Apple Enters Foldable Era With iPhone Duo As New iPhones, Apple Watch And AirPods Take Centre Stage

Apple unveiled a wave of new products at its September 9 event, but one device clearly took centre stage: the iPhone Duo, Apple’s first foldable iPhone.

The company also introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, AirPods 5, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, along with new health features and its upgraded Siri AI.

The event at the Steve Jobs Theater was also John Ternus’s first keynote as Apple CEO after Tim Cook moved to executive chairman following 15 years in charge.

Apple Finally Enters The Foldable Market

Apple saved its biggest announcement for the end of the event, introducing the $1,999 iPhone Duo after years of rumours about a foldable iPhone.

The book style phone has a 5.4 inch outer display when closed and opens to reveal a 7.6 inch inner display. Apple says the outer screen offers around 90 percent of the iPhone 18 Pro’s screen area, while the Duo becomes the thinnest iPhone the company has made when opened.

Both displays use the same aspect ratio, helping content move smoothly between the two screens. Apple has also added a nano texture finish designed to reduce glare and make the fold crease less noticeable.

The folding design also changes how people can use an iPhone. iOS 27 has been adapted for the Duo, including a new Split View feature that allows two apps to run side by side on an iPhone for the first time.

The Duo also gets Smart Take, which can automatically capture a photo when it detects people posing, and Duo FaceTime, which can use the outer screen and camera to bring another nearby person into a video call.

Inside, the Duo uses the same A20 Pro chip as the new iPhone 18 Pro models and has two batteries working together. Apple says it can provide up to 44 hours of video playback when using the outer screen.

The iPhone Duo comes in Star White and Night Sky. Pre orders begin October 16 before shipping starts October 23.

iPhone 18 Pro Gets Better Cameras And Battery

Apple also introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max with a new 48 megapixel main camera featuring variable aperture, allowing the camera to adjust for different lighting and depth.

The phones also offer more manual camera controls and run on Apple’s new A20 Pro chip.

Battery life receives a major improvement, with Apple claiming up to 45 hours of video playback on the eSIM only iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Prices start at $1,199 for the Pro and $1,299 for the Pro Max. Pre orders open September 12, with availability from September 18.

AirPods And Apple Watch Get New Features

AirPods 5 arrive with improved Active Noise Cancellation, which Apple says removes up to 50 percent more outside noise than AirPods 4 with ANC. Apple Intelligence also powers Live Translation for conversations.

Prices start at $129, while a $149 model adds a wireless charging case, longer battery life and volume controls.

Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 introduce a new Health Sensing System and a Readiness score based on activity, sleep and other health information.

Series 12 starts at $399, while the more rugged Ultra 4 starts at $799. Both watches and AirPods 5 begin shipping September 18.

Siri AI Is Finally Arriving

Apple also confirmed its upgraded Siri AI will begin rolling out with iOS 27.

The new Siri can use personal context, understand information displayed on the screen and perform tasks across supported apps. Apple says personal information is protected through on device processing and Private Cloud Compute.

Apple announced improvements across nearly every major device category, but the iPhone Duo was clearly the defining product of the event.

The iPhone 18 Pro, new AirPods and Apple Watches improve products Apple already sells. The Duo takes Apple somewhere new.

Starting at $1,999, it will not be an iPhone for everyone. But after years of watching the foldable market develop, Apple has officially entered it with its first folding iPhone.