Apple's foldable iPhone arrives with a steep price and design trade-offs
Apple's latest event unveiled the $2,000 foldable iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 Pro series with advanced variable aperture cameras, while simultaneously upgrading its ecosystem with standard ANC on budget AirPods and significantly improved heart rate tracking on the new Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4.
GSMArena reports that Apple has also refreshed its audio and wearable lines, bringing active noise cancellation to the base $129 AirPods and introducing heart rate sensing every five seconds on the new Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4.
Source: GSMArenaEngadget highlights that the iPhone 18 Pro's camera system features a laser-cut variable aperture with four manual settings (f/1.48 to f/4.0), allowing for improved light control and background blur without sacrificing shutter speed. The publication also notes the inclusion of a 'Reference' mode that generates signed, unalterable sensor data to help verify image authenticity and prevent unauthorized edits.
Source: EngadgetiFixit has voiced significant skepticism regarding the iPhone Duo's serviceability, noting that foldable hinges remain a durability weak point and that even the most repair-friendly competitors like Google only achieve a 4/10 score. The repair experts warn that the new device will likely be difficult and expensive to fix, reinforcing their stance that keeping an existing phone is often the more sustainable option.
Source: iFixit9to5Mac confirms on-site reporting from Apple Park for the 'Surprise and shine' keynote, adding that new CEO John Ternus recently teased a variable aperture feature for the iPhone 18 Pro Max on social media.
Source: 9to5Mac9to5Mac confirms the 'Surprise and shine' keynote is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET today, marking the first major launch under CEO John Ternus. The outlet also expands the expected lineup to include Apple Watch Series 12, Ultra 4, and AirPods 5, alongside a potential but less likely debut for Home products like a new Apple TV 4K.
Source: 9to5MacGSMArena details the iPhone Duo's specific hardware, highlighting a 7.76-inch Samsung display with a 'nearly invisible crease,' the return of Touch ID in the power button, and a 5,500mAh battery. The report also confirms the device will lack a telephoto camera and a physical SIM slot, while noting that the iPhone 18 Pro series will feature a new Dark Cherry color and slightly increased thickness.
Source: GSMArena9to5Mac reports that pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and Duo are confirmed for 5 a.m. PT on September 12, while new details reveal the Pro Max may feature a mechanical aperture and the foldable will support Apple Pencil and iPad-like multitasking.
Source: 9to5Mac9to5Mac reports that Apple's online storefront is currently offline in preparation for the keynote, a standard practice before major hardware reveals. The outlet confirms the event kicks off at 10 AM Pacific Time, with 9to5Mac providing live coverage from Cupertino.
Source: 9to5MacGSMArena confirms the keynote is officially titled 'Surprise and shine' and begins at 5 PM UTC, marking John Ternus's first event as CEO. The outlet also cites Bloomberg to clarify that the foldable device will be named the iPhone Duo rather than the previously rumored iPhone Ultra, with a base price of $2,000.
Source: GSMArenaEngadget confirms the foldable iPhone Ultra is effectively locked in for today's 'Surprise and shine' keynote, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Apple Watch Series 12. The event marks a historic transition, serving as incoming CEO John Ternus's first major presentation following Tim Cook's final keynote in June.
Source: EngadgetApple is set to unveil its first foldable smartphone, rumored to be named the iPhone Ultra. The device arrives with a higher price tag and specific design compromises to make the folding mechanism work.
Source: 9to5Mac
