Quick answer: At its 9 September 2026 event, Apple announced its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo (from $1,999 in the US and Rs 2,99,900 in India), plus the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5. The Pro phones went on sale on 18 September; the iPhone Duo opens for pre-orders on 16 October and goes on sale on 23 October.
This was also the first big launch under John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook as Apple’s CEO at the start of September 2026, according to NPR. Below is a plain-English rundown of what’s new, what it costs, and whether any of it is worth your money right now.
All details here are as of 5 October 2026 and come from Apple’s own announcements plus reporting from established outlets.
What did Apple announce at the September 2026 event?
The event, which Apple called “Surprise and Shine”, covered five new hardware products and the release of this year’s software. MacStories’ tally lists the lineup and US starting prices:
- iPhone Duo: Apple’s first foldable iPhone, from $1,999.
- iPhone 18 Pro: from $1,199.
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: from $1,299.
- Apple Watch Series 12: from $399.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: from $799.
- AirPods 5: $129, or $149 with a wireless charging case.
One thing that wasn’t there: a standard, non-Pro iPhone 18. Apple only showed the Pro, Pro Max and Duo at this event, so if you were waiting for a cheaper new iPhone, you’ll have to keep waiting.
What is the iPhone Duo?
The iPhone Duo is a book-style foldable. Closed, you use a 5.4-inch outer screen. Open, it becomes a 7.6-inch display, which Apple says gives you 50% more screen area than the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Apple’s announcement lists a titanium body, IP68 water and dust resistance, and the same A20 Pro chip found in the Pro phones.
A few details matter for everyday use:
- Touch ID, not Face ID. You sign in with a fingerprint sensor in the side button, MacStories reports.
- Two cameras on the back, not three. It has a 48MP main camera and a 48MP ultra wide, but no dedicated telephoto lens like the Pro models.
- Split View on an iPhone for the first time. When unfolded, you can run two apps side by side, similar to an iPad.
- Apple Pencil support is coming later. Apple says the Duo will support the USB-C Apple Pencil “later this year”, not at launch.
- It’s heavy for a phone. MacStories lists the weight at 254 grams and the closed thickness at 11.3 mm.
Battery figures from Apple are up to 31 hours of video playback using the inner screen and 44 hours using the outer one, with roughly 24 hours of mixed use.
Should you buy a first-generation foldable?
Samsung and Huawei have sold folding phones since 2019, so the category isn’t new, but this is Apple’s first try. First-generation hardware sometimes has issues that only show up after months of daily use, such as hinge wear or screen-crease complaints. Nobody outside Apple has had months with the Duo yet, so if you aren’t in a hurry, waiting for long-term reviews is the safer choice.
The price is the other hurdle. At $1,999, NPR points out, it costs $700 more than the entry iPhone 18 Pro.
What’s new in the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max?
The Pro phones are a more traditional yearly update. According to Apple’s newsroom post, the main changes are:
- A20 Pro chip with what Apple calls a Dual 16-core Neural Engine, aimed at running more AI features on the phone itself.
- A variable-aperture main camera. The 48MP Fusion main camera can switch between apertures from f/1.48 to f/4, which gives more control over depth of field and sharpness.
- A smaller Dynamic Island that can show up to three Live Activities at once.
- Battery life of up to 36 hours of video playback on the Pro and 45 hours on the Pro Max.
- Apple Reference Image, a feature meant to help prove a photo hasn’t been altered.
Both Pro models start at 256GB and go up to 2TB. If you have an iPhone 16 Pro or 17 Pro, this year’s changes are incremental. If you’re on an iPhone 13 or older, the jump in battery life, camera and speed will be much more noticeable.
How much do the new iPhones cost in India?
India is in the first wave of countries for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple confirmed. Here are the launch prices for India as reported by Business Today:
| Model | 256GB | 512GB | 1TB | 2TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 18 Pro | Rs 1,64,900 | Rs 1,89,900 | Rs 2,39,900 | Rs 3,14,900 |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | Rs 1,79,900 | Rs 2,04,900 | Rs 2,54,900 | Rs 3,29,900 |
| iPhone Duo | Rs 2,99,900 | Rs 3,24,900 | Rs 3,74,900 | Rs 4,49,900 |
Business Today reports iPhone Duo pre-orders in India open on 16 October at 5:30 pm IST, with sales starting 23 October. Bank offers and exchange deals change often, so check the current offer on Apple’s India store or your retailer before you buy.
Apple Watch Series 12, Ultra 4 and AirPods 5
The watches and earbuds went on sale on 18 September alongside the Pro phones, per MacStories’ release-date roundup. MacStories says the new S11 chip in the Series 12 and Ultra 4 takes far more frequent heart-rate readings than last year’s models, and both get Ceramic Shield 2 and an IP6X dust rating.
AirPods 5 replace the regular AirPods at $129, or $149 with a wireless charging case. If your current AirPods still hold a charge well, there’s no rush; this is a normal generational refresh.
When do iOS 27 and the new Siri arrive?
iOS 27, iPadOS 27, watchOS 27 and Apple’s other software updates were released on 14 September 2026 as free downloads. Apple describes the headline feature as “an entirely new version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence”. The new Siri is rolling out as a beta, with MacStories reporting English first and more languages following in October.
Not every iPhone that runs iOS 27 gets every Apple Intelligence feature, so check Apple’s feature-availability notes for your exact model before you upgrade for Siri alone.
Key dates at a glance
- 9 September 2026: event; Apple Watch and AirPods 5 orders open.
- 12 September: iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max pre-orders.
- 14 September: iOS 27 and other software updates released.
- 18 September: iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, Apple Watch and AirPods 5 on sale.
- 16 October: iPhone Duo pre-orders open.
- 23 October: iPhone Duo on sale in 70+ countries and regions.
- 30 October: iPhone Duo reaches 28 more regions.
Apple’s foldable isn’t the only big shift for phone owners this autumn. Android users have their own changes to deal with, from Gemini replacing Google Assistant to new rules for installing apps from outside the Play Store. You can follow more launches in our Tech News section.
Frequently asked questions
When can I buy the iPhone Duo?
Pre-orders open on 16 October 2026 and the phone goes on sale on 23 October in more than 70 countries and regions, including India. Apple says 28 more regions follow on 30 October.
Is there a regular iPhone 18?
Not yet. Apple announced only the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone Duo at the September 2026 event. Apple hasn’t announced a standard iPhone 18 as of early October 2026.
Does the iPhone Duo have Face ID?
No. According to MacStories, the iPhone Duo uses Touch ID built into the side button, and a paired Apple Watch can also open it for you.
Is the iPhone 18 Pro worth upgrading to from an iPhone 17 Pro?
For most people, no. The changes are a faster chip, a variable-aperture camera, a smaller Dynamic Island and better battery life. Those are welcome, but owners of last year’s model won’t see a big day-to-day difference.
Sources
- Apple Newsroom: Apple debuts iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
- Apple Newsroom: Apple unveils iPhone Duo
- MacStories: iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo, The MacStories Overview
- MacStories: All the ‘Surprise and Shine’ Release Dates and Features, Visualized
- MacStories: Apple’s Surprise and Shine Event, By the Numbers
- NPR via OPB: Apple’s new CEO unveils a foldable iPhone
- Business Today: iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, Duo price in India