CNET reviewers revisit their 2007 assessment of the original iPhone, which launched at $499 (roughly $800 today) and generated comparable hype and shock to Apple's newly announced foldable iPhone Duo at $2,000. The original iPhone was praised for its innovative design and interface but criticized for missing features, network limitations, and expensive pricing relative to competitors of that era.
Apple released iOS 27 on September 14, featuring Siri AI and other upgrades. Users may experience temporary battery drain after installation due to background indexing and setup processes, which Apple confirmed is normal. Heavy iPhone usage post-update can also contribute to battery depletion, though performance should stabilize once setup completes.
Apple's AirPods 5 offer improved sound and noise cancellation compared to previous models, with the entry-level version now including active noise cancellation at $129 and the premium model reduced to $149. Despite maintaining the same open-earbud design, the earbuds deliver performance comparable to AirPods Pro 3 with enhanced durability and water resistance.
Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo, its first foldable smartphone, featuring a compact palm-size design with a 5.4-inch cover screen and 7.6-inch inner display. It competes with Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, which offers a larger 6.5-inch cover screen, 8-inch inner display, and superior camera specs, though the iPhone Duo provides better durability with an IP68 rating and starts at $1,999 versus the Z Fold 8 Ultra's $2,100.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro ($1,199) introduces significant upgrades over the iPhone 14 Pro from four years prior, including a faster A20 Pro chip, improved cameras with variable aperture, brighter 6.3-inch display, USB-C connectivity, and extended battery life. While recent iPhone owners may not need to upgrade, iPhone 14 Pro users gain substantial improvements across performance, imaging, and hardware features.