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iPhone 18 Pro Colors Buyer's Guide: Which Should You Choose?

Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max models come in four distinct color options, so which should you choose?


The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ models come in Black, Silver, Glacier, and Burgundy. The aluminum and glass backs are more closely matched than on the iPhone 17 Pro, although the different materials remain somewhat visible.

You should also consider if you plan to use a case with your device and, if so, which one. The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌'s large, full-width camera plateau stands out on most cases, exposing more of the device's color. Choosing a complimentary color should be your first priority.

Burgundy


Burgundy is the most distinct and expressive ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ finish, and it is much darker than the ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro's equivalent Cosmic Orange. It looks closer to wine or plum than a vivid red.


Burgundy is the standout shade in the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ lineup, designed to be bold and attention-grabbing. It is the most noticeable ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ color, and the most likely to indicate that you have the latest generation device—there has never been an iPhone color option like it before.

Apple offers Burgundy Silicone and TechWoven cases if you want the phone and case to look closely coordinated. With a contrasting case, the large, exposed plateau becomes a prominent patch of red-purple. That is worth considering if you like to change between bright case colors: Burgundy will remain part of every combination.

A clear case shows more of the finish, although Apple's white MagSafe ring covers part of the back. Burgundy is the clearest way to distinguish this generation by color, but anyone hoping for a bright red iPhone may be disappointed.

Choose Burgundy if you want a distinctive, dark color that remains noticeable even when the phone is in a case.

Glacier


Glacier is a cool, pale blue that gives the iPhone a much softer look than Burgundy. It is much lighter than the ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro's Deep Blue, yet it does not disappear into Silver; in-person, it still looks distinctly blue.


Glacier is a useful middle ground if you want gentle color with some saturation, without making it the strongest feature of the phone. The exposed camera plateau gives an opaque case a light blue accent, while a clear case reveals most of the finish. Apple's clear case has a large white ‌MagSafe‌ ring, however, so it does not leave the back completely unobstructed.

Apple sells blue cases in shades such as Crisp Blue and Chambray Blue, but neither is named Glacier. If you want the case and phone to match precisely, it may be best to compare them in person; otherwise, a clear or neutral case lets Glacier stand on its own.

Choose Glacier if you want an iPhone with a fresh, subtle, and light appearance.

Silver


Silver is the most classic, versatile, and timeless option, but also the most practical. The finish gives off a clean and bright look that pairs well with virtually any case or wallpaper, and it reflects light more than the other three colors, making it quite neutral.


Its aluminum has a metallic sheen that leans toward white in some lighting conditions. This year, the two rear materials are the same tone, making the new model look much more cohesive than the two-tone Silver ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro.

Silver is also the most adaptable color for cases. The exposed silver plateau provides a crisp, light accent against a dark case and sits more quietly beside a pale one. The color is likely to age well since it goes well with any case and embodies Apple's most traditional colors.

It is also the only finish of the three that pairs well with Apple's own clear case. The clear case's white ‌MagSafe‌ ring is less of a visual interruption here than it is against Black or Burgundy. If you frequently change cases, Silver is unlikely to compete with your next choice.

Unlike Burgundy or Black, Silver minimizes the appearance of damage. When the anodized layer chips or scratches, the raw aluminum underneath is very close in tone, so imperfections blend in far better. For users who prioritize long-term durability of appearance, Silver is the most forgiving finish. It may not be as dramatic as Burgundy or as sleek as Black, but it is the safest choice for maintaining a "like-new" look over years of use.

Choose Silver if you want a classic, flexible look that mitigates the signs of damage.

Black


Black returns after the ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro offered Deep Blue as its darkest option. It offers a dark, neutral look without Deep Blue's blue cast.



A black case makes the exposed camera plateau blend into the rest of the phone. A light or colorful case has the opposite effect, framing a broad dark section across the top. Apple's clear case also makes its white ‌MagSafe‌ ring particularly noticeable against Black, so it is less suited to an uninterrupted all-black look.

If a deep chip or scratch exposes bare aluminum, its lighter color would stand out against this finish, especially on the plateau that Apple's cases leave uncovered. Anyone using the device without a case should be prepared for more noticeable damage. If visible marks would bother you and you plan to go without a case, Silver may be a better fit.

Choose Black if you want a dark, stealthy, and professional look, but be willing to accept signs of wear and tear.
Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro
Related Forum: iPhone

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Apple Watch SE 3 vs. Series 12 Buyer's Guide: Which Should You Buy?

The Apple Watch SE 3 starts at $249, while the Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399. The $150 difference buys a more advanced health sensing system, a larger display, longer battery life, and more options for tracking training and recovery.


