GoKawiil
Tech News
A tech reporter spent a five-day vacation testing Apple's new iPhone Duo, a $2,000 loaner device, alongside a familiar iPhone 17 Pro Max as backup. Despite early frustrations with broken apps, unfamiliar gestures like Touch ID, and camera issues, the reporter ended up favoring the Duo over the trip's course and chose not to revert to the older phone.
A tech writer who has used the iPhone 18 Pro for a month reports strong satisfaction with three features: battery life that often leaves 60% charge at day's end, a variable-aperture Main camera that consistently produces sharp Auto-mode photos, and a new vapor chamber cooling system that keeps the phone responsive in hot, sunny conditions. The reviewer contrasts this year's Main camera upgrade with recent years, when Apple focused more on Telephoto, Ultra Wide, and Front camera improvements.
Apple's foldable iPhone Duo, priced at $1,999 outright, can be leased through the new Apple Upgrade program for as low as $9.24 a month on a 12-month term if a buyer trades in a recent device like an iPhone 17 Pro Max. Without a trade-in, a 24-month Apple Upgrade lease runs $57.99 a month, compared with $83 a month under standard 24-month financing.
Amazon is offering unlocked, Renewed Premium iPhone 17 Pro Max units starting at $1,385.78 for the 1TB model, over $500 less than Apple's 1TB iPhone 18 Pro Max. The retailer's early fall Prime Day event also includes a $500 cut on an M5 Pro MacBook Pro, ecobee HomeKit discounts up to $210 off, Apple Watch Solo Loop bands from $7, a $100 discount on Apple's Magic Keyboard Folio, and 40% off the MagSafe Battery Pack.
A reviewer compared Apple's revamped Clean Up tool and new Extend feature in iOS 27, running on an iPhone 18 Pro Max, against Adobe Photoshop's Firefly-powered Generative Fill and Expand tools. The test used six travel photos shot on an iPhone 17 Pro Max, split evenly between object removal and image extension tasks, with settings kept as consistent as possible across both platforms.
Astronauts on NASA's Artemis II mission used Nikon DSLR and mirrorless cameras, GoPro Hero4s for interior and exterior video, and iPhone 17 Pro Max phones to document the flight around the moon. Nikon senior manager Michael Corrado described the certification process required for equipment to fly in space and explained why much of the gear astronauts use is years old.
A CNET reviewer who used the iPhone 17 Pro Max extensively while traveling says the newly unveiled iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max address key frustrations. The updated Dynamic Island can now display three live activities at once instead of two, and the phones feature a redesigned vapor chamber along with camera improvements aimed at competing with Android flagships.
Apple has outlined how its AppleCare+ single-device insurance compares with the newer AppleCare One subscription, which covers multiple gadgets under one plan. AppleCare+ pricing varies by device, ranging from about $10 a month for the iPhone 17e to $14 a month for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and includes unlimited accidental damage repairs, priority support, and battery replacement once health drops below 80 percent. Deductibles still apply for specific repairs, such as $29 for screen damage and $149 for theft or loss replacement.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro Max claims 45 hours of video playback versus 39 hours on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, along with faster wired and wireless charging. Aside from battery improvements, a variable aperture camera, larger vapor chamber and A20 Pro chip, the new model is nearly identical to its predecessor, and costs just $100 more starting at $1,299 for 256GB.
Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max at its 'Surprise and shine' event, featuring the A20 Pro chip, an adjustable camera aperture with AI features, and a larger vapor chamber. The standout upgrade is battery life, with the Pro Max rated for 45 hours of video playback versus 39 hours on last year's model, plus faster wired and wireless charging. Starting at $1,299 for 256GB, the new phone costs $100 more than its predecessor at launch.
A 14-second clip circulating online shows what appears to be dark cherry and blue iPhone 18 Pro models displayed alongside an iPhone 17 Pro Max at what looks like a retail store. Analysts flag several red flags suggesting the footage is staged with dummy units rather than genuine pre-release hardware.
A CNET reviewer used an iPhone 17 Pro Max caseless for nearly a year, enduring drops and pocket wear, and found the Cosmic Orange finish largely intact aside from minor chipping and dents. Comparing it to a similarly used iPhone 16 Pro, the newer model's screen showed noticeably fewer scratches, suggesting Apple's Ceramic Shield 2 coating delivers a real durability improvement.