Apple Enters a New Era With iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro and More

Apple never fails to disappoint when it comes to the cinematics of its product launches, and this year’s event was no different. The company opened with not one, but multiple cinematic scenes before finally arriving at the moment that perhaps mattered just as much as the products themselves: Tim Cook handing over to John Ternus with a simple, “That’s your guy,” marking the beginning of a new era for Apple as Ternus takes over as CEO.

From there, Apple got straight into business. This time, there was no base iPhone 18 announcement, with the spotlight instead falling on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, alongside the much-anticipated and long-rumoured iPhone Duo. Apple also unveiled the Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5, making for a surprisingly packed event under Ternus’ first major keynote as CEO.

iPhone Duo: Apple Finally Folds

The biggest reveal of the evening was undoubtedly the iPhone Duo, Apple's first foldable iPhone and arguably its most significant change to the iPhone formula in years. Rather than simply making an iPhone that folds, Apple has approached the Duo as a device designed to transition between two distinct experiences.

Closed, the Duo has a 5.4-inch display, while opening it reveals a 7.6-inch screen, giving users a much larger canvas for multitasking, content and everyday tasks. Apple says that display is 50% larger than the iPhone 18 Pro Max, while the device maintains a consistent aspect ratio across its screens.

The design itself is built around titanium, with carbon-fibre support weights helping to keep the foldable structure rigid without adding unnecessary bulk. The camera is hidden behind the display, while the controls adapt depending on how the device is being used. When folded, controls move to the side, while elements such as the Dock and widgets change to suit the new form factor.

The Duo can also be used partially folded, opening up some interesting possibilities for photography and everyday use. It can even sit partially open like a bedside clock, while Apple Pencil compatibility gives the larger display another layer of functionality. Touch ID returns via the side button, with speakers positioned at the top and bottom of the device.

Apple has also focused heavily on making the Duo feel like an iPhone rather than a tablet that happens to fold. It is IP68 rated, uses eSIM only and houses a battery on each side of the device. Apple claims up to 31 hours of video playback using the inner display and up to 44 hours using the outer display, with 24 hours of usage across both screens. A 50% charge can be achieved in 20 minutes.

Underneath it all is the A20 Pro chip, paired with a vapour chamber cooling system. The camera system consists of a 48MP main camera and 12MP telephoto, with Apple also demonstrating some rather playful ways of using the additional screen real estate. One example showed children being entertained on the display while their parent took a photograph.

The iPhone Duo will start at $1,999 with 256GB of storage and go all the way up to 2TB.

iPhone 18 Pro

While the Duo stole the show, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max remain Apple's core flagship smartphones, and Apple has given both a substantial collection of upgrades.

The biggest performance story is the new A20 Pro, built using 2nm technology. Apple says the chip is 20% faster, delivers 40% faster graphics performance and is the “fastest CPU in a smartphone”, with “desktop class” performance. The company has also redesigned the internal packaging to improve thermal management, with a vapour chamber that is three times larger than before. Apple claims a 40% gain in thermal performance compared with the previous generation.

Battery life has received an equally significant focus. The iPhone 18 Pro now reaches the same level of battery life previously associated with the 17 Pro Max, with Apple quoting up to 36 hours of video playback compared with 45 hours on the Pro Max. That translates to up to 24 hours of usage on the Pro and 30 hours on the Pro Max per charge. Fast charging is also improved, with 50% charge possible in 15 minutes, while just five minutes connected to power can provide up to six hours of video playback.

The camera system gets one of the more interesting upgrades. The 48MP Fusion main camera now features a variable aperture, meaning users can manually control how much light enters the camera system rather than relying entirely on the phone to make that decision.

For users who want more control, Apple is introducing Pro Controls, bringing frequently used settings and manual controls closer to the surface. Apple is also introducing a reference image system designed to help users identify whether an image has been generated or altered by AI.

Apple Intelligence continues to move deeper into the iPhone experience, with Siri receiving a dedicated app that uses iCloud to synchronise information across devices. Siri can also be accessed through the camera, allowing users to ask questions about what they are looking at, while the assistant can draw context from Apple's native apps.

