After a month of testing the iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch Series 12 and AirPods 5, the verdict is clear: these are polished devices, but not world-beatingly different from their predecessors. For existing Apple users, the upgrades are incremental rather than revolutionary.
The latest top models, released in September, are among the most polished consumer tech products of 2026, especially when used together. Long-time Apple users will feel a sense of déjà vu, as the devices represent the culmination of years of design and software tweaks.
iPhone 18 Pro: Incremental Upgrades
The iPhone 18 Pro, starting at £1,199, is practically the same as 2025's iPhone 17 Pro but with new colours, including a dark burgundy, a faster A20 Pro chipset, and a main camera lens with a variable aperture. This is a first for an iPhone, with moving parts that adjust the aperture for shots, similar to a DSLR camera.
The noticeable effects of the variable aperture were minimal, but the inclusion of 'pro' controls in the camera app is a real boon for mobile photographers who want to quickly change white balance, shutter speed, and other settings. Android phones have had these options for a while, so Apple is a little late to the game.
Photo quality and flexibility of the triple lens system is still inferior to phones such as the Xiaomi 17 Ultra with its 1-inch main sensor, but the 18 Pro has very capable mobile cameras and remains an excellent point-and-shoot. It has a neutral, life-like feel and is the most reliable iPhone for capturing images.
Apple Watch Series 12: Polished and Improved
The Apple Watch Series 12, starting at £369, is supremely polished. The new dark bronze colour option, which the reviewer initially doubted, has grown on them. Improved sensors can record heart rate continuously every five seconds, making readings far more comprehensive and in line with competitors like the Whoop band and Oura Ring.
Apple has added a 'readiness' score, mirroring what's on offer elsewhere. watchOS 27 brings thoughtful additions such as an always-listening widget that tells you what music is playing around you automatically, which can be saved to Apple Music. With a six-month-old at home, the double pinch gesture to scroll through widgets is handy when hands are full.
With 24 hours of battery life, the silent alarm can wake you without disturbing others. Charging is faster than ever. The two most controversial features, Live Rewind and Siri Recap, are coming in an update later this year. Live Rewind can show the last 15 seconds of conversation in text, using the mic to buffer what's being said. Apple says this isn't saved anywhere permanently. Siri Recap, according to Apple, 'can create high-level summaries of conversations that users can review later'. Both smarts are opt-in, but it feels Apple is flirting with the kind of public privacy pushback Meta is having with its smart glasses.
AirPods 5: Comfort and Features
The AirPods 5 come in two versions, with a £119 model to start, but spending £20 more gets the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case, which also allows swiping up or down on the stems to change volume. Despite their fixed plastic shape, these AirPods have noise cancellation. It's no good for blocking out noise on a plane, but it is surprisingly effective in bustling cafes, walking down city streets, or in an office setting.
The comfort makes them a good bud for phone calls, with five hours on a full charge, three less than AirPods Pro 3. The reviewer prefers the moulded AirPods design to the in-ear AirPods Pro, which have silicone tips that irritate ears after a couple of hours. The cheaper, open-style AirPods 5 have almost all the Pro's features in a more comfortable fit.
If you're overdue for an iPhone, Apple Watch, or AirPods upgrade, any of these latest offerings will serve you well for several years. It's just not worth shelling out for these pricey gadgets if the ones you have still work well, as this year is not one of radical overhaul – Apple has saved all that juice for the iPhone Duo.
