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Apple Launches Foldable iPhone Duo, Raises Older Models' Prices
Confirmed
In Short: Apple unveiled its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, during its hardware event, while also raising prices for older iPhone models.
Meanwhile, Apple is making older iPhone models more expensive. According to reports, the company is raising prices for older iPhone models, likely to make room for the new iPhone Duo in consumers' wallets. "It's a common strategy for tech companies to phase out older models by increasing their prices," noted a spokesperson for Fox Business.
During the event, Apple also introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, which start at $1,199 and $1,299 respectively, with lease options through Apple Upgrade. The iPhone 18 Pro lineup includes different color options, as shown in Apple's latest promotional materials.
Apple’s iPhone division reported strong revenue in the third fiscal quarter, up 22% to $54.25 billion, outperforming analysts' expectations. "This launch is part of Apple's strategy to maintain its market leadership and compete with Android foldables," said Stuart Varney, discussing the event on Fox Business.
The iPhone Duo is Apple's attempt to rival previous Android releases of foldables, including the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and Google Pixel Fold, which were released in 2019 and 2023 respectively. "Apple has been known to follow the lead of other tech giants, but with its own unique twist," noted a spokesperson for Fox Business.
In addition to the iPhone Duo, Apple also introduced the AirPods 5 and the Apple Watch Series 12, expanding its product lineup. The AirPods 5 Hero headphones were unveiled on September 14, marking a new addition to the AirPods family.
What's confirmed
- Meanwhile, Apple is making older iPhone models more expensive. According to reports, the company is raising prices for older iPhone models, likely to make room for the new iPhone Duo in consumers' wallets. "It's a common strategy for tech companies to phase out older models by increasing their prices," noted a spokesperson for Fox Business.
- During the event, Apple also introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, which start at $1,199 and $1,299 respectively, with lease options through Apple Upgrade. The iPhone 18 Pro lineup includes different color options, as shown in Apple's latest promotional materials.
- Apple’s iPhone division reported strong revenue in the third fiscal quarter, up 22% to $54.25 billion, outperforming analysts' expectations. "This launch is part of Apple's strategy to maintain its market leadership and compete with Android foldables," said Stuart Varney, discussing the event on Fox Business.
- The iPhone Duo is Apple's attempt to rival previous Android releases of foldables, including the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and Google Pixel Fold, which were released in 2019 and 2023 respectively. "Apple has been known to follow the lead of other tech giants, but with its own unique twist," noted a spokesperson for Fox Business.
- In addition to the iPhone Duo, Apple also introduced the AirPods 5 and the Apple Watch Series 12, expanding its product lineup. The AirPods 5 Hero headphones were unveiled on September 14, marking a new addition to the AirPods family.
What's still developing
- Yet barely a month into the Pixel Watch 5 ‘s life, some early owners are discovering that their older Google watches can do something the latest model cannot: show live camera feeds in the Google Home app.
- The feature still works normally on their older Pixel Watches.
- Its support page says live video, two-way talk, and Quick Responses are currently available only on the Pixel Watch 3 and will reach other Pixel Watch and Wear OS models “soon.” Yet owners are already using live view on Pixel Watch 4 and 5.
- Some smartphone makers have been offering foldable phones for the better part of a decade, but Apple has now joined the fray with the iPhone Duo after years of speculation.
- Apple suggests this “invites you to open” the phone.
- Apple ended today’s hardware event with one of its classic “One more thing” reveals.
- Apple prefaced its reveal with a denunciation of foldables that open into a square aspect ratio.
- Apple says the device has a 1:1.4 aspect ratio when open and closed.