The two watches still share many features, including an always-on display, wrist temperature sensing, sleep apnea notifications, retrospective ovulation estimates, 5G connectivity on cellular models, media playback, and 64GB of storage. Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two Apple Watch models is best for you. The differences between the two models are as follows:


















































































































































































































‌Apple Watch SE 3‌ Apple Watch Series 12
Same design as Apple Watch Series 4, 5, and 6 Refined design with a thinner casing, display with more rounded edges and a wider aspect ratio, and front glass that extends further over the sides for a higher screen-to-body ratio
40mm or 44mm case 42mm or 46mm case
Aluminum case Aluminum, titanium, or ceramic case
40mm: 40 by 34 by 10.7mm
44mm: 44 by 38 by 10.7mm
42mm aluminum/titanium: 42 by 37 by 9.7mm
46mm aluminum/titanium: 46 by 40 by 9.7mm
42mm ceramic: 43 by 37 by 9.85mm
46mm ceramic: 47 by 41 by 9.85mm
Aluminum GPS weight: 26.3 grams (40mm) or 32.9 grams (44mm) Aluminum GPS weight: 32.2 grams (42mm) or 39.5 grams (46mm)
Ion-X front glass Ceramic Shield 2 front on aluminum models; sapphire crystal front on titanium and ceramic models
No published IP6X rating IP6X dust resistance
LTPO OLED display LTPO3 display with a 1Hz always-on refresh rate, allowing a live ticking seconds hand on supported watch faces
‌OLED‌ display Wide-angle ‌OLED‌ display
40mm: 324 by 394 pixels
44mm: 368 by 448 pixels
42mm: 374 by 446 pixels
46mm: 416 by 496 pixels
40mm: 759 sq mm display area
44mm: 977 sq mm display area
42mm: 970 sq mm display area
46mm: 1,196 sq mm display area
Up to 1,000 nits brightness Up to 2,000 nits brightness
2 nits minimum brightness 1 nit minimum brightness
Nylon composite and sapphire crystal back Aluminum or titanium and zirconia back; ceramic and zirconia back on ceramic models
S10 chip (2024) S11 chip (2026)
2GB RAM 4GB RAM
Second-generation optical heart sensor Always-on optical heart sensor
Standard background heart rate tracking Background heart rate readings every five seconds
Heart rate variability tracking Recovery HRV and more frequent overall HRV readings
Vitals app with heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, and sleep duration Vitals app with heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration, HRV, and a daytime view
Readiness app
Electrical heart sensor and ECG app
Blood oxygen sensor and Blood Oxygen app
Hypertension notifications
Standard step tracking Improved step tracking
Real-time heart rate and steps watch face complications
Water temperature sensor
Depth gauge to 6 meters and Depth app
Oceanic+ app for snorkeling to 6 meters, available on the App Store
Audio Intelligence features including Siri Recap, Sound Recognition, and Shazam
Live Rewind and ‌Siri‌ Recap, due in beta in late 2026
Microphone Microphone with Voice Isolation
Single, elongated speaker openings Individual speaker holes
2.4GHz Wi-Fi 4 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi 4
L1 GPS Precision L1 GPS
Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip
Find iPhone Precision Finding for iPhone, with distance and direction guidance
HomePod playback controls ‌HomePod‌ playback controls and proximity-based media suggestions with a compatible Ultra Wideband ‌HomePod‌
Up to 18 hours of normal use Up to 24 hours of normal use
Up to 32 hours in Low Power Mode Up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode
Up to 7 hours of workout tracking Up to 10 hours of workout tracking
Charges from 0 to 80% in about 45 minutes Charges from 0 to 80% in about 30 minutes
15 minutes of charging for up to 8 hours of normal use 15 minutes of charging for up to 12 hours of normal use
8 minutes of charging for up to 8 hours of sleep tracking 5 minutes of charging for up to 10 hours of sleep tracking
Midnight and Starlight aluminum finishes Dark Bronze, Light Gold, Black, and Space Gray aluminum finishes
Radiant Gold and Natural titanium finishes
Pearl White and Night Blue ceramic finishes
Silver and Radiant Gold titanium Hermès models
40mm: $249 GPS or $299 GPS + Cellular
44mm: $279 GPS or $329 GPS + Cellular
Aluminum 42mm: $399 GPS or $499 GPS + Cellular
Aluminum 46mm: $449 GPS or $549 GPS + Cellular
Titanium models start at $699; ceramic models start at $899



If you mainly want a smart watch for notifications, standard workout and sleep tracking, and an always-on display, the ‌Apple Watch SE 3‌ remains the better value. Although it is now a year old, it still represents excellent value for money at $249, offering most of the Apple Watch's core features for $150 less than the entry-level Series 12.

The Apple Watch Series 12 has a much stronger case for anyone who uses their device to follow health and recovery trends. Its new Health Sensing System enables frequent heart rate readings, Recovery HRV, and a Readiness score that draws on recent activity, training load, vitals, and sleep. ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, and hypertension notifications add further capabilities unavailable on the ‌Apple Watch SE 3‌.

Battery life may be a decisive factor. The Apple Watch Series 12 is rated for six more hours of normal use and three more hours of outdoor workout tracking. It also charges faster, which is particularly useful if you wear your watch overnight for sleep tracking.

