Photographer says iPhone Duo cameras trail iPhone 18 Pro, but most users may not notice

Stalman said the Duo lacks a Telephoto lens, its Main camera is not quite as good as the 18 Pro's and its Center Stage front camera is a step down. He said Main camera images look very similar in most lighting conditions. In low light the Pro is better, but the difference is "probably not going to jump out to most people," he said.

9to5Mac's own in-depth review, published the same day, said the Duo's camera is comparable to the iPhone Air's, a comparison that specs confirm. The 9to5Mac reviewer said he found the iPhone 18 Pro's Main camera a big improvement over the Air camera.

Beyond image quality, Stalman said the Duo's two screens give it an edge in the camera experience. They allow users to take 48MP selfies, and when photographing other people, those subjects can see what the photographer sees. Stalman said the Ultra Wide lens appears to offer basically the same quality as the iPhone 18 Pro's.

The Center Stage front camera is a 12MP camera, while the iPhone 18 Pro and last year's 17 Pro use an 18MP lens. Stalman said to expect selfie quality similar to pre-iPhone 17 models, but with features such as Center Stage and automatic framing that let users hold the phone in any orientation. He added that the Duo's selfie camera is less important than the 18 Pro's because users can take selfies with the Main camera.

9to5Mac published Stalman's full video review and asked readers whether the Duo's camera shortcomings would influence their purchase decision.