GoKawiil
Tech News
Apple has opened trade-in credit for iPhone Air and iPhone 17 ahead of new successor models, offering up to $585 for either device despite the iPhone Air costing $200 more at retail after this week's price hikes. The iPhone 17 now starts at $899 and the iPhone Air at $1099, yet both receive identical trade-in valuations.
Apple's iPhone 18 generation launches without a standard model, offering instead the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a new folding iPhone Duo. The Pro models are up for preorder September 12 and ship September 18, while the Duo opens preorders October 16 ahead of an October 23 release. Rumors point to a cheaper standard iPhone, an 18e, and a second-generation Air arriving as early as spring 2027.
A Geekbench 6 benchmark result attributed to Apple's unreleased A20 Pro chip has surfaced online, showing single-core and multi-core scores roughly 25% higher than the current A19 Pro. The chip, built on a 2nm process, is expected to power the upcoming iPhone Duo foldable and iPhone 18 Pro models, with clock speeds nearing 5 GHz.
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.