Apple has wrapped up one of its most exciting September events in years. At the presentation on September 9, 2026, the company unveiled not only the next generation of the iPhone Pro, but also finally entered the foldable phone market after years of speculation. The star of the evening was the iPhone Duo—the first foldable iPhone in history. It was also the first major product event under new CEO John Ternus.
Apple unveiled the foldable iPhone Duo, the new iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5. The biggest announcement was undoubtedly the Duo, with its 7.6-inch internal display, Apple Pencil support and a starting price of €2,339. The new Pro iPhones received the A20 Pro chip, a variable-aperture camera and significantly better battery life.
iPhone Duo is the first foldable iPhone
After years in which Samsung, Google, Honor, Huawei and other manufacturers steadily refined their foldable phones, Apple is now joining them. But not with a small clamshell device. The iPhone Duo opens like a book, transforming from a phone into a device that approaches a small tablet in both size and use.
When closed, the iPhone Duo has a 5.4-inch external Super Retina XDR display. Opening it reveals a 7.6-inch foldable Super Retina XDR panel. Both displays feature ProMotion with refresh rates of up to 120Hz and peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits. The internal display also has a nano-texture finish designed to reduce reflections.
A phone, tablet and compact stand in one
Apple is not using the large display merely to enlarge a single app. iOS 27 includes new modes for the Duo and support for using multiple apps side by side. The phone can be used unfolded horizontally or vertically, partially closed and placed on a table, or propped up like a small portable display.
Practical uses include video calls, watching videos, following on-screen workouts or working with two apps at once. Apple demonstrated examples including a wider Slack interface and video calls, while the larger display is clearly also aimed at people who currently use an iPad for similar tasks.
The frame and hinge cover are made from grade 5 titanium. Ceramic Shield protects the exterior, and the device has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. Apple also says it engineered the internal display and its individual layers to make the crease as subtle as possible.
Touch ID replaces Face ID
One surprise is the biometric security system. Unlike Apple's other premium iPhones, the iPhone Duo does not use conventional Face ID. Instead, it brings back Touch ID, integrated directly into the side button.
The reason makes some sense for a foldable device: the phone can be held and used in many different positions, and the fingerprint sensor works the same way whether the Duo is closed, fully open or resting on a table.
The iPhone finally supports Apple Pencil
An even more unusual addition is that Apple Pencil will no longer be exclusive to the iPad. The iPhone Duo will support Apple Pencil with USB-C, although Apple says support will arrive later in the year.
Combined with the 7.6-inch display, this pushes the Duo even further into the space between an iPhone and an iPad mini. A stylus would make little sense on a conventional phone, but on the unfolded Duo it could be useful for taking notes, drawing or working more precisely in apps.
Two 48MP cameras and an under-display camera
The rear features two 48MP cameras: a Fusion main camera and a Fusion ultra-wide camera. There is no telephoto lens, so the iPhone 18 Pro remains the better-equipped model for photography.
The external Center Stage front camera has a 12MP resolution, while the internal display houses another FaceTime camera hidden beneath the screen. Duo Preview makes interesting use of the two displays by allowing the person being photographed to see the final composition on the external display before the picture is taken.
Apple has also added a feature for photographing children, displaying animations on the external screen to draw their attention toward the camera. For group photos, Smart Take monitors when everyone is ready and can automatically capture the shot.
A20 Pro, two batteries and the C2 modem
Inside is the new A20 Pro chip with a six-core CPU, seven-core GPU and two 16-core Neural Engines. Cooling is handled by a vapor chamber, so Apple clearly does not want the Duo to be merely a flashy foldable phone with limited performance.
The battery design is also interesting. Apple uses two batteries, one in each half of the device. The company claims up to 31 hours of video playback on the internal display and up to 44 hours when using the external display. Fast wired charging should bring the battery to around 50% in 20 minutes.
The Duo is also eSIM-only worldwide and uses Apple's new C2 modem. Apple is therefore continuing to replace Qualcomm modems gradually with its own hardware.
How much does the iPhone Duo cost?
It certainly will not be a cheap experimental gadget. The Spanish Apple Store, which provides useful euro pricing, lists the following options:
- 256GB—€2,339
- 512GB—€2,589
- 1TB—€3,089
- 2TB—€3,839
Final retailer prices in Slovakia may vary slightly. Pre-orders are due to begin on October 16, 2026, with sales starting on October 23.
iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max: less revolutionary, but packed with practical changes
Next to the Duo, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max look almost conservative. In reality, however, they have received several changes that could prove more important in everyday use than a new design.
The two sizes remain unchanged: 6.3 inches for the iPhone 18 Pro and 6.9 inches for the Pro Max. Apple will offer black, silver, glacier and a new burgundy finish. The displays continue to support ProMotion at up to 120Hz, but the Dynamic Island is smaller and can display more Live Activities simultaneously.
Variable aperture finally comes to the iPhone
The biggest camera upgrade is the 48MP Fusion main camera with a physically variable aperture. The user or automatic system can choose between f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8 and f/4.
A wider aperture allows more light to reach the sensor and helps in low-light conditions. A narrower aperture increases depth of field, allowing more of the scene to remain in focus. Apple is bringing a feature commonly found in traditional cameras to a phone, where it remains relatively rare.
The three 48MP rear cameras remain: main, ultra-wide and telephoto. The telephoto camera offers up to 8x optical-quality zoom, while the front-facing Center Stage camera has an 18MP resolution.
Apple wants to distinguish real photographs from AI-generated images
One interesting new feature is Apple Reference Image. When the shutter is pressed, the phone can cryptographically sign the image data, making it possible to verify later what the camera sensor actually captured.
