GoKawiilI’ve traveled all over the world with the iPhone 17 Pro Max during the past year, but I think the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max have made the right changes for someone like me who’s constantly on the go. The new Pro phones debuted last week at the company’s “Surprise and Shine” event, and I think three new features in particular will solve the gripes I’ve had with my orange 17 Pro Max as a traveling companion.
While I am in awe of the Ceramic Shield 2 durability that impressively protected my screen, I wouldn’t call it the best travel phone. It gets warm to the touch in hot weather and doesn’t offer the same pleasing camera experience as Android heavyweights like the Vivo X300 Ultra, Xiaomi 17 Ultra or the Oppo Find X9 Ultra. That’s why I’m stoked for the camera upgrades on Apple’s new models.
But I’m most excited about two comparatively minor upgrades, too. The expanded Dynamic Island capabilities and a redesigned vapor chamber appeal to me as someone who is constantly on the move and needs glanceable information. Here’s why I think these upgrades might tempt me to upgrade to the 18 Pro Max.
More glanceable information in the Dynamic Island
The Dynamic Island is smaller on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max (right) than last year’s 17 Pro Max (left). Patrick Holland/CNET
When I’m on the go, I’m almost always jumping between multiple apps. One minute it is Flightly to track my flights, another minute I’m checking routes on Google Maps and then waiting for my Uber ride to arrive. On my iPhone 17 Pro Max, the Dynamic Island tracks two Live Activities, but I need to swipe between the three apps to multitask. Apple is changing this with its new Pro iPhones.
With the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, the new Dynamic Island can expand to show up to three live activities simultaneously. It doesn’t stretch all the way to the screen edges. Instead, you get one main activity on the Dynamic Island with smaller circular icons on either side.
A preview of the three activities to be tracked by the Dynamic Island. Screenshot by CNET/Apple
This won’t change the way you use your iPhone, but I expect it to make multitasking easier with glanceable info right on top of your iPhone. The small icons likely won’t provide much information, but if I can get a navigation arrow alongside my Flighty updates and ETA for Uber rides, I’m sorted. The two icons also serve as shortcuts to open those apps, offering faster access than manually switching apps — which is common when I’m juggling my flight information while getting out of that rideshare vehicle.
A redesigned vapor chamber for better cooling
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