Apple’s biggest iPhone shake-up yet: iPhone 18 pro and foldable Duo unveiled

Apple has unveiled its latest flagship smartphones, introducing the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max alongside its first foldable iPhone, the Duo.

The September 9 launch marks a significant change for Apple, combining major upgrades to its traditional Pro lineup with a completely new foldable form factor.

The event was also the first major iPhone launch under new CEO John Ternus, adding significance to an already important product cycle for the company.

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: What’s New?

The iPhone 18 Pro series focuses on five key areas: camera performance, processing power, battery life, artificial intelligence and thermal management.

• 48MP Fusion camera: The main camera now features variable aperture, giving users greater control over light and photography.
• Professional camera controls: New controls provide additional flexibility for photographers and video creators.
• A20 Pro chip: Apple’s latest processor is designed to deliver faster performance and improved on-device AI capabilities.
• Improved cooling: A next-generation vapor chamber is designed to maintain sustained performance during demanding workloads.
• Longer battery life: Apple says the iPhone 18 Pro Max delivers its largest battery-life improvement yet.
• Apple Intelligence and Siri AI: iOS 27 brings deeper AI capabilities, including personal-context features and an upgraded Siri experience.
• Smaller Dynamic Island: Apple has refined the Dynamic Island while retaining its interactive functions.
• New colours: The Pro models are available in black, silver, glacier and a new burgundy finish.

Both Pro models offer 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB storage options.

Pricing

In the US, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299.

Apple has confirmed that India is among the first-wave markets. Pre-orders begin on September 12, with availability starting September 18. Apple has not yet listed Indian pricing on its India store, so the US prices should not be treated as Indian retail prices.

Apple Enters the Foldable Market

The other major announcement is Apple’s first foldable iPhone, the Duo.

The passport-style device folds into a compact form and opens into a larger display, marking Apple’s entry into a category already dominated by competitors such as Samsung, Huawei and Motorola.

Reuters reported that the Duo is positioned as a premium foldable and represents one of the biggest design changes in the iPhone’s history.

The Duo is expected to compete directly in the high-end foldable segment, where Apple’s brand, software ecosystem and hardware integration could help accelerate adoption of foldable smartphones.

Why the Launch Matters

The iPhone 18 Pro series represents Apple’s continued push towards AI-powered computing, professional photography and sustained performance, while the Duo opens an entirely new chapter for the iPhone.

For consumers, the Pro models offer a familiar smartphone design with substantial internal upgrades. The Duo, meanwhile, is aimed at users looking for a larger screen without giving up the portability of a smartphone.

With its latest lineup, Apple is not simply refreshing its flagship iPhone. It is expanding the definition of what an iPhone can be — from a conventional premium smartphone to a potential foldable computing device.