That could mean asking Siri to generate an email, understand information on screen or provide relevant details during a phone call. Apple is also updating its Clean Up tool, adding the ability to extend backgrounds and change the perspective of photographs.

Elsewhere, the Dynamic Island becomes smaller while gaining the ability to display three pieces of information in the background rather than two. AirDrop is also up to 80% faster, while iPhone Handoff now allows users to use the same number across two phones.

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max arrive in Deep Black, Silver, Glacier and Burgundy.

Apple Watch Ultra 4

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 continues Apple's push into the more rugged and performance-focused side of its wearable range, but this generation also brings smarter health and audio features.

Apple claims more than two days of battery life for the Ultra 4, with up to 45 hours available in its maximum extended workout mode. It comes in Black and Natural Titanium, retaining the tougher aesthetic expected from the Ultra range.

The Ultra 4 also benefits from Apple's new Health Sensing System, which increases the sensor surface area to improve readings. Apple describes the new system as delivering its “most accurate heart sensing in a wearable”, with more heart-rate data available to users.

Audio Intelligence adds another layer of awareness, with the watch able to recognise sounds and alert users to things such as a doorbell or a fire truck. Live Rewind can go back 15 seconds and transcribe what was just heard, while Siri Recap can take notes from conversations.

Health features also expand with a VO2 Max test accompanied by video, a new Health Age feature and deeper integration with Apple Intelligence.

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at $799.

Apple Watch Series 12

The Apple Watch Series 12 brings many of the same intelligence and health ambitions into Apple's mainstream smartwatch line.

At the heart of the update is the new Health Sensing System, which uses a larger sensing surface to improve the accuracy and volume of health data being captured. Apple is positioning it as a significant step forward in heart-rate monitoring, with the company claiming its most accurate heart sensing in a wearable.

The Series 12 also gets the new S11 chip, alongside Audio Intelligence features that can recognise sounds around the user. Live Rewind provides a way to return to the previous 15 seconds of audio and transcribe it, while Siri Recap can take notes from conversations.

Design-wise, Apple has expanded the colour options with Space Gray, Black, Light Gold and Bronze, while ceramic returns in Pearl White and Night Blue. Gold and Natural Titanium options are also available.

The Series 12 starts at $499.

AirPods 5

Apple's AirPods 5 may have been the smallest announcement of the event, but they received a useful collection of upgrades.

The standard AirPods 5 now offer 50% more noise reduction compared with AirPods 4, bringing active noise cancellation further down the AirPods range. They also introduce Live Translation, allowing users to translate conversations in real time, while Siri can respond using the new AI capabilities.

Durability has also been improved, with greater resistance to rain, sweat and dust. Battery life reaches four hours with ANC enabled, and the earbuds can also be used as a camera remote.

The AirPods 5 start at $129, while the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case increase that to $149. The latter adds on-stem volume control, similar to the AirPods Pro, as well as up to five hours of battery life with ANC and wireless charging through the case.

South Africa: iStore Confirms What Comes Next

For South Africans waiting to get their hands on the new generation, iStore South Africa has confirmed that pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone Duo will be opening soon.

“At iStore, we are just as passionate about iPhone as our customers are,” says Chris Dodd, CEO of iStore South Africa. “As the only Apple Premium Partner in Africa, we give our customers the widest range of options to get the latest iPhone. No matter how you choose to upgrade, whether on your existing cellular network, taking out a new contract or trading in, we have the solution for you, all backed by free iCarePlus and the people who know iPhone best.”

For the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, pre-orders in South Africa open on 12 September 2026, with the official launch following on 18 September. The iPhone Duo will follow later, with pre-orders opening on 16 October and the official launch on 23 October.

All models will be available through iStore stores, online and via the iStore app. South African pricing is still to be confirmed, but with Apple's first foldable iPhone finally here and a new generation of Pro hardware in tow, this year's Apple event has certainly given South African Apple fans plenty to look forward to.