Apple held its annual event overnight, showcasing the brand-new phones that will grace us by the end of 2026. While the usual suspects were shown off here, including a new Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch and AirPods, there was a slightly larger, heavily rumoured device that’s sure to get everyone talking. So let’s dive in.
iPhone Duo — Apple’s first foldable iPhone
As you can imagine, this was by far the biggest announcement.
The iPhone Duo makes its grand entrance as the first-ever foldable iPhone, both a compact, passport-like device when closed and a larger, almost iPad Mini-like display when open.
Key specs include:
- 7.6-inch internal display
- 5.4-inch external display
- Titanium construction
- The new A20 Pro chip
- Dual-battery design
- New cooling system
- Touch ID built into the side button
- Apple Pencil support
- Split-screen multitasking
- Up to 2TB storage
- New C2 modem
Apple also featured software heavily alongside the iPhone Duo, highlighting the various multitasking windows and gestures that make using multiple apps a breeze in multiple positions.
The Duo starts at A3,499 with 256GB of storage.
Pre-orders will begin on Friday, the 16th of October at 11 pm AEDT, with the Duo arriving later than both Pro phones on the 23rd of October.
iPhone 18 Pro & 18 Pro Max
As many would have expected, the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max were also announced.
The biggest improvements here are mainly towards the camera system, performance and AI.
Camera
The headline camera feature is a new variable aperture system, giving the main camera much greater control over how much light enters the lens. This will essentially allow for:
- Better low-light photography
- More control over depth of field
- Improved portraits
- More flexibility for photographers
Apple is also adding more professional camera controls and new AI-powered photo features to the already fantastic 48MP main lens.
Performance
Both Pro models will also use the new A20 Pro chip, which boasts around 20% faster CPU and GPU performance when compared to the 17 Pro.
That being said, the newer focus feels like it’s based on AI performance and efficiency, with an improved thermal system to allow the chip to sustain high performance for longer.
The phones also get Apple’s newer C2 modem, moving further toward Apple’s own cellular technology.
Storage
The Pro models can now be configured with up to 2TB of storage. Like last year, both models will also be starting from 256gb.
Pricing for the iPhone 18 Pro will start at A$2,099, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max will start at US$2,299.
As for the remaining range, it’s worth noting that no standard iPhone 18 was announced at this event, and Apple appears to be keeping that model for a later release, potentially along with the iPhone 18e.
Apple Watch Series 12 & Ultra 4
The biggest focus this year is on improved health monitoring accuracy.
New health features
Apple introduced a redesigned Health Sensing System, with significantly more frequent and accurate heart-rate measurements.
The new system can collect high-frequency heart-rate data as often as every five seconds.
There’s also:
- Improved sleep tracking
- A new Readiness score
- More personalised health recommendations
- Improved health insights
- New audio intelligence features
- Siri Recap
The watch can also use its microphones to capture and transcribe snippets of conversations around you, with Apple’s demonstration showing the watch transcribing a restaurant server’s specials.
Apple Watch Series 12 starts at A$649.There’s also a ceramic version starting at A$1,599.
The Ultra 4 is still Apple’s answer to the most rugged/fitness Apple Watch and best battery life, complete with:
- New S11 chip
- Redesigned health sensors
- More advanced heart-rate monitoring
- Improved battery performance
- Readiness tracking
- Audio Intelligence
- Siri Recap
- Rugged design aimed at outdoor users
AirPods 5
The AirPods 5 were also announced here, but they feel less dramatic this year. Apple has included Active Noise Cancellation as standard in its base option, with a 50% improvement in noise reduction..
They will include:
- Active Noise Cancellation
- New acoustic architecture
- Improved sound
- Up to five hours of playback with ANC
An advanced version with wireless charging will also include:
- Wireless charging case
- Apple Watch/Qi charging compatibility
- Touch/swipe volume controls on the stem
- Extended battery features
The standard AirPods 5 will cost A$219, while the upgraded wireless charging case version will cost A$249.
Both versions will launch on the 18th of September.
iOS 27
Finally, Apple confirmed that their next software iteration, iOS 27, will launch on the 14th of September. This will obviously come to all the new phones, but will also be available on a few older phones if you want a fresh feel.
The update brings the new generation of Apple’s interface and AI features, including:
- New Siri AI capabilities
- Further Liquid Glass refinements
- New UI changes
- Additional AI-powered functionality
Siri’s more advanced AI capabilities will initially be limited by language/region availability, with further languages coming later.
Featured header image provided by Apple.
