Apple has finally made its move into the foldable smartphone market.

The technology giant has unveiled the iPhone Duo, its first-ever foldable iPhone, bringing one of the biggest design changes to the iconic smartphone lineup in years.

The new device is designed to offer two very different experiences in one product. When closed, it works as a compact smartphone with a 5.4-inch display. Open it up, however, and the iPhone Duo transforms into a much larger device with a 7.6-inch inner display built for entertainment, gaming and multitasking.

According to Apple, the iPhone Duo represents a major new chapter for the iPhone.

“iPhone Duo is the most transformational change to iPhone since the original,” said John Ternus, CEO of Apple.

Two displays, one completely different iPhone experience

The most striking feature of the iPhone Duo is, naturally, its foldable design.

When folded, users get a 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR outer display, offering a compact experience designed for everyday tasks. Once unfolded, the phone reveals a massive 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR display, creating Apple’s largest screen ever on an iPhone.

The larger display is designed to make multitasking more practical, while also providing a more immersive experience for watching videos, playing games and browsing the web.

Both displays feature ProMotion, Always-On functionality and up to 3,000 nits of peak outdoor brightness.

Apple has also introduced a nano-texture finish designed to reduce glare and reflections while making the display more comfortable to use in bright environments.

Later this year, the company says the iPhone Duo will also support the Apple Pencil with USB-C, allowing users to take notes, sketch and annotate documents directly on either display.

Apple bets heavily on durability with a new hinge

Foldable smartphones have always raised one major question among buyers: how durable is the folding mechanism?

Apple appears to have made durability one of the central focuses of the iPhone Duo.

The device is constructed using grade 5 titanium, while its hinge contains more than 100 components designed to provide a controlled and smooth folding experience.

The iPhone Duo also features Ceramic Shield protection, with Ceramic Shield 2 on the front offering improved scratch resistance.

Apple says the phone carries an IP68 rating for resistance against water and dust.

Inside the folding display, the company has used multiple layers designed to reduce stress created by repeated opening and closing. A custom polymer cover layer and reinforced internal structure are intended to make the large flexible screen more durable for everyday use.

A20 Pro brings flagship-level performance

Under the hood, the iPhone Duo is powered by Apple’s new A20 Pro processor, the same chip used in the iPhone 18 Pro models.

The chip is paired with a custom vapor chamber for improved thermal management, something that should become particularly useful when users are gaming, multitasking or running demanding AI features.

According to Apple, the A20 Pro delivers significant improvements over the previous generation, including:

• Up to 20 percent faster CPU performance
• Up to 40 percent faster and more efficient GPU performance
• A new Dual 16-core Neural Engine
• Up to two times more computing power for on-device AI
• Built using advanced 2-nanometer technology

Apple says the new architecture also improves sustained performance, making the iPhone Duo better suited to demanding workloads over longer periods.

The foldable design creates new camera possibilities

The iPhone Duo features a powerful camera system built around a 48MP Fusion Main camera.

Users can capture full-resolution photographs, while the main camera also provides a 2x optical-quality Telephoto option.

The phone additionally includes a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera, supporting wide-angle photography and macro shots.

But the most interesting part of the camera experience comes from the folding design itself.

Because the iPhone Duo has displays on both sides, Apple has introduced several new ways to capture photographs.

Smart Take and Duo Preview

With Smart Take, on-device AI can analyse a scene and automatically capture photographs when subjects are ready.

Duo Preview, meanwhile, allows people being photographed to see themselves on the outer display while the photographer uses the main camera.

Users can also take selfies using the higher-resolution rear cameras and preview the shot on the external screen.

Another playful feature called Kid Cue displays animations to help capture the attention of children during photographs.

The folding design also introduces Duo FaceTime, allowing people physically sitting with the user to participate more comfortably in a video call.

iOS 27 has been redesigned for the folding screen

The arrival of the iPhone Duo has also pushed Apple to rethink how iOS 27 works.

The operating system dynamically adapts as the phone is opened, folded, rotated or flipped.

