Apple Debuts iPhone 18 Pro Series and First Foldable iPhone Duo

Apple has officially unveiled its latest flagship smartphone lineup, headlined by the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, alongside the company's first-ever foldable device, the iPhone Duo. The new hardware, powered by the 2-nanometer A20 Pro chip, arrives as part of a broader ecosystem update that includes the launch of iOS 27 on September 14. The iPhone 18 Pro series introduces significant camera advancements, including a variable aperture system, while the iPhone Duo marks Apple's entry into the foldable market with a dual-screen design and a titanium frame.

These releases represent a major shift in Apple's hardware strategy, combining high-performance silicon with new form factors and software-driven connectivity features. The rollout, which begins with pre-orders on September 12 and general availability on September 18, aims to address both the professional photography market and the growing demand for foldable mobile devices. The integration of the A20 Pro chip across the new lineup underscores Apple's focus on on-device artificial intelligence and sustained performance through advanced thermal management.

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max feature a new 48MP Fusion Main camera equipped with a variable aperture system, a first for the iPhone. This hardware uses six laser-cut blades to transition between aperture settings, allowing users to manually adjust depth of field and lighting control. Apple has also introduced Pro controls within the Camera app, providing photographers with manual access to shutter speed, white balance, and aperture settings, alongside a histogram for exposure monitoring.

Performance is driven by the A20 Pro chip, which is built on a 2-nanometer process. The chip includes a 6-core CPU, a 7-core GPU that is up to 40 percent faster than its predecessor, and a Dual 16-core Neural Engine. To maintain this performance, Apple has redesigned the vapor chamber, which now offers three times the surface area of the previous generation. The devices also feature the new C2 cellular modem, designed to improve upload speeds and energy efficiency.

Apple's first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, features a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR inner display and a 5.4-inch outer screen. The device is constructed with a Grade 5 titanium frame and a hinge mechanism comprising over 100 components. It maintains an IP68 water and dust resistance rating, a notable inclusion for a foldable device. The Duo is powered by the same A20 Pro chip found in the Pro series and supports a dual-battery system to manage power consumption across its two displays.

John Ternus, Apple's new chief executive officer, described the device as a significant evolution in the iPhone's history. The software experience on the Duo includes a Split View feature, allowing users to run two apps or two windows of the same app simultaneously. The device also supports the USB-C Apple Pencil, with compatibility scheduled for later in 2026. Global pre-orders for the iPhone Duo are set to begin on October 16, with initial market availability following on October 23.

Alongside the hardware launches, Apple is introducing iPhone Handoff in iOS 27. This feature allows users to seamlessly switch a single phone number between two iPhones, provided the carrier supports the companion-eSIM arrangement. The system designates one device as the main unit and the other as a companion, with the phone number becoming active on whichever device is currently in use. At launch, this feature will be supported by T-Mobile in the U.S. and Telekom Germany in Germany.

In addition to Handoff, iOS 27 includes updates to parental controls, faster AirDrop transfers, and refinements to the software design. The update also introduces Apple Reference Image, a feature that allows users to capture signed sensor data to verify the authenticity of photos. This feature is powered by Private Cloud Compute and is intended to provide a digital negative for photographers to confirm that an image has not been altered.

Apple is placing a renewed focus on image authenticity with the introduction of Apple Reference Image and upcoming support for the SynthID standard. These tools are designed to help users identify images that have been generated or edited with AI, a move that Apple describes as a multifaceted approach to digital integrity. The company has also emphasized its environmental goals, noting that the new iPhone 18 Pro models are built with 40 percent recycled content, including 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery.

Manufacturing for the new lineup utilizes 50 percent renewable energy across the supply chain. Apple continues to work toward its 2030 goal of carbon neutrality across its entire footprint. The packaging for the new devices remains 100 percent fiber-based, reflecting the company's ongoing efforts to reduce plastic usage and improve the recyclability of its products at the consumer level.

The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max begins at $1,299, with storage options ranging from 256GB to 2TB. In the Philippines, the iPhone Duo is priced starting at P159,990, while the iPhone 18 Pro starts at P99,990. Apple is offering trade-in credits for customers upgrading from older models, with specific carrier deals available in various regions.

Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max in more than 65 countries and regions begin on Saturday, September 12, with availability starting on Friday, September 18. An additional 20 countries will receive the devices on September 25. iOS 27 will be available as a free software update on Monday, September 14, bringing the new features to compatible devices worldwide.