Apple's foldable iPhone Duo leads new lineup as Samsung challenges iPad Pro

Engadget reported that John Ternus introduced the new devices in his debut as CEO. The iPhone Duo drew most of the attention, but it was not the only product in the lineup. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max add two new models, and the Pro Max carries what Apple claims is 'the largest increase in battery life ever on iPhone,' according to Engadget.

9to5Mac reported that the iPhone Duo has the largest display ever in an iPhone, bigger even than the iPhone 18 Pro Max. A side-by-side video posted on Instagram by @thetechchap showed how the two compare in size. When unfolded, the Duo's width is nearly identical to the Pro Max's longest side. Per Apple's technical specs, the Duo measures 4.64 inches in height both closed and open, and 3.31 inches in width when closed and 6.48 inches when open. The iPhone 18 Pro Max measures 6.43 inches in height and 3.07 inches in width. Because both phones can be used in any orientation, 9to5Mac noted that comparing height against width and vice versa can be more useful. The Duo can also fold, making it more compact for carrying and one-handed use.

For the two new Pro phones, Engadget reported that display size is the main differentiator. The iPhone 18 Pro has a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch version. Both run on Apple's new A20 Pro chip, which the company calls its 'most powerful and efficient iPhone chip' to date. They have similar camera capabilities, including 48MP sensors, optical zoom and variable aperture for manual controls and better low-light quality. Both come in Silver, Black, Glacier and Burgundy. The battery gap is wider. Apple promises up to 36 hours of video playback for the iPhone 18 Pro, up from 33 hours on the 17 Pro, and up to 45 hours for the 18 Pro Max, a 6-hour increase over the 17 Pro Max. The 18 Pro can reach 50 percent charge in 15 minutes with a 60W-capable USB-C cable, while certified MagSafe chargers deliver 50 percent in 30 minutes. Five minutes of wired charging on the 18 Pro Max adds seven hours of playback, according to Apple. Engadget noted that the two Pro models also differ by $100. Even the iPhone Duo, with up to 44 hours of playback on its outer screen, falls short of the 18 Pro Max's 45-hour claim.

On the tablet side, Engadget compared Samsung's Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra with Apple's largest iPad Pro. Samsung's new top-of-the-line tablet starts at $1,399.99 and is only available in a 14.6-inch size. Samsung also launched the 12.6-inch Galaxy Tab S12+, which starts at $1,199.99. Apple's iPad Pro starts at $1,199 for the 11-inch model and $1,499 for the 13-inch version, not including accessories. Because of the specification differences, Engadget focused its comparison on the Tab S12 Ultra and Apple's largest iPad Pro.

The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra has a 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 2,960 x 1,848 resolution, a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1,600 nits, or 1,000 nits in High Brightness Mode. Samsung's Vision Booster adjusts brightness based on ambient light. Engadget's review called the tablet 'bright' and 'dazzlingly colorful.' Apple's iPad Pro uses an Ultra Retina XDR display, rated for 1,000 nits and 1,600 nits peak brightness for HDR content, with an emphasis on contrast accuracy and color precision. Engadget said Samsung's larger canvas gives it an edge for productivity and multitasking, while creatives who rely on Apple-only apps and color-management workflows may prefer the iPad Pro.

Under the hood, the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 9500 processor built on a 3nm process. Apple's latest iPad Pro has an M5 chip with a faster Neural Engine and a 10-core GPU with neural accelerators built into each core. Engadget reported that battery life is where the Samsung tablet separates itself. Samsung claims its 11,600mAh battery can last up to 23 hours on a charge; in Engadget's real-world video rundown test, it lasted 19 hours and 39 minutes. The tablet is 5.1mm thick, making it the thinnest Galaxy Tab released to date. By comparison, Apple promises up to 10 hours of battery life for the iPad Pro. The Tab S12 Ultra weighs 692 grams (1.52 pounds), while the larger iPad weighs 579 grams (1.28 pounds).

Engadget's comparison concluded that the choice between the two tablets depends on priorities. A buyer who wants a portable, large-screen device for productivity and long battery life may lean toward the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra. A buyer who needs display accuracy and depends on Apple's software ecosystem may lean toward the iPad Pro. For the new iPhones, the choice between the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max is similarly straightforward: the larger model offers a bigger screen and longer battery life, while both share the same chip, camera features and color options.

Editor's Summary

Apple's 'Surprise and Shine' event introduced the foldable iPhone Duo and the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, with battery life and screen size as the main selling points. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra, meanwhile, is positioned against Apple's iPad Pro with a larger display and longer claimed battery life. The reports show the premium device race is focusing on portability, endurance and display quality rather than only raw performance.