Apple has turned a new page in its iPhone story – quite literally. Its September 2026 event introduced the iPhone Duo, the company’s first foldable phone, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.
While the new handsets commanded the spotlight, there was plenty happening elsewhere, with the Apple Watch Series 12, Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5 completing a busy line-up of launches.
From folding screens to smarter wearables, here’s everything you need to know about Apple’s latest announcements.
Apple event 2026: Key announcements
- iPhone Duo – Apple’s first foldable iPhone opens into a larger display for entertainment and multitasking, powered by the new A20 Pro chip.
- iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max – Upgraded cameras, longer battery life and faster performance headline the latest Pro models.
- Apple Watch Series 12 – Improved health sensors and new Siri AI features bring smarter everyday tracking.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4 – Greater battery endurance joins upgraded health tracking and intelligent features.
- AirPods 5 – Enhanced noise cancellation, improved sound and new controls refresh Apple’s open-ear earbuds.
iPhone Duo – A new chapter for Apple
Apple has finally joined the fold. The iPhone Duo takes the familiar iPhone experience and opens it up, quite literally, with a book-style design built around two displays.
A 5.4-inch outer screen handles everyday scrolling and messaging, while unfolding the titanium body reveals a 7.6-inch inner display for watching, gaming and getting more done. Apple says its nano-texture finish reduces reflections and makes the central crease less noticeable.
The larger screen also brings two apps side by side, letting you check your calendar while replying to messages or compare two Safari windows. Support for the USB-C Apple Pencil arrives later this year, adding another option for notes and sketches. These are familiar ideas for Android foldable users, but a significant change for anyone sticking with an iPhone.
Power comes from the A20 Pro chip, also found in the new Pro models. Photography centres on two 48MP rear cameras, with Duo Preview allowing whoever you’re photographing to see the shot on the outer screen. An under-display camera handles calls when unfolded, while Touch ID sits in the side button.
Apple claims up to 31 hours of video playback on the inner screen, rising to 44 hours on the outer display. Wired charging can replenish 50% in around 20 minutes with a suitable adapter.
Available in Star White and Night Sky, the Duo launches on 23rd October, with pre-orders opening on 16th October. It’s firmly a premium proposition, but easily the event’s most intriguing new arrival.
iPhone 18 Pro & Pro Max – Sharpening their camera credentials
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max put photography front and centre, introducing a 48MP main camera with variable aperture. This physically adjusts how much light enters the lens, helping brighten darker scenes or keep more people in focus during group shots.
New Pro controls also bring manual adjustments for aperture, shutter speed and white balance directly into the Camera app. For video enthusiasts, there’s 4K Dolby Vision time-lapse recording and the option to add Cinematic effects after filming.
Both phones run on the A20 Pro chip, with improved graphics and AI processing, while a redesigned vapour chamber helps manage heat during demanding games and other intensive tasks. A smaller Dynamic Island can now display three Live Activities simultaneously, keeping more updates within easy reach.
The main choice remains size: the Pro has a 6.3-inch display, while the Pro Max stretches to 6.9 inches. Apple rates the UK models for up to 34 and 43 hours of video playback, respectively, with both supporting a 50% wired charge in around 15 minutes using a suitable adapter.
There’s also Siri AI, arriving in beta with iOS 27, which can use personal context and onscreen information to help with everyday tasks.
Both models come in Black, Silver, Glacier and Burgundy, with storage options from 256GB to 2TB. Pre-orders open on 12th September, ahead of their 18th September release.
Watch Series 12 & Ultra 4 – Smarter on your wrist
Apple’s latest watches share a focus on health and intelligence. Both the Series 12 and Ultra 4 feature the new S11 chip and redesigned sensors that measure heart rate every five seconds. A new Readiness score combines activity, sleep and other metrics to help you judge whether to push yourself or take things easier.
Siri also gains new capabilities, including two optional features arriving in beta later this year with a compatible iPhone. Live Rewind displays a text snippet of the previous 15 seconds of conversation, while Siri Recap creates brief summaries to revisit later.
The Series 12 keeps its familiar appearance, adding tougher Ceramic Shield 2 protection to aluminium models and new ceramic finishes. Apple claims up to 24 hours of everyday battery life, with faster charging providing up to 12 hours of use in 15 minutes.
The rugged titanium Ultra 4 stretches that endurance to 50 hours, or 84 hours in Low Power Mode. Its Extended Workout mode supports up to 25 hours of tracking with full GPS and heart-rate readings, giving outdoor enthusiasts more breathing room between charges.
Both watches launch on 18th September.
AirPods 5 – Turn down the outside world
AirPods 5 bring Active Noise Cancellation to both versions, with Apple claiming up to 50% more noise reduction than AirPods 4 with ANC. A redesigned acoustic system promises richer sound while retaining the open-ear fit.
Adaptive Audio adjusts noise cancellation to your surroundings, while Live Translation helps with conversations in supported languages when paired with a compatible iPhone.
The version with a Wireless Charging Case adds swipe-to-adjust volume controls and up to five hours of listening with ANC, extending to 22 hours with the case.
The AirPods 5 arrive on 18th September.