The Series 12 also offers a larger and brighter display, which makes a noticeable difference in daily use, along with 5GHz Wi-Fi, Precision Finding for a misplaced iPhone, and premium titanium and ceramic case options. Its Audio Intelligence features include ‌Siri‌ Recap, Sound Recognition, and always-on Shazam.

If you prefer the Series 12's broader health tracking capabilities, longer battery life, display advantages, or luxury case options, the extra cost is justified. If those features are unlikely to change how you use or appreciate your watch, the ‌Apple Watch SE 3‌ is the more economical choice.
Related Roundups: Apple Watch 12, Apple Watch SE 3
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Ultra 4 Buyer's Guide: Should You Upgrade?

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 arrives three years after the Ultra 2. Across those two generations, Apple added satellite connectivity, a larger display, new health sensors, and longer battery life. Are those changes enough to justify replacing an Ultra 2 or paying more for the newest model?


Both watches retain a 49mm titanium case, an Action button, a siren, a 3,000-nit display, dual-frequency GPS, and support for recreational diving to 40 meters. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at $799 in the U.S. Apple has discontinued the Ultra 2, although its refurbished store currently lists it from $589. Here are the key differences between the two models:






























































































Apple Watch Ultra 2 ‌Apple Watch Ultra 4‌
LTPO2 OLED display with always-on Wide-angle LTPO3 ‌OLED‌ display with 1Hz always-on refresh
410 by 502 pixels; 1,185 sq mm display area 422 by 514 pixels; 1,245 sq mm display area (5% larger)
S9 chip S11 chip
2GB RAM 4GB RAM
Electrical heart sensor and third-generation optical heart sensor Health Sensing System with new electrical and always-on optical heart sensors
Background heart-rate measurements Background heart-rate measurements every five seconds
Heart-rate variability (HRV) measurements More frequent measurements of overall HRV and Recovery HRV
Overnight Vitals view Overnight and daytime Vitals views
Readiness app
Step tracking More accurate all-day step tracking and a Steps watch-face complication
LTE and UMTS cellular connectivity LTE and 5G cellular connectivity
Emergency SOS, Messages, and Find My via satellite
Audio Intelligence: Sound Recognition, automatic music identification, Live Rewind, and Siri Recap
Up to 36 hours of normal use Up to 50 hours of normal use
Up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode Up to 84 hours in Low Power Mode
Up to 12 hours of standard outdoor workout tracking Up to 18 hours of standard outdoor workout tracking
Up to 17 hours of outdoor workout tracking in Low Power Mode with full GPS and heart-rate readings Up to 25 hours in Extended Workout mode with full GPS and heart-rate readings
Up to 35 hours of outdoor workout tracking with fewer GPS and heart-rate readings Up to 45 hours in Max Extended Workout mode, with GPS readings every second
Charges from 0 to 80% in about one hour Charges from 0 to 80% in about 45 minutes
Natural titanium: 61.4 grams; black titanium: 61.8 grams Natural titanium: 63.0 grams; black titanium: 63.1 grams
Dual-frequency GPS supporting GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou Dual-frequency GPS supporting GPS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou
Now discontinued Starts at $799



Is It Worth Upgrading From Ultra 2 to Ultra 4?


Most Apple Watch Ultra 2 owners should keep their watch if its battery still covers their usual days and workouts. It supports watchOS 27 and ‌Siri‌ AI, and continues to get new features through software updates.

The new Health Sensing System is the strongest reason to upgrade an Ultra 4. It measures heart rate every five seconds throughout the day and collects HRV data more frequently, enabling Recovery HRV, daytime Vitals, and the Readiness app. If you will use those insights to adjust your training or better understand changes in your daily condition, the ‌Apple Watch Ultra 4‌ offers a substantially improved health-tracking experience.

The S11 chip strengthens the case to upgrade. Alongside twice the memory, it enables more accurate all-day step counts, a Steps complication, and Audio Intelligence. Sound Recognition can alert you to important surrounding sounds on your wrist, while music recognition can identify songs automatically.

Satellite connectivity and longer battery life add further reasons to switch, especially if you spend time beyond cellular coverage or record long workouts. Apple's ratings increase from 36 to 50 hours of normal use and from 12 to 18 hours of standard outdoor workout tracking. The slightly larger display and faster charging are welcome improvements, but the new sensing and chip-enabled features make the bigger difference.

Should You Buy an Ultra 2 or Ultra 4?


For most people buying an Apple Watch Ultra now, future-proofing is the strongest reason to choose the latest model. Its S11 chip, 4GB of RAM, and Health Sensing System already enable Readiness, more detailed recovery metrics, and Audio Intelligence features. Live Rewind and ‌Siri‌ Recap are due later in 2026. If you plan to keep your watch for several years through successive software updates, that newer hardware makes the $799 model easier to justify.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 remains a credible value option at a substantial discount. At Apple's current $589 refurbished price, it costs $210 less than a new Ultra 4 while retaining the same design and core features. Choose it if those existing capabilities meet your needs and you are comfortable passing up the Ultra 4's hardware-exclusive features.
Related Roundup: Apple Watch Ultra 4
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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