Apple unveils iPhone 18 Pro and its first foldable iPhone

Apple has unveiled its latest iPhone lineup, introducing the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max alongside its first-ever foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo.

The launch marks one of the biggest changes to Apple’s iPhone lineup in years, as the company expands into the increasingly competitive foldable phone market.

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are powered by Apple’s new A20 Pro chip and feature a redesigned 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera with variable aperture. The new system allows users to control the amount of light entering the lens, offering greater flexibility for photography and video.

Apple has also introduced new professional controls in the Camera app, including manual adjustments for shutter speed, focus and white balance. The Dynamic Island has been made smaller, while Apple says the new models deliver major improvements in sustained performance and battery life.

The iPhone 18 Pro will be available in black, silver, glacier and a new burgundy finish. Pre-orders begin on September 12, with sales starting September 18. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, while the Pro Max starts at $1,299, both $100 more than their predecessors.

But the biggest surprise of the event was the iPhone Duo, Apple’s first foldable iPhone.

The device opens like a book to reveal a 7.6-inch inner display, while a 5.4-inch screen is available when the phone is folded. Apple says the Duo is its thinnest iPhone when opened and has been designed for multitasking, gaming and viewing content on a larger screen.

The foldable iPhone is powered by the A20 Pro chip and features a custom thermal system and dual-battery architecture. It also supports Apple Pencil, further positioning the device as a productivity-focused smartphone.

The iPhone Duo will start at $1,999. Pre-orders open on October 16, with the device reaching customers on October 23.

Notably, Apple did not unveil the standard iPhone 18 at its September event. Reports indicate that the base model could arrive later, potentially alongside a more affordable iPhone 18E and a new iPhone Air in early 2027.

The launch is also the first major iPhone event under Apple’s new CEO John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook earlier this month. Alongside the new iPhones, Apple introduced updated Apple Watch and AirPods models, while placing renewed emphasis on on-device artificial intelligence and privacy.

With the iPhone Duo, Apple is now entering a foldable market already dominated by Samsung and Chinese manufacturers. The company is betting that its ecosystem, software and emphasis on privacy can turn foldable phones from a niche category into a mainstream product.