Apple Fall Event: iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, New Watches and AirPods 5

Apple used its September hardware event to introduce its first foldable iPhone, refresh its flagship Pro phones and expand its wearables with new Apple Watch and AirPods features. The “Surprise and Shine” event was also the company’s first fall product showcase under newly appointed CEO John Ternus.

The biggest announcement was the iPhone Duo, Apple’s first entry into the foldable smartphone market. Apple also unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, AirPods 5 and a redesigned Health app powered in part by Apple Intelligence.

iPhone Duo brings Apple into foldable phones

The iPhone Duo features a 7.6-inch Retina display when opened and a 5.4-inch outer display when closed. Apple said the iPad’s versatility inspired the design, while an under-display camera helps the inner screen look uninterrupted.

Apple rates the Duo for up to 31 hours of video playback using the inner display and up to 44 hours on the outer screen. Its camera system includes a 48-megapixel Fusion main camera and a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera, while the folding design allows users to take rear-camera selfies with previews shown on the outer display.

The hinge uses more than 100 specially engineered components, with Apple emphasising durability as a central part of the design. The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 with 256GB of storage, comes in two colours, and will be available for preorder Oct. 16 before reaching stores Oct. 23.

iPhone 18 Pro focuses on camera upgrades

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max retain a familiar overall design but introduce a major camera update. A new 48-megapixel main sensor uses a variable aperture controlled by six blades, while new Pro controls include adjustments for white balance, shutter speed and aperture, along with a histogram.

Apple is also adding expanded Photographic Styles with texture and grain controls. The phones can record 4K video in Dolby Vision HDR and apply cinematic effects after capture.

The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 and the Pro Max at $1,299, each $100 more than the previous generation. Preorders open Sept. 12, with both models becoming available Sept. 18.

Apple Watch adds conversation and sound intelligence

Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 introduce new Audio Intelligence features rather than a major visual redesign. Sound Recognition can detect sounds including sirens, alarms, doorbells and a baby crying and alert the wearer.

Live Rewind can show a text recap of the previous 15 seconds of a conversation, while Siri Recap summarises key information from everyday discussions such as meetings or parent-teacher conferences. Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399, while Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at $799, with availability beginning Sept. 18.

AirPods 5 expand noise cancellation and Siri features

AirPods 5 arrive with improved sound, stronger active noise cancellation and additional Siri and Apple Intelligence capabilities. Apple says the new earbuds can reduce external noise by up to 50% more than AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. At the same time, an updated Transparency mode is designed to make nearby voices and ambient sounds feel more natural.

AirPods 5 provide up to five hours of listening with active noise cancellation, with the charging case extending total listening time to 22 hours. The standard model costs $129, while AirPods 5 with a Wireless Charging Case cost $149 and add on-stem volume control. Both become available Sept. 18.

Apple Health gets Intelligence-powered redesign

Apple also announced a redesigned Health app that uses Apple Intelligence to organise and interpret health information. A new Insights tab surfaces timely health information and personalised guidance, while Readiness assesses a user’s capacity for the day.

A new Longevity section includes Health Age, which uses health metrics collected through Apple Watch and iPhone to show how certain measurements compare with a user’s actual age. The redesigned Health app is scheduled to roll out later this year, beginning in U.S. English.