iPhone 18 Pro vs 17 Pro: Why Last Year's Model Still Makes Sense

Apple's iPhone 18 Pro launches at €150 more than its predecessor, yet shares the same screen, aluminum chassis, and dimensions, with internal upgrades to the chip, camera sensor, modem, and battery. The price increase targets new buyers rather than iPhone 17 Pro owners. The 18 Pro's main camera adds a variable aperture with four positions from ƒ/1.48 to ƒ/4.0, while the 17 Pro remains fixed at ƒ/1.78. The A20 Pro chip promises 20% faster CPU and 40% faster GPU performance, and battery life improves from 31 to 34 hours of video playback. However, Apple Reference Image capture and Siri AI are unavailable in the EU at launch. For iPhone 17 Pro owners, no upgrade is justified unless they need aperture control or extra battery life. Those with older models might consider the discounted 17 Pro, though Apple has raised prices on older models and removed the 17 Pro from its store.