GoKawiil
Tech News
In the latest episode of 9to5Mac Overtime, hosts Jeff Benjamin and Fernando Silva shared their initial reactions to the iPhone Duo, described as Apple's first foldable smartphone. The podcast episode is sponsored by Bitwarden, which is promoting a free virtual security summit on September 17.
GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu says Apple's $100 price increase on iPhone 18 Pro models was less than the $200-250 markets anticipated, while the new $1,999 iPhone Duo landed at the low end of expected pricing. Pu forecasts Apple will ship about 7 million iPhone Duo units by year-end, citing strong early consumer interest in the foldable-style device.
Apple introduced its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, at a launch event where CEO John Ternus showed off the $2,000 passport-style device with dual 48-megapixel rear cameras. The phone opens for preorder Oct. 16 and hits stores Oct. 23, arriving years after competitors already established the foldable phone category. CNET staff writers offered varied reactions, from excitement about foldables regaining relevance to skepticism about buying the very first version.
Counterpoint Research forecasts that Apple will secure a 27% share of foldable smartphone panel shipments in 2026, the year its iPhone Duo debuts, trailing Samsung's 33% but edging out Huawei's 25%. By 2030, Apple's shipments are projected to jump 167% from their partial-year 2026 base, pushing its share to 42% while Samsung and Huawei both lose ground.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro both pack triple rear-camera systems with roughly 48-50MP sensors and telephoto lenses reaching high zoom levels, but their approaches differ sharply. Google leans on AI to automate exposure, night shots, and zoom via features like Instant Night Sight and Pro Zoom, while Apple adds a variable-aperture lens and manual controls for shutter speed and white balance alongside a new anti-fakery Reference Image tool.
Apple has begun selling accessories for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max in its stores, a week before the phones launch and a day before pre-orders open. The lineup includes a $49 Silicone Case, a redesigned Clear Case with MagSafe, a $59 TechWoven Case, updated FineWoven Wallets, and a new $29 Wrist Strap made from recycled polyester with embedded magnets.
Apple will roll out iOS 27 to all users on September 15, with the first iOS 27.1 beta expected within about a week based on past release patterns. The company has confirmed iOS 27.1 will ship no later than October 23, timed to coincide with the launch of the new iPhone Duo, likely landing between October 19 and 21.
Apple opens iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max pre-orders Saturday at 8 a.m. ET, a day later than usual due to the date falling on 9/11. Customers can use Apple's 'Get Ready' feature in the Apple Store app or website to pre-select their model, accessories, financing and trade-in details ahead of time, speeding up checkout once orders go live. That setup window closes Friday night at 9 p.m. PT, despite a press release typo listing the cutoff as 9 a.m.
Apple quietly confirmed in a footnote to its iPhone 18 Pro announcement that existing iPhone 14, 15, and 16 users will keep free access to its satellite connectivity features for an extra year beyond the standard two-year trial. The extension applies automatically to anyone who activated their device before midnight PT on September 9 in a supported country, marking the third time Apple has prolonged this free trial.
A photography guide explains that Apple's new iPhone 18 Pro has a slightly wider variable aperture (f/1.48 vs f/1.78) than its predecessor, theoretically producing shallower depth of field. However, it outlines four techniques—Portrait mode, Macro mode, shooting close to a subject, and using the telephoto lens—that let owners of older iPhones create similar background-blur effects without upgrading.
Following the debut of Apple's first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, at $1,999, commentary suggests Apple should now build smaller flip-style and larger tablet-style foldables similar to Samsung's Z Flip and Lenovo's X1 Fold. The idea is that Apple has proven it can engineer a durable hinge and thin foldable body, making it easier to scale that design up or down for new devices.
Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo, its first folding phone, at a recent event, drawing comparisons to both Microsoft's 2020 dual-screen Duo and Apple's own iPad Mini. The device supports Apple Pencil input and some split-screen app functionality reminiscent of iPad multitasking, though Apple describes it only as 'inspired by' the iPad rather than a replacement for it. Pricing is expected to start around $2,000.