Apple's First Foldable Phone
Apple Announces iPhone 18 Pro and First Foldable iPhone Duo with Advanced Cameras
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All three new phones run iOS 27, which adds AI-assisted tools for extending and reframing photos after they are taken. Apple also introduced expanded parental controls and new Cycle Tracking support for perimenopause and menopause monitoring.
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The iPhone 18 Pro models include a smaller Dynamic Island, IP68 water- and dust-resistance, and a flashlight that can double as a soft notification light for calls or when voice activation is triggered.
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Apple said the variable-aperture system uses laser-cut blades to make smooth transitions possible. The four manual aperture settings are f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8 and f/4.0, allowing users to adjust background blur and depth of field.
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The new phones have Apple’s largest iPhone battery yet, with up to 30 hours of battery life per charge. The iPhone 18 Pro will be offered in Deep Black, Silver, Glacier and Burgundy, while the iPhone Duo will come in Star White and Night Sky.
Apple announced three new flagship phones on September 9, 2026: the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max launching September 18 starting at $1,199, and the iPhone Duo foldable arriving October 23 at $1,999. Apple showcased a 48-megapixel main camera with a mechanical variable-aperture system, the new 2-nanometer A20 Pro chip, and expanded AI features—though Apple Intelligence will be blocked in the European Union at launch.
The iPhone 18 Pro models deliver up to 30 hours of battery life per charge, the longest in any iPhone to date. The iPhone Duo features a 7.6-inch inner foldable display and multitasking features designed for power users, marking Apple's entry into the foldable market seven years after competitors like Samsung launched their Galaxy Fold series.
Variable Aperture Puts Creative Control in Your Hands
The iPhone 18 Pro's 48-megapixel Fusion main camera uses six laser-cut mechanical blades to adjust aperture across four manual settings: f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8, and f/4.0. Apple says this captures 50% more light in dark conditions compared to previous models. Unlike older phones that rely on software to blur backgrounds, a physical aperture lets photographers control depth of field directly, similar to professional cameras.
This shift matters because it moves creative power away from artificial intelligence algorithms and toward the photographer. PCMag notes the variable aperture works alongside new Pro Controls, AI-powered subject tracking, and expanded color tools. Users can now shoot 4K Dolby Vision at up to 120 fps and record cinematic effects at 4K Dolby Vision 60 fps, giving professionals more flexibility in workflows.
iPhone Duo Foldable Targets Premium Power Users
Apple's first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, opens to a 7.6-inch inner display with a 5.4-inch outer cover screen. Apple CEO John Ternus called it "the most transformational change to iPhone since the original," emphasizing how hardware and software design work together in the foldable format. Priced at $1,999, the Duo positions itself as a premium alternative to traditional flagships.
The device enables true multitasking—running two apps side by side on the larger inner screen—and features Apple's largest battery to date. MKBHD highlighted how the Duo competes directly with Samsung's Galaxy Fold line, but at a price point testing whether consumers will pay nearly $2,000 for a folding phone. Pre-orders begin October 16, with retail launch on October 23.
Regulatory Blocks Split iPhone Capabilities by Country
Apple Intelligence and upgraded Siri AI features will be unavailable in the European Union at launch due to regulatory compliance checks under the Digital Markets Act. Apple also disabled Apple Reference Image—a photo verification tool designed to prove images came directly from the camera—in the EU and China to satisfy local regulations. The same hardware becomes functionally different depending on where it's sold.
This fragmentation reveals how privacy and security rules can complicate global product launches. MacRumors reported that iOS 27, running on all three new phones, adds AI-powered photo editing tools for reframing and extending images after capture, plus expanded parental controls and cycle tracking for perimenopause and menopause monitoring. European customers will miss core AI features despite paying identical prices to buyers in other regions.
Pro Models Offer Incremental Upgrades Over Previous Generation
Early reviewers characterize the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max as iterative refinements rather than revolutionary leaps. 9to5Mac and MKBHD note that while the variable aperture is genuine innovation, the overall design and performance improvements are modest compared to the iPhone 17 Pro. Both 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch models feature a smaller Dynamic Island, IP68 water- and dust-resistance, and a flashlight that doubles as a soft notification light.
The A20 Pro chip delivers a 20% faster CPU and 40% faster GPU with double the AI compute capacity compared to the previous generation. PhoneArena reports the Pro models come in Deep Black, Silver, Glacier, and Burgundy, while the iPhone Duo launches in Star White and Night Sky. AppleInsider raised durability concerns about the laser-cut aperture blades in the event of drops, though Apple has not disclosed failure rates.
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