Apple Launch Event 2026: iPhone Duo foldable unveiled, iPhone 18 Pro, AirPods 5, Watch Series 12 launched

That’s a wrap on Apple’s September 2026 event. Apple unveiled its first-ever foldable iPhone Duo, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, AirPods 5 and Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4. The event also showcased Apple’s push into on-device AI, with deeper Apple Intelligence and Siri integration, while the new iPhones bring major camera, battery and performance upgrades.

Apple says the iPhone Duo can deliver up to 31 hours of video playback on the inner display and up to 44 hours on the outer display. It supports fast charging to 50% in around 20 minutes.

The foldable features a 48MP Fusion main camera, a 2X optical-quality telephoto camera and a 48MP Fusion ultrawide camera. It also supports 4K 120fps video and Dolby Vision HDR time-lapse.

A new Smart Take feature uses on-device models to follow a scene and automatically capture a photo when everyone is ready, while the outer display can act as a preview screen for group selfies.

The foldable iPhone is powered by A20 Pro silicon and Apple's new C2 cellular modem. Apple says the device delivers up to 35% higher sustained performance than the iPhone 12 and the C2 modem is up to 50% faster than C1X while using 15% less energy.

Apple has redesigned iOS for the foldable form factor, allowing users to run apps side-by-side, open two windows of the same app and use the large display in both portrait and landscape orientations.

Apple says the iPhone Duo will support Apple Pencil with USB-C on either display later this year, allowing users to take notes, sketch and mark up documents.

Apple has priced its first foldable iPhone Duo at ₹2,99,900 in India for the 256GB variant. The 512GB model is priced at ₹3,24,900, while the 1TB and 2TB variants cost ₹3,74,900 and ₹4,49,900, respectively. The Duo starts at $1,999 in the US.

The iPhone Duo opens into a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR display, which Apple says is 50% larger than the iPhone 18 Pro Max and 80% larger than the iPhone 18 Pro. It also features a 5.4-inch outer display.

Apple has unveiled the iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone, with prices starting at $1,999. It will be available in storage options ranging from 256GB to 2TB. Pre-orders begin October 16, with sales starting October 23.

The FaceTime camera is designed to sit discreetly behind the display, while a custom hinge supports the centre of the screen and keeps it flat when opened. The hinge also uses an integrated magnet array for closure.

The foldable iPhone features an aerospace-grade titanium frame, a redesigned hinge mechanism and Apple's largest iPhone display yet. Apple says it is also the thinnest iPhone it has ever made when opened.

Apple says Duo was designed around a larger display that feels natural and intuitive like an iPad, while remaining compact enough to fit in a pocket and be used comfortably in one hand.

Apple has introduced iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone, positioning it as a larger-screen device designed to combine the portability of an iPhone with the experience of a larger display.

Apple says the new health sensing system improves optical and electrical sensing, enabling more frequent heart-rate measurements. Background heart-rate readings can now be taken every five seconds, while HRV can be sampled as often as every five minutes.

A new Readiness feature analyses recent activity, vitals and sleep to provide users with a daily score indicating whether their body is ready to push harder or needs recovery.

Apple is adding Health Age, which uses metrics including VO2 max and sleep alongside blood-work biomarkers, and a new Longevity tab that assesses overall health across areas such as sleep, movement and heart health.

The 'Surprise and Shine' Apple event started off with a bang, with the Cupertino-based company taking the wraps off the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, and this year the biggest changes are not just about a faster chip or a new finish. The Pro models get a 48MP main camera with variable aperture, a new A20 Pro processor, a redesigned vapour chamber for sustained performance and a significant jump in battery life.

The camera is probably the most noticeable change. For the first time, Apple is giving the iPhone a variable-aperture main camera. The 48MP Fusion Main camera uses six laser-cut blades to move between apertures, automatically adjusting for lighting and depth of field. Users can also take control themselves, with four aperture settings available directly in the Camera app.

Apple says the new sensor and computational photography system should improve low-light images and bring sharper detail to photographs, including subjects further back in a group shot.

Read more: https://www.fortuneindia.com/technology/apple-event-2026-iphone-18-pro-series-gets-variable-aperture-camera-a20-pro-chip-and-major-battery-boost/158425

Apple has introduced the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, featuring new health sensors and Apple silicon aimed at expanding health, fitness and intelligence capabilities.

AirPods 5 integrate more deeply with Apple Intelligence, allowing users to access Siri AI hands-free and use features such as live translation through their iPhone.

Apple says AirPods 5 offer up to four hours of listening with ANC, extending to up to 20 hours with the charging case.

Apple has also introduced a higher-end AirPods 5 variant with wireless charging, longer battery life and stem-based volume controls. It is priced at $149, with pre-orders starting today and availability from September 18.

Apple has introduced AirPods 5 with an open-ear design, improved audio architecture and Active Noise Cancellation. Apple says the new model delivers 50% more noise reduction than the previous generation.

Apple has priced the iPhone 18 Pro starting at $1,199, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299. The Pro models also get a new 2TB storage option.

Apple says the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will be available for pre-order from September 12, with both models going on sale September 18.

Apple says the iPhone 18 Pro can securely sign photo data at the pixel level at the time of capture, helping users verify the authenticity of an image. The company says the feature is aimed particularly at photographers and photojournalists.

