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Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max first impressions: It’s all about performance
Confirmed
In Short: Apple is set to unveil its first foldable iPhone and enhanced Pro models, marking a significant shift in its product strategy.
Apple is expected to launch its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, according to reports. The new release strategy will see the flagship models unveiled in September, with standard and entry-level models arriving in the first quarter of the following year. This marks a departure from previous years, where all models were typically launched simultaneously.
Apple’s new lineup includes the iPhone Duo, which features a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR display and supports Apple Pencil with USB-C. The device is priced at $1,999 in the U.S., making it one of the most expensive iPhones ever. The iPhone Duo’s unique design, with a 1:1.4 aspect ratio, invites users to explore new ways of interacting with their phone.
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models come with enhanced Pro controls in the Camera app, offering more manual camera settings for photography enthusiasts. Apple has also announced that an API will give developers more control over the aperture range in third-party apps, further enhancing the user experience.
Apple’s foray into the foldable phone market comes after years of speculation. The company suggests that the iPhone Duo’s design is more inviting than square aspect ratio foldables, adopting a passport-like shape when closed. This marks a significant step for Apple in the smartphone industry, as it joins Samsung and other manufacturers in this emerging market.
What's confirmed
- Apple is expected to launch its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, according to reports. The new release strategy will see the flagship models unveiled in September, with standard and entry-level models arriving in the first quarter of the following year. This marks a departure from previous years, where all models were typically launched simultaneously.
- Apple’s new lineup includes the iPhone Duo, which features a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR display and supports Apple Pencil with USB-C. The device is priced at $1,999 in the U.S., making it one of the most expensive iPhones ever. The iPhone Duo’s unique design, with a 1:1.4 aspect ratio, invites users to explore new ways of interacting with their phone.
- The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models come with enhanced Pro controls in the Camera app, offering more manual camera settings for photography enthusiasts. Apple has also announced that an API will give developers more control over the aperture range in third-party apps, further enhancing the user experience.
- Apple’s foray into the foldable phone market comes after years of speculation. The company suggests that the iPhone Duo’s design is more inviting than square aspect ratio foldables, adopting a passport-like shape when closed. This marks a significant step for Apple in the smartphone industry, as it joins Samsung and other manufacturers in this emerging market.
What's still developing
- You might be wondering why the standard iPhone 18 models are missing from our headline, and why we haven’t mentioned them until now.
- Apple is widely expected to announce new iPhones next month.
- Here’s a roundup of everything we know (or we think we know) about Apple’s upcoming iPhones.
- Those waiting for the regular iPhones will have to wait a couple more months.
- If this is true, it means the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, along with the iPhone Air 2 and Apple’s first foldable iPhone, could take centre stage later this year, while the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e will only arrive several months later.
- The foldable iPhone starts at $1,999 in the United States.
- Apple says Apple Pencil will work with both the inner and outer displays, allowing users to take handwritten notes, sketch and mark up documents whether iPhone Duo is open or closed.
- The inner screen is the largest display Apple has ever offered on an iPhone and features a nano-texture finish designed to reduce glare and reflections.