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Apple Unveils iPhone Duo and Other Devices at September Event
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In Short: The event also saw the introduction of several new home devices, aligning with Apple's strategy to integrate these devices into its ecosystem.
Apple officially announced its next product event, set for September 9, where it unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro lineup and its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo.
The iPhone Duo, priced starting at $1,999, marks a significant shift in Apple's hardware strategy, joining a market that has seen competition from Asian smartphone makers for years.
Alongside the iPhone Duo, Apple also announced new Mac mini and Mac Studio desktop hardware, set for release on September 22.
The event, titled 'Surprise and Shine,' began at 10 AM Pacific Time on September 9, which is 9 PM in the UAE.
Apple prefaced the reveal of the iPhone Duo with a denunciation of foldables that open into a square aspect ratio, emphasizing its commitment to a design that opens like a book, creating a larger display while remaining pocketable when closed.
The iPhone Duo features a dual-camera system, though reports suggest it may not match the advanced camera setup found on Apple's Pro models.
In addition to the iPhone Duo, Apple unveiled the new flagship Apple Watch Series 12, some new AirPods, and the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.
According to a CNET survey, US adults are only willing to spend an average of $781 on a foldable iPhone, which is less than the price of the base model iPhone 17 ($799).
Apple’s keynote began with CEO John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook on September 1, marking the start of a new era for the tech giant.
The cameras in the iPhone 18 Pro lineup improve upon the already dominant iPhone 13 Pro’s arrays, especially in low light and telephoto performance.
The event also featured a new feature called “Portrait lighting” that allows users to adjust the lighting on their photos in real time, leading to some exceedingly dramatic shots.
Apple confirmed that the glass backs on the new devices are as durable as the glass on spaceships, addressing concerns about shatter-prone glass backs.
What this adds
Apple's entry into the foldable market is expected to have a significant impact, as it carries more weight than previous foldable phones from other companies.
The iPhone Duo's price point of $1,999 is notably higher than the average US adult's willingness to spend $781 on a foldable iPhone, indicating a premium market positioning.
Background
Smart home products, often seen as iPhone accessories, will also be part of the event, aligning with Apple's strategy to integrate these devices into its ecosystem.
Apple launched its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, priced starting at $1,999, marking a significant shift in hardware strategy.
What's confirmed
- Apple officially announced its next product event, set for September 9, where it unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro lineup and its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo.
- The iPhone Duo, priced starting at $1,999, marks a significant shift in Apple's hardware strategy, joining a market that has seen competition from Asian smartphone makers for years.
- Alongside the iPhone Duo, Apple also announced new Mac mini and Mac Studio desktop hardware, set for release on September 22.
- The event, titled 'Surprise and Shine,' began at 10 AM Pacific Time on September 9, which is 9 PM in the UAE.
- Apple prefaced the reveal of the iPhone Duo with a denunciation of foldables that open into a square aspect ratio, emphasizing its commitment to a design that opens like a book, creating a larger display while remaining pocketable when closed.
- The iPhone Duo features a dual-camera system, though reports suggest it may not match the advanced camera setup found on Apple's Pro models.
- In addition to the iPhone Duo, Apple unveiled the new flagship Apple Watch Series 12, some new AirPods, and the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.
- According to a CNET survey, US adults are only willing to spend an average of $781 on a foldable iPhone, which is less than the price of the base model iPhone 17 ($799).
- Apple’s keynote began with CEO John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook on September 1, marking the start of a new era for the tech giant.
- The cameras in the iPhone 18 Pro lineup improve upon the already dominant iPhone 13 Pro’s arrays, especially in low light and telephoto performance.
- The event also featured a new feature called “Portrait lighting” that allows users to adjust the lighting on their photos in real time, leading to some exceedingly dramatic shots.
- Apple confirmed that the glass backs on the new devices are as durable as the glass on spaceships, addressing concerns about shatter-prone glass backs.
What's still developing
- Other companies have had foldable phones for years, but none of those carry the weight of a foldable iPhone.
- But a week in, and I already feel like I couldn’t go back to the regular, non-foldable iPhone.
- Apple’s iPhone 14 lineup delivers on a bunch of different vectors this year with very few peccadillos or complaints.
- 25% off tickets now Back by popular demand: Save up to $300 on Disrupt It’s finally happening — this week, we are (probably) about to see Apple’s first foldable iPhone, more than five years after Samsung launched its first foldable phone.
- If Apple has made its consumers wait over half a decade for it to enter the foldable market, its first attempt had better be good — especially since reports indicate that the phone will cost more than $2,000.
- However, even before Apple’s announcement and the official reveal of the supposed iPhone Ultra, Chinese phone makers are attempting to hog the limelight with their similarly, or more, impressive foldables.
- Apple confirmed back in April that Cook was stepping down after 15 years as CEO, handing the role to John Ternus, who was previously Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, effective 1 September.
- Also: Apple event 2026 live updates: The first foldable iPhone and more in real time Whether you already have the 17 Pro and are considering trading it in for a brand-new one or you want to upgrade from an older iPhone to a newer one, I’ll help you break down the key differences between the two models.
- Google also announced the availability of its new AI-powered laptop, the Googlebook, for preorder at $899, following its unveiling in May.
- Based on Apple’s typical schedule, expect pre-orders to start on Friday, September 11 (or possibly Saturday, September 12, to avoid 9/11), with devices arriving on September 19.
- Consider Oppo’s Find X9 Ultra, which launched at around US$1,100 (S$1,393) – some US$100 cheaper than the iPhone 17 Pro Max – with a 200-megapixel main camera plus dual periscope zoom lenses, a 7,050mAh battery and 100W wired charging.
- 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.