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Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max feature a Main camera with a wider f/1.48 maximum aperture, up from f/1.7 on last year's models. While variable aperture is the marquee addition to the camera system, this fixed aperture upgrade may matter more to everyday users who don't touch the phone's manual Pro controls.
Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone Duo, its first foldable phone, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, and AirPods 5 at its recent event. Comparing published specs, the iPhone Duo closely mirrors Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 in screen size and brightness, but differs in resolution, weight, chip, and camera setup, with Apple's device notably heavier at 254g versus Samsung's 201g. The iPhone Duo launches October 23, though Apple has not yet disclosed battery capacity.
Alongside its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo launches, Apple introduced a new Wrist Strap accessory made from recycled PET yarns with embedded magnets. The 15.4-inch strap attaches to select official iPhone cases for the 18 Pro, Pro Max, and 17 lineup, as well as AirPods Pro, letting users carry either hands-free on their wrist. It's priced at $29 and comes in six colors including Burgundy, Crisp Blue, and Black.
At Apple's keynote unveiling new iPhones, the standout for this writer wasn't the visually striking iPhone Duo but the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, both of which now include a variable aperture lens with manual control options. Apple also appears to be pairing this hardware change with computational photography to improve Portrait mode results, based on sample images shown at the event.
Apple's fall event, the first led by CEO John Ternus, introduced the foldable iPhone Duo and larger iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, but notably skipped a standard non-Pro iPhone 18. Analysts expect Apple to release a cheaper mainline iPhone in a separate spring event, similar to past SE launches. The entry price for new iPhones announced Wednesday rose to $1,199, while the iPhone 17 saw a $100 price hike to $899.
Apple has revealed its newest iPhone lineup, including the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its debut foldable model, the iPhone Duo. Pre-order windows and shipping timelines have been laid out for customers eager to secure the new devices before general availability.
Apple has begun accepting preorders for its Series 12 and Ultra 4 smartwatches, both powered by the new S11 chip with upgraded audio and sensor features. The Series 12 starts at $399 for the 42mm model, with a ceramic case option returning for the first time since the Series 5 at $899, while the Ultra 4 starts at $799 with GPS and 5G support. Both devices, available through Apple, Amazon, and Best Buy, ship September 18th alongside the iPhone 18 Pro line.
Apple says the iPhone 18 Pro charges 0-50% in about 15 minutes, roughly 5 minutes quicker than the iPhone 17 Pro, but only when paired with its 40W dynamic power adapter and a USB-C cable supporting 60W output. That adapter is currently the only one meeting Apple's requirement for USB PD 3.1 with Adjustable Voltage Supply. Wireless charging via MagSafe with a 35W brick reaches 0-50% in about 30 minutes.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, unveiled at its 'Surprise and shine' event, introduce a mechanical variable aperture camera with four selectable f-stops plus an automatic mode. Testing at Apple Park showed the feature can produce sharp starburst effects around bright light sources, a result of how the physical aperture blades converge when stopped down.
Apple detailed its A20 Pro chip, which will power the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Duo. Built on a 2nm process, the chip features a six-core CPU with two new 'super cores' up to 20% faster than the A19 Pro, a redesigned seven-core GPU with 40% better graphics performance, and a dual Neural Engine offering twice the AI compute of its predecessor. Apple also boosted memory bandwidth by 50% and added neural accelerators to every CPU core.
Apple unveiled two new AirPods 5 models at its Surprise and Shine event, bringing Active Noise Cancellation to its standard earbuds lineup starting at $129. The new models feature a redesigned acoustic architecture, deeper Siri AI integration, improved transparency mode, and better dust and water resistance rated IP57, up from IP54 on the AirPods 4.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max introduce a mechanical variable aperture ranging from f/1.48 to f/4, alongside new manual controls for shutter speed, white balance, and focus built directly into the native camera app. These capabilities previously required third-party apps like Halide, but are now integrated natively.