Apple is expanding Photographic Styles with new texture and grain controls, allowing users to fine-tune the look of images while adjusting colour and texture.

The iPhone 18 Pro can now apply cinematic-style effects to regular video after it has been recorded. Apple is also adding 4K Dolby Vision HDR time-lapse and improved audio recording algorithms.

The new Pro Controls let users manually adjust settings including aperture, shutter speed and white balance, while a histogram provides greater control over exposure. Apple says the tools are designed to give photographers and filmmakers more creative control.

Apple has introduced its biggest camera upgrade in years with a new 48MP Fusion main camera featuring variable aperture. The aperture can automatically open to let in around 50% more light in darker conditions or narrow to increase depth of field for sharper group shots.

The new thermal system combines a redesigned vapour chamber, recycled stainless steel and thermally conductive graphite, alongside a new material designed to move heat away from the display more efficiently. Apple says this enables up to 40% higher sustained performance compared with the iPhone 17 Pro.

Apple is also boosting wired charging on the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. The company says the phones can reach 50% charge in around 15 minutes, while just five minutes of faster wired charging can provide around six hours of video playback.

Apple says the iPhone 18 Pro offers up to 36 hours of video playback, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max reaches 45 hours, marking the biggest battery-life increase ever on an iPhone.

Apple says its new thermal management system delivers the highest sustained performance ever on an iPhone, with up to a 40% gain over the iPhone 17 Pro. The iPhone 18 Pro also gets improved battery efficiency, with the Pro Max offering up to 45 hours of video playback.

Apple says the A20 Pro features its widest memory interface ever shipped in an iPhone, with a 50% increase in memory bandwidth to support the chip’s CPU, GPU and Neural Engine performance.

The A20 Pro comes with a new 7-core GPU, with Apple claiming up to a 40% increase in performance. The company says the upgrade is aimed at demanding workloads including high-end gaming, image generation and on-device AI.

Apple says Siri AI can understand personal context and perform actions across apps, while developers can integrate its capabilities into third-party applications. Apple Intelligence will initially support 16 languages, with additional Siri AI language support coming in October.

Apple is expanding Apple Intelligence across everyday iPhone functions, including Safari, Shortcuts, Phone, Photos and Image Playground. Users can create personalised automations, surface relevant information during calls and generate or edit images using AI.

Apple has introduced its new A20 Pro silicon for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, built to power advanced on-device AI and Siri AI. The chip features a new 6-core CPU, 7-core GPU and 32-core Neural Engine, with Apple claiming up to 20% faster CPU performance and up to 40% faster graphics performance.

Apple says the new on-device model powering iPhone 18 Pro enables more expressive Siri voices, with users able to choose between multiple options and customise their pace and expressivity.

Apple is showcasing a more capable and personal Siri that can understand users' personal context, work across apps and take actions on their behalf. Apple says the upgraded Siri can search across apps such as Mail and Messages to understand personal information and answer questions based on a user's context.

The iPhone 18 Pro has been designed to take full advantage of Apple Intelligence, including the company's most advanced on-device model yet and more powerful models through Private Cloud Compute.

Apple says the iPhone 18 Pro features a more cohesive design combining colour-infused aluminium and back glass. The lineup comes in deep black, silver, glacier and a new burgundy finish.

Apple has officially introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, promising major upgrades across intelligence, performance, battery life and cameras.

John Ternus has unveiled the next-generation iPhone, positioning it at the centre of Apple’s ecosystem of AI-powered experiences. The Apple CEO highlighted on-device intelligence, Private Cloud Compute and seamless integration across Apple devices before introducing the new iPhone.

The countdown is on! Apple’s biggest event of the year is just minutes away, with all eyes on Cupertino as John Ternus takes the stage for the first major product launch of his tenure as CEO.

Apple’s September 9 event, titled “Surprise and Shine”, will be Ternus’ first major public appearance as the company’s chief executive after taking over from Tim Cook on September 1. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, along with what could be its first foldable iPhone. A revamped Siri and new Apple Watch and AirPods models are also expected to feature at the event.

But before Ternus takes the stage, it is worth looking back at what Apple’s two most consequential modern CEOs said when they first stepped up to present the company’s products.

Read more: https://www.fortuneindia.com/technology/before-john-ternus-first-apple-keynote-heres-what-steve-jobs-and-tim-cook-said-in-theirs/158181

Apple’s online store has temporarily gone offline ahead of its “Surprise and Shine” event, displaying a “Be right back” message as the company prepares to update the storefront with its latest product announcements. The move is a customary pre-launch step for Apple and comes just hours before the event, where the company is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, along with its much-anticipated first foldable iPhone.

Apple could finally enter the foldables space this week. The Cupertino-based company is expected to showcase its first foldable iPhone at its September 9 event alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Apple has not confirmed this, but reports suggest that the device, potentially called the iPhone Ultra, will be positioned as a premium book-style foldable.

The timing puts Apple at the centre of an increasingly crowded premium foldable market. Huawei has launched its latest tri-fold smartphone, the Mate XT2, in China today, while Xiaomi is also expected to unveil a new foldable shortly. Samsung, meanwhile, remains the largest player in the global market after years of developing its Galaxy Z Fold line.

Read more: https://www.fortuneindia.com/technology/how-apples-foldable-iphone-could-reshape-market/157862