Apple had a pretty big night. The September 9 Apple Event delivered the usual next-generation iPhone upgrades, but this time there was a much bigger surprise waiting at the end.
After introducing the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, Apple finally unveiled something we’ve been hearing about for years: iPhone Duo, Apple‘s first-ever foldable iPhone.
And it is easily the headline of the entire event.
Alongside the new iPhones, Apple also introduced Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5, while pushing Apple Intelligence further across the ecosystem.
Here’s everything you need to know.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Get Serious
Before Apple dropped its biggest surprise, it introduced the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Both models feature the new A20 Pro chip, designed to deliver a major jump in performance, graphics and on-device AI. Apple has also redesigned the thermal system with a much larger vapour chamber to help sustain performance during demanding tasks.
The Pro models now come in Burgundy, Glacier, Silver and Black, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays respectively.
But photography is where things get particularly interesting.
The new 48MP Pro Fusion camera system introduces the first variable aperture on an iPhone, giving users more control over light and depth of field. The system also includes a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide and 48MP Fusion Telephoto camera with up to 8x optical-quality zoom.
Apple is also offering up to 2TB of storage for the first time.
For Australia, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at A$2,099, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at A$2,299. Pre-orders open September 12, with availability beginning September 18.
Then Apple Said: One More Thing…
And this was the moment everyone was waiting for.
Apple finally revealed iPhone Duo.
This is Apple’s first foldable iPhone, and rather than simply folding a standard iPhone in half, Apple has redesigned iOS around the new form factor.
Closed, Duo features a 5.4-inch outer display. Open it up and you’re looking at a massive 7.6-inch inner Super Retina XDR display, making it the largest display ever put into an iPhone.
The inner display also features a special nano-texture finish designed to reduce reflections and make the fold less noticeable.
Both displays support ProMotion, Always-On and up to 3,000 nits of outdoor brightness.
And yes, Apple Pencil support is coming later this year.
A Foldable That Actually Changes How You Use an iPhone
The hardware is only half the story.
Apple has redesigned iOS 27 around Duo’s two-screen experience.
When you open the phone, apps can automatically expand onto the larger display, while multitasking lets you run two apps side-by-side.
You can have Messages open alongside Mail, browse the web while watching video, or position the device in different ways to create what Apple calls a more flexible experience.
Duo can also be partially folded into different positions, essentially turning the phone into its own stand.
Apple has also moved Face ID away from the equation, with Touch ID built into the side button.
Underneath it all is the A20 Pro chip, supported by a redesigned thermal system and two batteries positioned within the two halves of the device.
The result is an iPhone that feels more like a phone when closed and something closer to a mini tablet when opened.
The Camera Gets a Foldable Makeover
Apple hasn’t forgotten photography either.
iPhone Duo features a 48MP Dual Fusion camera system, combining a 48MP Fusion Main and 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera.
There’s also up to 2x optical-quality zoom, 4K Dolby Vision video at up to 120fps and improved low-light video.
But one of the coolest features is Duo Preview.
When you’re taking a photo of someone, the person you’re photographing can see themselves on the outer display before you take the shot.
And because Duo has cameras on both sides of the device, Apple is leaning heavily into the idea of using the entire phone as a creative tool rather than simply another camera phone.
iPhone Duo Is Coming to Australia
This is the part that will hurt the wallet.
In Australia, iPhone Duo starts at A$3,499.
It will be available in Night Sky and Star White, with 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB storage options.
Australian customers can buy iPhone Duo from Apple and selected carriers and retailers from October 23, 2026.
At A$3,499, this is definitely not replacing the regular iPhone.
It’s Apple entering an entirely new category.
AirPods 5 Bring ANC to More People
Apple also introduced AirPods 5, and this might be one of the more interesting upgrades for everyday users.
The new open-ear AirPods now feature Active Noise Cancellation, with Apple claiming up to 50 per cent more noise reduction than AirPods 4 with ANC.
There’s also a redesigned acoustic architecture, next-generation Adaptive EQ, improved Transparency mode and Personalised Spatial Audio.
And Apple is pushing its AI features here too.
AirPods 5 can access Siri AI hands-free, while head gestures allow users to respond to Siri without touching their phone.
Then there’s Live Translation, allowing AirPods to help translate conversations across supported languages.
Australian pricing starts at A$219, while AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case cost A$249.
Both are available from September 18.
Apple Watch Series 12 Is Getting Smarter About Your Health
The new Apple Watch Series 12 might look familiar, but underneath it Apple has introduced a completely new Health Sensing System.
The biggest addition is Readiness.
Instead of simply showing you a collection of health statistics, Apple Watch analyses your activity, sleep and vital signs to give you a daily score from 0–10.
The result is a simple recommendation:
Recover. Pace Yourself. Ready. Go For It.
The new system also measures heart rate and heart rate variability more frequently, giving users a better picture of stress and recovery.
There’s also a redesigned Health app coming later this year with features including Health Age and a new Longevity section.
Apple Watch Series 12 starts at A$649 in Australia, with availability from September 18.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Is Built for the Long Haul
For the adventure crowd, Apple also introduced Apple Watch Ultra 4.
The new Ultra keeps its rugged titanium design but gets the same Health Sensing System and S11 chip found in Series 12.
The headline upgrade?
Battery life.
Ultra 4 can provide up to 50 hours of everyday battery life, with up to 84 hours in Low Power Mode.
For serious outdoor workouts, Max Extended Workout mode can track runs, walks and hikes for up to 45 hours, with GPS and heart-rate readings continuing throughout.
There’s also the new Readiness feature, higher-frequency HRV measurements, satellite connectivity and new Audio Intelligence features.
In Australia, Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at A$1,349, with availability from September 18.
Apple Intelligence Gets Even More Personal
Running through all of these announcements is Apple’s bigger push into Apple Intelligence.
With iOS 27, Apple is making Siri more conversational and more aware of personal context, while keeping privacy at the centre of the experience.
Siri AI can understand information across apps and help users take actions without having to manually jump between them.
Apple is also introducing features like Live Translation, while Apple Watch gains tools such as Siri Recap and Live Rewind.
For example, Live Rewind can transcribe the last 15 seconds of a conversation, allowing you to quickly go back to something you might have missed.
It’s a much bigger shift towards Apple Intelligence becoming something you interact with throughout the entire Apple ecosystem rather than simply another feature on your iPhone.
So, What’s the Big Story?
There were plenty of announcements last night, but there’s really one that stands above everything else.
iPhone Duo.
Apple has spent years watching Samsung, Google and others experiment with foldable phones. Now it’s finally entering the category, but in typical Apple fashion, it’s not simply presenting a folding screen.
It’s trying to rethink what an iPhone can actually be.
A phone when you need it.
A bigger screen when you want it.
A device that can stand, fold, multitask and adapt to how you’re using it.
At A$3,499, it’s certainly not going to be for everyone.
But that’s probably not the point.
Apple has officially entered the foldable era.
And things are about to get interesting.
The Apple September 2026 Line-Up
iPhone 18 Pro — From A$2,099
iPhone 18 Pro Max — From A$2,299
iPhone Duo — From A$3,499
Apple Watch Series 12 — From A$649
Apple Watch Ultra 4 — From A$1,349
AirPods 5 — From A$219
AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case — A$249
September 12: iPhone 18 Pro & Pro Max pre-orders
September 15: iOS 27 and Apple Intelligence availability
September 18: iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, Apple Watch and AirPods 5 availability
October 23: iPhone Duo arrives in Australia
Apple has officially entered its next chapter and honestly, that “One more thing…” was worth the wait.
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