Compare the same storage before comparing the price
Apple's advertised UK 256GB prices, checked on 10 September 2026, are £1,199 for iPhone 18 Pro, £1,299 for Pro Max and £1,999 for Duo, including VAT. Pro Max is £100 above Pro. Duo is £700 above Pro Max and £800 above Pro.
For ten employees, moving from Pro to Max adds £1,000 in handset reference cost. Choosing Duo instead of Pro adds £8,000. These are handset purchase comparisons, not monthly tariffs or CTN stock commitments.
Pro versus Pro Max: screen, weight and battery claims
Both have A20 Pro. Pro has a 6.3-inch display and weighs 211g; Pro Max has a 6.9-inch display and weighs 249g. The larger model therefore adds 38g before a case.
Apple quotes up to 34 hours of video playback for Pro and 43 hours for Max. Those figures use Apple's test conditions. They do not predict a working day of tethering, navigation and video meetings, and should not be compared directly with another manufacturer's battery test.
Try the same document and camera tasks on both models. A person who frequently reads drawings or spreadsheets may value the larger display; a person taking calls while moving around may care more about size and weight.
Duo: a different format, not just a larger Pro
Duo uses A20 Pro with a 7.6-inch inner display and 5.4-inch outer display. It weighs 254g. Its folding format changes how it is carried, opened and used, so evaluate the work applications in both layouts.
A shared processor does not make the phone's camera system, accessories or application behaviour identical to Pro. Try the files, sign-in flows and document workflows the employee actually uses. Confirm repair arrangements and a fallback device before making it essential to the role.
For a cross-platform folding comparison, read iPhone Duo versus Galaxy Fold8.
Launch timing is part of the cost decision
Apple's UK launch dates are 18 September 2026 for Pro and Pro Max, and 23 October for Duo. These are manufacturer release dates, not supplier delivery promises. Confirm allocation and delivery before aligning a contract switch with either date.
A staged order may suit a company with an urgent group and a later folding-phone pilot. Include any overlap with the old agreement when comparing the cost of waiting.
A practical way to approve an upgrade
Record the task that benefits, the price premium per handset and the number of people who need it. Add accessories, management setup and support to the supplier comparison. If the extra hardware does not change the task, compare keeping a suitable supported device.
Use the business upgrade guide for renewal and number-transfer planning, and the fleet worksheet to group an order by role.
Common buying questions
Is Pro Max £100 more than Pro?
At Apple's UK 256GB prices checked on 10 September 2026, yes: £1,299 versus £1,199 including VAT. Different storage choices and supplier contracts must be compared separately.
Does Duo launch at the same time?
Apple's announced UK launch is 23 October 2026 for Duo, compared with 18 September for Pro and Pro Max. Supplier delivery needs separate confirmation.
Does a shared chip mean the phones perform identically at work?
No. Screen layout, camera requirements, software, thermal behaviour, handling and support all affect the result. Test the actual work.
Are these prices business contracts?
No. These are Apple handset reference prices including VAT. Request the device, data, network and term together for a business quote.
Sources and price basis
Manufacturer specifications and UK reference prices checked 10 September 2026. Prices include VAT at 256GB, without trade-in, temporary promotions or airtime. Our buying advice interprets the specifications; it is not a hands-on benchmark or a live inventory feed.