At a time when it is increasingly easy to create realistic photographs using generative AI or substantially alter existing photos, verifiable image provenance could become quite important. Apple warns, however, that the feature will not be available in every region, with the European Union among the exceptions.
A20 Pro and significantly better battery life
The iPhone 18 Pro also uses the A20 Pro with a new vapor-chamber cooling system. Apple has also redesigned the placement of the chip and memory to dissipate heat more effectively.
The Pro Max sees the biggest improvement in battery life. Apple claims up to 45 hours of video playback, around six hours more than the previous generation. Fast wired charging should bring the phone to approximately 50% in 15 minutes.
iPhone 18 Pro pricing
Official prices for the Spanish Apple Store are also available. The base iPhone 18 Pro with 256GB of storage starts at €1,469, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max with the same capacity starts at €1,619. Both versions can be configured with up to 2TB of storage.
Pre-orders will begin on September 12, with sales starting on September 18, 2026.
Apple Watch Series 12 places a much greater emphasis on health
At first glance, the Apple Watch Series 12 does not represent as dramatic a leap as the Duo, but the way the watch collects health data has changed internally.
The new Health Sensing System uses redesigned optical and electrical sensors. It can measure heart rate roughly every five seconds throughout the day and assesses HRV, or heart rate variability, much more frequently than the previous generation. Apple says it tested the new system on more than a thousand participants and that it delivered the most accurate heart-rate measurements among the wearable devices compared in its study.
Readiness shows how prepared you are for the day ahead
The new Readiness feature combines recent physical activity, sleep, vital signs and other data into a single score from 0 to 10. The watch then displays a recommendation such as Recover, Pace Yourself, Ready or Go For It.
It is not simply a score calculated in the morning. It can change throughout the day based on new data, such as after a strenuous workout or an unusual change in vital signs.
Series 12 remains available in 42mm and 46mm sizes, and a ceramic version is returning alongside the aluminum and titanium models.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 continues in the same direction
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 has received the same new Health Sensing System and S11 chip, but it remains more focused on sport, outdoor activities and users who need greater durability and longer battery life.
It also gains Readiness, more frequent heart-rate and HRV monitoring, and new features powered by Apple Intelligence. Apple is also expanding the Health app on the iPhone with longer-term data analysis, including a new Longevity section and a Health Age metric.
AirPods 5 bring ANC to the standard model
AirPods 5 are another major upgrade. Apple is bringing active noise cancellation to the standard open-ear design without silicone ear tips.
According to Apple's internal testing, the new acoustic architecture can eliminate up to 50% more external noise than AirPods 4 with ANC. Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness have also been improved, with the latter automatically lowering playback volume when you begin speaking to someone.
Apple will sell two configurations. The higher-end version will include a wireless charging case, longer battery life and, finally, volume controls that work by swiping along the earbud stem. With ANC enabled, Apple claims around five hours of playback per charge and up to 22 hours in total with the charging case.
AirPods 5 also support Live Translation, allowing them to assist with conversations between people speaking different languages when paired with a compatible iPhone and Apple Intelligence. Pre-orders begin immediately, with sales starting on September 18.
iOS 27 arrives on September 14, but there is one major catch in Slovakia
The new iPhones will be closely integrated with iOS 27. The update will be available from September 14, 2026, bringing more Apple Intelligence features, smarter photo editing, new automation options and other system changes.
Siri AI was a major focus of the presentation. The new Siri is designed to understand natural conversation, work with the user's personal context, on-screen information and app data, and answer general questions. Apple is rolling it out gradually, starting with English.
For users in Slovakia, however, one detail is important: Siri AI will not be available on the iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch in the European Union at launch. Apple cites regulatory reasons related to European rules. Standard Apple Intelligence features are not automatically blocked as a result, but the biggest AI addition to the new iPhones will not yet reach Slovakia in its full form.
And where is the regular iPhone 18?
Nowhere. At least for now.
At its September event, Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone Duo, but the standard iPhone 18 was missing from the stage. For the first time, the company has significantly split its traditional annual phone release cycle, focusing the autumn presentation primarily on premium devices.
Apple also did not confirm an exact release date for the standard iPhone 18 during the presentation, so any more specific dates remain unconfirmed for now.
The Duo is undoubtedly the evening's most important product
The iPhone 18 Pro is better than its predecessor in virtually every expected area. It has a more powerful chip, improved cooling, longer battery life and a more interesting main camera. Apple Watch has gained significantly more sophisticated health monitoring, while AirPods 5 bring ANC to a more affordable part of the lineup.
The iPhone Duo, however, is a completely different story. For the first time since the iPhone X launched in 2017, Apple is fundamentally changing the idea of what its phone can look like and how it can work. Closed, it is a relatively compact iPhone. Opened, it offers a 7.6-inch workspace for two apps, video, games or Apple Pencil.
Whether that is worth at least €2,339 is another question entirely. From a technological perspective, however, it is the device that overshadowed practically everything else unveiled at Apple Event 2026.
Watch the full Apple Event 2026
Apple has published the complete recording of the presentation at which it unveiled the iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, new Apple Watch models and AirPods 5.
Sources
- Apple—iPhone Duo and comparison with iPhone 18 Pro, technical specifications and European pricing
Apple—iPhone Duo - Apple—Apple Watch: new health and fitness features
Apple—Apple advances health and fitness capabilities using Apple Intelligence - Apple—AirPods 5 with active noise cancellation
Apple—Apple introduces AirPods 5 - Reuters—Apple debuts foldable iPhone Duo
Reuters—Apple debuts foldable phone called Duo
Robert
I’m interested in technology and history, especially true crime stories. For three years I ran a fact-based portal about modern history, and for a year I co-built a blogging platform where I published dozens of analytical articles. I founded offpitch so that quality content wouldn’t be hidden behind a paywall.
