, EIC.
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One more thing ...
At Apple, people are putting in 18-hour days. We attract a different type of person — a person who doesn’t want to wait five or 10 years to have someone take a giant risk on him or her. Someone who really wants to get in a little over his head and make a little dent in the universe. We are aware that we are doing something significant.
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Which new iPhone will you buy?
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