In its latest hardware reveal, Apple launched the iPhone Duo, its first foldable phone, upgraded the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, enhanced the Apple Watch, and rolled out a new Siri AI experience, signaling significant advances in design, performance, and AI integration.
- Apple’s first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, features a 7.7-inch landscape folding screen.
- iPhone 18 Pro models introduce improved thermal design and enhanced camera functions.
- Siri AI launches as a beta app with global language support coming in October.
What happened
Apple revealed its first folding smartphone named the iPhone Duo, a device that folds like a book with a vertical magnetic hinge. The Duo features a 5.3-inch outer screen and a 7.7-inch inner display, housed in a titanium frame with a custom polymer screen for durability. It runs on the new A20 Pro chip and supports Apple Pencil Pro, aiming to deliver a premium foldable experience. Notably, it uses TouchID instead of Face ID and boasts an impressive battery life of up to 44 hours on the smaller screen alone.
Alongside the Duo, Apple introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max models that maintain a similar design to their predecessors but with refined size and enhanced internals. These phones incorporate a new silicon casing around the A20 Pro chip linked to an advanced vapor chamber for better heat dissipation. Battery life improves to up to 45 hours for video playback, and wireless charging speeds have doubled. Apple also unveiled updates to the Apple Watch line and the fifth generation of AirPods, while enhancing Siri AI with a standalone beta app launching initially in English.
Why it matters
The introduction of the iPhone Duo marks Apple’s entry into the foldable device segment after years of market development by competitors. While it comes at a high price premium starting at $1,999, Apple’s focus on design excellence, robust build materials, and software integration positions the Duo as a top-tier option for consumers wanting a flexible and powerful smartphone experience. The inclusion of features like Apple Pencil Pro support and landscape-formatted app compatibility suggest Apple aims to blur lines between phone and tablet utility.
The iPhone 18 Pro lineup’s refined cooling system and longer battery endurance respond to growing user demands for sustained performance in mobile devices. Enhanced camera systems with adjustable apertures and faster wireless charging demonstrate Apple’s continuing investment in imaging and convenience. Meanwhile, the rollout of Siri’s AI capabilities as a dedicated app foreshadows a new ecosystem of AI-powered interactions, providing Apple a fresh competitive edge in voice assistant technology beyond traditional smartphone functions.
What to watch next
Apple has not yet announced the base-model iPhone 18 or detailed updates to iPads, Macs, or the Vision Pro headset at this event, indicating these product lines may see refreshes in upcoming months. Early 2027 releases for the standard iPhone 18 are likely, completing the new generation rollout. Observers should monitor Apple’s pricing and positioning strategies in the foldable segment, especially how the Duo competes against established Android foldables on both features and ecosystem integration.
The expansion of Siri AI to additional languages in October will be critical for adoption and user feedback on its practical capabilities. Developers and consumers alike will be keen to explore how AI enhancements influence app experiences across Apple devices. Additionally, the impact of Apple’s new thermal design on device longevity and performance under real-world conditions warrants close attention as users test the limits of the updated iPhone 18 Pro series in daily use.