The larger inner display supports new productivity features, including Split View, allowing users to run two apps side by side on an iPhone for the first time.

Users can also open multiple windows of supported apps, quickly switch between applications and save app combinations for later use.

Major third-party platforms, including Netflix, Zoom and Slack, are already adapting their applications to take advantage of the larger foldable display.

For users who want a smartphone that can occasionally behave more like a compact tablet, this could be one of the iPhone Duo’s biggest advantages.

Apple Intelligence and Siri AI take centre stage

Artificial intelligence is another major part of the iPhone Duo experience.

The device supports Apple Intelligence and the newly introduced Siri AI, designed to make Apple’s digital assistant more conversational and context-aware.

Siri AI can use personal context to help users locate information across messages, emails and photographs, while also understanding what is currently displayed on the screen.

The new system can potentially take actions based on onscreen content and help users complete tasks without constantly switching between applications.

Apple says its AI approach continues to focus heavily on privacy through a combination of on-device processing and Private Cloud Compute.

Other AI-powered features include improved photo editing tools, upgraded Clean Up functionality, Spatial Reframing and enhanced creative tools inside Image Playground.

Battery life looks impressive on paper

Apple has adopted a dual-battery architecture inside the iPhone Duo, using battery cells on both sides of the device.

The company says its energy-management system allows the two batteries to operate together efficiently.

Apple claims the device can offer:

• Up to 31 hours of video playback using the inner display
• Up to 44 hours of video playback using the outer display
• Up to 24 hours of mixed everyday use

The phone also supports fast charging, with Apple claiming it can reach 50 percent charge in around 20 minutes with a compatible wired charger.

Wireless charging is also supported through MagSafe and Qi2 technology.

An eSIM-only future

The iPhone Duo adopts an eSIM-only design worldwide, removing the traditional physical SIM card tray.

Apple says this approach helps free up valuable internal space while offering greater flexibility and improved security.

The device supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread connectivity through Apple’s new N1 wireless networking chip.

Apple has also introduced its next-generation C2 cellular modem system, which brings additional improvements to mobile connectivity and reliability.

Colours, availability and launch dates

The iPhone Duo will be available in two colours:

• Star White
• Night Sky

Pre-orders for Apple’s first foldable iPhone will begin on Friday, October 16, with official availability starting on Friday, October 23.

Apple’s boldest iPhone experiment yet?

The iPhone Duo is more than simply another annual iPhone upgrade.

It represents Apple’s entry into a completely new product category and signals that the company believes foldable devices are finally ready for mainstream consumers.

With its massive 7.6-inch inner display, compact outer screen, titanium construction, advanced cameras, powerful A20 Pro processor and AI-focused software, the device brings together many of Apple’s biggest technologies in one ambitious product.

Whether the iPhone Duo becomes the next defining chapter in the history of the iPhone remains to be seen.

But one thing is already clear: Apple is no longer watching the foldable smartphone market from the sidelines.

With the arrival of the iPhone Duo, the foldable iPhone era has officially begun.

NEW DELHI: Apple has officially revealed the prices of its new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in India. The premium smartphones bring major camera, performance and battery upgrades, but their higher starting prices could force many buyers to think carefully before upgrading.

There is another surprise hidden in Apple’s latest announcement: the company has not launched a standard iPhone 18 alongside the two Pro models. As a result, there is currently no official iPhone 18 price or confirmed availability date.

Instead, Apple’s new smartphone lineup is led by the iPhone 18 Pro series and the company’s first foldable handset, the iPhone Duo.

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iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max prices

The iPhone 18 Pro begins at 1,64,900 for the 256GB variant. Buyers choosing the larger iPhone 18 Pro Max will need to spend at least 1,79,900.

Here is the complete pricing structure announced by Apple:

Model	Storage	Price in India
iPhone 18	Not announced	Price not revealed
iPhone 18 Pro	256GB	₹1,64,900
iPhone 18 Pro	512GB	₹1,89,900
iPhone 18 Pro	1TB	₹2,39,900
iPhone 18 Pro	2TB	₹3,14,900
iPhone 18 Pro Max	256GB	₹1,79,900
iPhone 18 Pro Max	512GB	₹2,04,900
iPhone 18 Pro Max	1TB	₹2,54,900
iPhone 18 Pro Max	2TB	₹3,29,900

In the United States, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max carries a starting price of $1,299. Both base configurations now include 256GB of storage.

