Apple's First Foldable Phone, the iPhone Duo, Leads a Packed Fall Lineup
New iPhones, Apple Watches, AirPods and a smarter Health app all landed at once. Here is what each one does, what it costs, and whether it is worth your attention.
Key points
- Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo, its first foldable phone, starting at $1,999 with pre-orders opening October 16.
- The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, rising to $1,299 for the Pro Max, both available September 18.
- Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 gain an "Audio Intelligence" feature that can replay the last 15 seconds of a conversation as text.
- AirPods 5 start at $129 and cut background noise 50% better than the previous generation.
- A redesigned Apple Health app will add a personalised "Health Age" score and a Longevity tab later this year.
Apple held its annual fall event on Wednesday, the first under new chief executive John Ternus. The biggest item on the table was something Apple fans had been waiting years for: a phone that folds in half.
What is the iPhone Duo, and should you buy one?
The iPhone Duo is Apple's first foldable smartphone. Open it up and you get a 7.6-inch screen; fold it shut and the outer display measures 5.4 inches. Think of it like a small tablet that fits in your pocket.
Apple says the inner screen camera sits beneath the display itself, so there is no notch or hole interrupting your picture. Battery life is quoted at 31 hours of video on the inner screen and 44 hours on the outer one, which are strong numbers for a foldable. The main camera is 48 megapixels, and you can preview selfies on the outer screen using the rear cameras.
The hinge is grade-5 aluminium with more than 100 custom components. Apple clearly wants you to know it will not creak or wobble after six months.
Price check: $1,999 for 256GB. Pre-orders open 16 October, in stores 23 October.
What is new on the iPhone 18 Pro?
The Pro models look identical to last year's phones. The upgrade lives in the camera.
A new 48-megapixel sensor uses six tiny blades to control how much light enters the lens, the same idea as a high-end camera. That should mean cleaner shots in dim restaurants and faster capture of moving subjects. New manual controls let you adjust shutter speed, white balance and aperture directly. Video records in 4K Dolby HDR Vision, and cinematic effects can be added after you shoot.
Both models cost $100 more than last year. Pre-orders open this Saturday.
| Model | Starting price | Available |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone Duo | $1,999 | 23 October |
| iPhone 18 Pro | $1,199 | 18 September |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | $1,299 | 18 September |
| Apple Watch Series 12 | $399 | 18 September |
| Apple Watch Ultra 4 | $499 | 18 September |
| AirPods 5 | $129 | 18 September |
What do the new Apple Watches actually do differently?
No dramatic new hardware here, but two software features stand out for everyday use.
"Live Rewind" shows you a scrollable text summary of the last 15 seconds of a conversation. Miss what your colleague just said in a meeting? Glance at your wrist. "Siri Recap" goes further, pulling together the key points from a longer discussion, useful after a parent-teacher evening or a busy shift handover.
For people who are hard of hearing, a new "Sound Recognition" mode alerts you to sirens, doorbells, alarms and a baby crying. That is a genuinely practical addition, not just a headline feature.
AirPods 5 and the Health app
The AirPods 5 cut background noise 50% better than the previous generation and bring stem volume controls, previously a Pro-only feature, down to the standard model. Five hours per charge, 22 hours total with the case.
The Health app redesign, rolling out later this year in US English first, adds a "Readiness" score and a "Health Age" figure calculated from your Apple Watch and iPhone data, covering sleep, movement and heart health. Apple Intelligence, Apple's on-device AI system, ties it together. As with anything that processes health data, it is worth checking Apple's privacy settings to see exactly what stays on your device and what leaves it.
First reported by TechCrunch, the full event recap covers even more detail on each product.
Common questions
Is the iPhone Duo waterproof?
Apple has not confirmed a specific water-resistance rating for the Duo yet, so check the official product page before your next rainy-day outing.
Do the new Apple Watches work with older iPhones?
Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 require an iPhone with a current version of iOS; older iPhones may not support every new feature, so it is worth checking compatibility on Apple's site before upgrading.
Will the Health app share my data with third parties?
Apple says Health data processed by Apple Intelligence stays on your device by default. Still, open the Health app's privacy settings and review any third-party app permissions you have already granted.