What happened to the standard iPhone 18?

Apple’s decision not to introduce the regular iPhone 18 is likely to raise questions among buyers who want a new-generation iPhone without paying Pro-level prices.

The company has not announced the standard model’s price, specifications or release date. Apple’s current Indian lineup continues to include the iPhone 17, which now starts at 99,900, along with the iPhone 17e and iPhone Air.

Reports have suggested that Apple could be moving towards a split-launch strategy, with the standard iPhone 18 arriving separately from the premium models. Until Apple makes an official announcement, however, its price and launch timeline should be treated as unconfirmed.

For now, customers searching for an “iPhone 18 price in India” should note that only the Pro and Pro Max models have been launched under the iPhone 18 branding.

Why are the Pro models so expensive?

The new prices reflect Apple’s increasingly premium approach to its Pro lineup. Both phones are powered by the A20 Pro chip and feature a redesigned cooling system for improved performance during demanding tasks.

The biggest hardware upgrade is a 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture. The lens can adjust the amount of light entering the camera, helping users capture brighter low-light photographs and control depth of field more naturally.

Apple has also added three 48MP rear cameras, manual Pro camera controls and up to 8x optical-quality zoom. The system is aimed at both everyday users and professional creators who shoot photographs and videos on their phones.

The iPhone 18 Pro features a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display, while the Pro Max has a larger 6.9-inch panel. Both support ProMotion technology, an Always-On display and a redesigned Dynamic Island.

Battery life could be the Pro Max’s strongest advantage

The iPhone 18 Pro Max offers Apple’s longest battery life on an iPhone. The Indian version is rated for up to 43 hours of video playback, while the standard Pro model offers a smaller display and battery.

Faster wired charging is included as well. Apple says the phones can reach approximately 50 per cent charge in around 15 minutes when used with a compatible power adapter.

The combination of a larger battery, improved thermal management and the efficiency of the A20 Pro chip could make the Pro Max particularly attractive to gamers, travellers and content creators.

Siri AI becomes part of the package

Both phones run iOS 27 and support Apple Intelligence and Siri AI. Apple’s upgraded assistant is designed to understand personal context, recognise information displayed on the screen and perform actions across supported applications.

Many AI tasks can be processed directly on the device, allowing Apple to continue positioning privacy as a major difference between its intelligence features and competing cloud-based services.

Pre-order and sale dates in India

Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will begin in India at 5:30 pm IST on September 12. Both models will become available through Apple’s online store, physical stores and authorised retailers from September 18.

The phones are offered in four finishes: black, silver, glacier and burgundy.

Apple is also advertising up to six months of no-cost EMI and instant cashback of up to ₹7,000 on selected models when customers use eligible cards. The final benefit will depend on the model, payment method and offer conditions.

For buyers, the choice is unusually clear this year: pay at least ₹1.65 lakh for the latest Pro experience, consider the existing iPhone 17, or wait to discover what Apple has planned for the still-missing standard iPhone 18.

CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA: Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, placing professional photography, artificial intelligence and sustained performance at the heart of its latest flagship smartphones.

The headline upgrade is a new 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture—a feature that gives users greater control over light, focus and depth of field. Apple has also equipped the phones with its new A20 Pro chip, a next-generation vapour chamber, improved battery life and a smaller, more functional Dynamic Island.

Both models will run iOS 27 and bring together Apple Intelligence and Siri AI, turning the new Pro models into more context-aware personal devices while keeping privacy and on-device processing central to the experience.

The biggest camera change is hidden inside the lens

The most interesting addition to the iPhone 18 Pro lineup is its variable-aperture system. Instead of relying on a single fixed aperture, the 48MP Fusion Main camera can adjust the amount of light entering the lens and change how much of a scene remains in focus.

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The camera supports f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8 and f/4.0 aperture settings. A wider aperture can help produce brighter images in difficult lighting, while narrower settings allow photographers to retain more detail across a scene.

Apple says the system can adjust automatically, but experienced users will also be able to take manual control through the Camera app. New Pro controls include settings for aperture, shutter speed, white balance and histogram monitoring.

For most people, that technical change should translate into a simple benefit: better photographs in challenging situations without having to carry a dedicated camera. For professional creators, however, it opens the door to more deliberate image-making directly from a phone.

The rear camera system also includes a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera and a 48MP Fusion Telephoto camera, with up to 8x optical-quality zoom. Photographic Styles have been upgraded as well, allowing users to customise elements such as texture and grain alongside colour and tone.

Apple is giving video creators more control

The iPhone’s reputation among mobile filmmakers remains an important part of Apple’s Pro strategy. The new models support tools including ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2, genlock and 4K Dolby Vision recording at up to 120fps.

Users can also apply Cinematic mode effects after recording regular video. An improved Audio Mix feature is designed to separate voices or music from distracting background noise, while Dual Capture can record through the front and rear cameras simultaneously.

These additions suggest Apple is no longer treating the iPhone camera merely as a convenient everyday shooter. The company is increasingly positioning it as a compact production tool for filmmakers, journalists, musicians and online creators.

A20 Pro promises power without losing its cool

At the centre of both phones is the new A20 Pro chip, which Apple describes as its most powerful and efficient iPhone processor so far.

It works alongside a next-generation vapour chamber with three times the surface area of the previous cooling solution. According to Apple, the combination provides up to 40 per cent better sustained performance than the iPhone 17 Pro, which could make a noticeable difference during gaming, long video shoots and demanding AI tasks.

The chip also introduces a Dual 16-core Neural Engine and higher memory bandwidth for faster on-device intelligence. This additional processing capacity will be especially important as Apple expands AI features across photography, writing, communication and system-wide assistance.

Siri AI becomes a more personal assistant

With Siri AI, Apple is attempting to move its digital assistant beyond basic commands and reminders. The upgraded assistant can use personal context to provide more relevant responses and help users complete tasks across compatible apps.

Apple says privacy and security remain at the core of the experience. Many requests are processed directly on the device, reducing the amount of personal information that needs to leave the phone.

This deeper integration could become one of the most significant changes in everyday use, although its real value will depend on how reliably Siri AI understands requests and performs multi-step tasks. Apple says the feature is beginning its rollout in English.

iPhone 18 Pro Max sets a new battery benchmark

Battery life receives another major upgrade, particularly on the larger model. Apple claims the iPhone 18 Pro Max can deliver up to 45 hours of video playback and as much as 30 hours of mixed use on one charge.

Faster wired charging can take the battery to around 50 per cent in approximately 15 minutes when a compatible power adapter is used.

The improvement comes from a combination of a larger battery, the efficiency of A20 Pro and changes to the phone’s internal design. For buyers who regularly travel, record videos or play graphics-intensive games, the extra endurance may be just as important as the new camera.

Smaller Dynamic Island, four new finishes

Apple has redesigned the Dynamic Island to occupy less display space while presenting more useful information. It can show as many as three Live Activities simultaneously, including navigation directions, music controls and live sports updates.

The iPhone 18 Pro has a 6.3-inch display, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max uses a 6.9-inch panel. Both feature Super Retina XDR technology and ProMotion refresh rates of up to 120Hz.

The phones are built around an aluminium unibody and are available in black, silver, glacier and a new burgundy finish. Ceramic Shield protection is included on the front and back.

Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice-president of Worldwide Marketing, described the devices as the “best Pro iPhone we’ve ever made,” highlighting the company’s focus on camera, performance, battery life and intelligence.

Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will begin on Saturday, September 12, with general availability starting Friday, September 18.

With variable aperture offering meaningful photographic flexibility and Siri AI becoming more deeply integrated into the operating system, Apple’s latest Pro phones appear focused on something beyond routine annual upgrades: giving users more control over what the iPhone can see, understand and create.